bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Experimental evaluation of a modified Amplatzer duct occluder
Authors: Kong Huafu , Gu Xiaoping , Bass John L. , Titus Jack , Urness Myra , Kim Tae‐Hoon , Hunter David W.
Published: August 2002

The purpose of this study was to evaluate a new device specifically designed for patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) occlusion based on PDA anatomy. Percutaneous closure of aortopulmonary shunts was attempted in 10 dogs. Shunts were surgically created in the location and orientation of PDA. The occlusion prosthesis consisted of a cylindrical frame filled with polyester and a 32° angled retention disk. The delivery system of the device included a 6 Fr thin‐walled Teflon introducing sheath, an antirotating delivery catheter, and cable. Complete occlusion of the shunt was obtained in nine animals. One animal died before device placement. Temporary hemolysis occurred in one dog after device placement. The disk of device was completely covered by smooth glistening neoendothelium at 1–3 months postmortem examination. None of the devices protruded into the lumen of the aorta. The device is an improvement over the standard Amplatzer duct occluder. The angled retention disk lies flatly against the aortic wall, avoiding turbulence or an aortic pressure gradient. Cathet Cardiovasc Intervent 2001;53:571–576. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The elective use of the seven‐cell NIR stent in coronary arteries < 2.75 mm in diameter: Clinical and angiographic results at 6‐month follow‐up
Authors: Eccleshall Simon C. , Jones Heather , Lichfield Maureen , Jordan Paul J. , Buller Nigel P. , Townend Jonathan N.
Published: August 2002

The outcome of interventional procedures has been improved by the use of coronary stents in vessels > 3.0 mm in diameter. We report a single‐center prospective study of elective coronary stenting in 39 consecutive patients with de novo lesions and reference diameters < 2.75 mm. Seven‐cell NIR stents were deployed with standard antiplatelet therapy, but without routine use of IIb/IIIa inhibitors or intravascular ultrasound. There was one case of acute stent thrombosis, but no cases of subacute thrombosis. The binary restenosis rate was 27.8% (10/36 lesions) and the target lesion revascularization rate was 19.4%. Symptoms improved markedly as judged by Canadian Cardiovascular Society and questionnaire scores and the use of antianginal therapy. This pilot study suggests that the elective use of coronary stents in vessels < 2.75 mm in diameter is safe with acceptable long‐term results. A randomized trial comparing outcomes after stents and balloon angioplasty in small vessels is required. Cathet Cardiovasc Intervent 2001;54:174–179. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Transcatheter treatment of coronary artery disease and atrial septal defect with sequential implantation of coronary stent and Amplatzer septal occluder: Preliminary results
Authors: Onorato Eustaquio , Pera Isidoro , Lanzone Alberto , Ambrosini Vittorio , Rubino Paolo , Trabattoni Daniela , Pepi Mauro , Bartorelli Antonio L.
Published: August 2002

Coronary stent implantation had been established as a highly effective revascularization technique in patients with occlusive coronary artery disease. Transcatheter closure of atrial septal defects is becoming a definite alternative to surgery in properly selected patients. During a 19‐month period, 6 patients (50% women; mean age, 58 ± 17 years; range, 32–73 years) of a consecutive series of 176 prospective multicenter registry patients undergoing transcatheter atrial septal defect closure were treated with sequential percutaneous coronary revascularization and Amplatzer septal occluder implantation. Indication for revascularization was stable angina in four patients and unstable angina in two. Indication for defect closure was significant left‐to‐right shunt with right ventricular enlargement. Defect diameter ranged from 13 to 20 mm by transesophageal echocardiography, and the stretched diameter measured 13 to 25 mm. Procedural success of both interventions was achieved in all cases without in‐hospital complications. A total of seven stents were successfully implanted in five coronary vessels. No stent was used in one patient after successful PTCA. Immediate total closure of the defect was obtained in five patients. Trivial residual shunting, observed in one patient, disappeared at 24 hr. No adverse cardiac events, recurrence of anginal symptoms, or evidence of residual shunt were observed at clinical and echocardiographic follow‐up, which ranged from 60 to 390 days (mean, 258 ± 150 days). These results suggest that sequential transcatheter therapy of coronary artery disease and atrial septal defect is safe and efficacious in selected patients. Cathet Cardiovasc Intervent 2001;54:454–458. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Treatment of coronary artery disease in hemodialysis patients: PTCA vs. stent
Authors: Malanuk Robert M. , Nielsen Christopher D. , Theis Paul , Assey Michael E. , Usher Bruce W. , Leman Robert B.
Published: August 2002

This retrospective study examined the utilization of coronary stent placement versus PTCA in hemodialysis patients with obstructive coronary disease. Prior studies have demonstrated suboptimal results with PTCA owing primarily to high rates of restenosis. We identified 19 hemodialysis patients who received a percutaneous coronary intervention who were matched with individuals without renal failure undergoing same vessel revascularization. Our study found that 71% of hemodialysis patients receiving PTCA had a recurrent cardiac event defined by subsequent angina, myocardial infarction, or cardiac death. At follow‐up, 30% of patients who received stent placement had recurrent cardiac events. Intracoronary stent placement is both safe and feasible and produces more favorable clinical outcomes in the management of coronary disease in hemodialysis patients. Cathet Cardiovasc Intervent 2001;54:459–463. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Could plasmid‐mediated gene transfer into the myocardium be augmented by left ventricular guided laser myocardial injury?
Authors: Fuchs Shmuel , Baffour Richard , Shou Matie , Stabile Eugenio , Singh Sandeep , Schwartz Bertrand , Branellec Didier , Epstein Stephen E. , Kornowski Ran
Published: August 2002

Early studies have indicated no correlation between the amount of mechanical injury and the level of myocardial gene expression following direct plasmid vector injection. Recently, however, evidence suggests that combined laser myocardial injury and plasmid‐based gene delivery exert synergistic effects on gene expression and activity. The purpose of the study was to determine whether laser‐induced myocardial injury followed by transendocardial gene transfer increases gene expression compared to gene transfer alone. We assessed the ability of a plasmid vector to express its transgene after injection into porcine ischemic myocardium with and without preceding laser myocardial injury. Thirteen animals had transendocardial injections of the luciferase reporter gene in a plamid vector using a catheter‐based injection system. Injections (0.5 mg per animal, 50 μg per injection site) were divided into 10 sites in the ischemic territory. Eight animals underwent transendocardial laser injury of the ischemic region (2 Joule per pulse × 10 sites) prior to gene delivery. In five animals, gene injection sites were dispersed between laser channels, and in three animals laser and gene delivery were applied in close proximity (< 5 mm) or at the same location. Luciferase activity was measured at 3 and 7 days. Luciferase expression in ischemic zones was markedly elevated at day 3 and 7, and similar whether animals were pretreated using laser injury followed by gene transfer compared to gene transfer alone. Neither same‐spot injection nor dispersed gene delivery were associated with augmented gene expression compared to gene transfer alone. Using the above‐described catheter‐based approach to combine localized laser injury and injection of naked DNA into ischemic myocardium, laser injury did not augment gene expression above levels present with gene transfer alone. Cathet Cardiovasc Intervent 2001;54:533–538. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A systematic evaluation of the benefits and hazards of variable selection in latent variable regression. Part I. Search algorithm, theory and simulations
Authors: Baumann K. , Albert H. , von Korff M.
Published: August 2002

Variable selection is an extensively studied problem in chemometrics and in the area of quantitative structure–activity relationships (QSARs). Many search algorithms have been compared so far. Less well studied is the influence of different objective functions on the prediction quality of the selected models. This paper investigates the performance of different cross‐validation techniques as objective function for variable selection in latent variable regression. The results are compared in terms of predictive ability, model size (number of variables) and model complexity (number of latent variables). It will be shown that leave‐multiple‐out cross‐validation with a large percentage of data left out performs best. Since leave‐multiple‐out cross‐validation is computationally expensive, a very efficient tabu search algorithm is introduced to lower the computational burden. The tabu search algorithm needs no user‐defined operational parameters and optimizes the variable subset and the number of latent variables simultaneously. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Molecular chirality and the fundamental symmetries of physics: Influence of parity violation on rovibrational frequencies and thermodynamic properties
Authors: Quack Martin , Stohner Jürgen
Published: August 2002

We introduce the topic of fundamental symmetries of physics in relation to molecular chirality by a brief review of the development and current status of the theory of parity violation in chiral molecules. We then discuss in some detail CHBrClF (bromochlorofluoromethane) as a test case, to which the work of André Collet has contributed importantly. For this molecule and its isotopomers, we report here the first detailed theoretical calculations of the influence of parity violation on statistical thermodynamic properties. High‐quality ab initio calculations (RPA, random phase approximation, and CASSCF, complete‐active‐space self‐consistent‐field) were performed to determine the small energy difference between R‐ and S‐enantiomers of H and D isotopomers of bromochlorofluoromethane (CHBrClF, CDBrClF), and fluorooxirane (1H3C2OF) introduced by the parity‐violating weak interaction. Together with vibrational and rotational frequency shifts caused by parity violation, these were used to determine the statistical thermodynamic quantities from the corresponding partition functions within the separable harmonic and in part also anharmonic adiabatic approximation. Temperature‐dependent equilibrium constants for the stereomutation were calculated and are discussed in relation to biochemical homochirality. Chirality 13:745–753, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
First direct discrimination of chiral phosphine selenide (P=Se) derivatives by multinuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy in the presence of a chiral dirhodium complex
Authors: Malik Shahid , Duddeck Helmut , Omelanczuk Jan , Choudhary Muhammad Iqbal
Published: August 2002

Enantiomeric ratios of compounds with P=Se functionalities (phosphine selenides) can easily be determined by 1H, 13C, 31P, and 77Se NMR spectroscopic inspection of their diastereomeric complexes with (R)‐Rh2(MTPA)4 (MTPA‐H ≡ methoxytrifluoromethylphenylacetic acid; Mosher's acid). This is the first facile and rapid spectroscopic method for chiral recognition in this class of compounds. Whereas most complexation shifts Δδ are moderate or even negligible, significant signal dispersions Δν can be observed. Some rationalization for the adduct formation mode is presented. NMR spectral characteristics of the free P=Se compounds 1–5 are described. Chirality 14:407–411, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Separating centrosomes interact in the absence of associated chromosomes during mitosis in cultured vertebrate cells
Authors: Faruki Shamsa , Cole Richard W. , Rieder Conly L.
Published: August 2002

We detail here how “free” centrosomes, lacking associated chromosomes, behave during mitosis in PtK2 homokaryons stably expressing GFP‐α‐tubulin. As free centrosomes separate during prometaphase, their associated astral microtubules (Mts) interact to form a spindle‐shaped array that is enriched for cytoplasmic dynein and Eg5. Over the next 30 min, these arrays become progressively depleted of Mts until the two centrosomes are linked by a single bundle, containing 10–20 Mts, that persists for > 60 min. The overlapping astral Mts within this bundle are loosely organized, and their plus ends terminate near its midzone, which is enriched for an ill‐defined matrix material. At this time, the distance between the centrosomes is not defined by external forces because these organelles remain stationary when the bundle connecting them is severed by laser microsurgery. However, since the centrosomes move towards one another in response to monastrol treatment, the kinesin‐like motor protein Eg5 is involved. From these results, we conclude that separating asters interact during prometaphase of mitosis to form a spindle‐shaped Mt array, but that in the absence of chromosomes this array is unstable. An analysis of the existing data suggests that the stabilization of spindle Mts during mitosis in vertebrates does not involve the chromatin (i.e., the RCC1/RanGTP pathway), but instead some other chromosomal component, e.g., kinetochores. Cell Motil. Cytoskeleton 52:107–121, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Spindle positioning in fibroblasts supports an astral microtubule length dependent force generation at the basal membrane
Authors: Schultz Niklas , Önfelt Agneta
Published: August 2002

V79 Chinese hamster fibroblasts that maintain an elongated shape in metaphase occur at a low frequency and often show the spindle asymmetrically positioned. We show here that this aberrant position is corrected in anaphase by an external force, pulling the spindle into place. The force was applied on astral microtubules because spindle motility was hampered when astral microtubules were poorly developed spontaneously, or destroyed by colcemid. Colcemid also abolished the observed downward positioning of centrosomes in anaphase. One pole of the spindle was usually dominant during correction, but occasionally both poles could become subject to pulling making the spindle move perpendicular to the long axis of the cell, which induced reshaping of the cell. The pulling force acted unevenly with short intervals of resting between the pulling. Spindle elongation also varied in rate but showed a different periodicity than translocation of the spindle, and therefore appeared independently regulated. The length of the spindle increased with the length of the cell, and the rate of spindle elongation and pole movement increased with distance moved, indicating that the forces mediated by astral microtubules increase with their length. Arp1/dynactin, not colocalising with tubulin, was more often continuous with microtubules in anaphase B than in metaphase, and was primarily located at the bottom of the cell. Further, shifts in the geometric gravity centre of the cell occurred in the same direction as migration of the spindle. To explain these results, we suggest that astral microtubles transiently anchored at the bottom of the cell are of particular importance for spindle translocation in fibroblasts. Cell Motil. Cytoskeleton 50:69–88, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Information transfer on an NMR quantum information processor
Authors: Price Mark D. , Fortunato Evan M. , Pravia Marco A. , Breen Craig , Kumaresean Swami , Rosenberg Gabriel , Cory David G.
Published: August 2002

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) has been used to explore and demonstrate many of the ideas behind quantum information processing (QIP). This work provides an illustrative example of information transfer over both quantum and classical channels using NMR techniques on the two‐spin compound 13C‐chloroform. A two‐qubit model of a classical channel that is a reduction of a quantum channel can be implemented via the correlation of a spin representing information on a channel, with an ancilla spin representing the surrounding world. When information about this correlation is lost or discarded, the channel becomes classical; otherwise, it remains quantum. It is shown that, while classical information can be transmitted over either a quantum or classical channel, quantum information will only survive transmission over a quantum channel. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Concepts Magn Reson 13: 151–158, 2001
Activation of Src kinase in primary colorectal carcinoma
Authors: Allgayer Heike , Boyd Douglas D. , Heiss Markus M. , Abdalla Eddie K. , Curley Steven A. , Gallick Gary E.
Published: August 2002

BACKGROUND

The specific activity of the non‐receptor protein tyrosine kinase, Src, is increased in the majority of colon and rectal adenocarcinomas compared to normal mucosa. However, the prognostic significance of this difference is unknown. The objective of the current study was to determine if Src activity is a marker for poor clinical prognosis in colon carcinoma patients. As Src activation leads to expression of urokinase/plasminogen activator receptor (u‐PAR), expression of Src and u‐PAR were correlated with patient survival.

METHODS

Tumors and adjacent normal colonic mucosae from 45 patients with colorectal carcinoma were screened for Src activity by the immune complex kinase assay. Expression of u‐PAR was determined by enzyme linked immunoabsorbent assay. The primary tumor‐to‐normal mucosa ratios of activity were compared following classification and regression tree (CART) analysis to determine the prognostic significance of elevated specific Src activity. Expression of u‐PAR was correlated with Src activity.

RESULTS

By CART analysis, Src activity in tumors elevated more than twofold over normal mucosa was significant. Increased Src activity significantly correlated with Dukes stage, pT and pN classification, and increased u‐PAR levels (P< 0.001). Kaplan Meier analysis showed a significant association between elevated Src activity and shorter overall survival of all patients (P= 0.0004) and of Dukes Stage A‐C patients (P= 0.0037). In patients who underwent curative resection, a significant correlation with a decreased disease‐free survival rate was found (P< 0.0001). Multivariate analysis revealed that elevated Src activity was a prognostic parameter independent of M classification (P= 0.0125, relative risk 3.54, 95% confidence interval 1.31 – 9.76).

CONCLUSIONS

Src activity is an independent indicator of poor clinical prognosis in all stages of human colon carcinoma. These data suggest that Src‐specific inhibitors may have a therapeutic role in inhibiting tumor progression and metastasis, and that measurement of Src activity may aid in selection of early stage patients for adjuvant therapy. Cancer 2002;94:344–51. © 2002 American Cancer Society.
Results with chemotherapy comprised of cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone followed by radiotherapy with or without prechemotherapy surgical debulking for patients with bulky, aggressive lymphoma
Authors: Wilder Richard B. , Romaguera Jorge E. , Tucker Susan L. , Ha Chul S. , Hess Mark A. , Cabanillas Fernando , Cox James D.
Published: August 2002

BACKGROUND

The authors performed a case–control analysis of local control, progression free survival, and overall survival in patients with Stage I–II aggressive lymphomas measuring ≥ 7 cm in greatest dimension who were treated initially with or without surgical debulking: All patients then received cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (CHOP)‐based chemotherapy followed by involved‐field radiotherapy.

METHODS

From May 1975 through May 1996, 50 patients were treated with (n = 25 patients) or without (n = 25 patients) resection of > 80% of their bulky lymphomas. Chemotherapy consisted of 3–12 cycles of CHOP. In general, patients who underwent debulking received three cycles of chemotherapy, whereas patients who did not undergo debulking received at least six cycles of chemotherapy. The total radiotherapy dose was 40.8 grays (Gy) ± 4.2 Gy (mean ± standard deviation).

RESULTS

The median follow‐up was 62 months. Patients who underwent debulking were similar prognostically to patients who did not. There was a trend toward improved local control (5‐year rates: 96% vs. 80%; P = 0.10) and overall survival (5‐year rates: 83% vs. 71%; P = 0.18) in patients who underwent debulking compared with patients who did not, respectively. Progression free survival was significantly better for patients who underwent debulking compared with patients who did not (5‐year rates: 88% vs. 62%, respectively; P = 0.04).

CONCLUSIONS

Because this study was retrospective, selection bias may account for the observed difference in progression free survival. Because it is unlikely that a trial randomizing patients with bulky, aggressive lymphoma to surgery will be conducted, the authors' current efforts are focused on escalation of the total radiotherapy dose as a possibly less costly and less morbid approach toward improving progression free survival for these patients. Cancer 2002;94:601–5. © 2002 American Cancer Society.

DOI 10.1002/cncr.10260
Cytoplasmic expression of laminin γ2 chain correlates with postoperative hepatic metastasis and poor prognosis in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma
Authors: Takahashi Shinichiro , Hasebe Takahiro , Oda Tatsuya , Sasaki Satoshi , Kinoshita Taira , Konishi Masaru , Ochiai Takenori , Ochiai Atsushi
Published: August 2002

BACKGROUND

The laminin γ2 chain is involved in tumor invasion and metastasis, but the significance of laminin γ2 chain expression remains unclear in patients with pancreatic carcinoma.

METHODS

Laminin γ2 chain expression was examined immunohistochemically in 48 patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma who were followed closely to elucidate the correlations between clinicopathologic factors, postoperative recurrence, and overall survival. Prognostic factors for postoperative survival were examined comparing clinicopathologic factors and laminin γ2 chain expression.

RESULTS

Two different staining patterns of laminin γ2 chain expression, cytoplasmic expression and basement membrane expression, were detected in tumors from all 48 patients. Tumors were then classified into two types according to the dominant pattern of laminin γ2 chain expression: the cytoplasmic expression dominant type (CYT;n= 26 patients) and the basement membrane expression dominant type (BM;n= 22 patients). Tumor differentiation was associated statistically with the BM type of laminin γ2 chain expression (P= 0.0002). The CYT type of laminin γ2 chain expression was associated significantly with the occurrence of postoperative hepatic metastasis (P= 0.0011) and also was the strongest predictive factor for poorer overall survival in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas (P= 0.0161).

CONCLUSIONS

The cytoplasmic expression of the laminin γ2 chain represents the high invasive potential of the tumor and is correlated with distant metastasis, especially hepatic metastasis, and with a poorer prognosis in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Cancer 2002;94:1894–901. © 2002 American Cancer Society.

DOI 10.1002/cncr.10395
Changing incidence of non‐Hodgkin lymphomas in the United States
Authors: Clarke Christina A. , Glaser Sally L.
Published: August 2002

BACKGROUND

The incidence of non‐Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) has been rising in many regions and populations during the last few decades. Data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program show that age‐adjusted rates of NHL increased through the 1980s but leveled off in the 1990s.

METHODS

To determine whether the incidence of NHL stabilized in all population subgroups, particularly in age‐defined groups with distinctive risks of NHL, the authors investigated trends in NHL incidence among persons aged 0–14 years, 15–24 years, 25–34 years, 35–44 years, 45–54 years, 55–64 years, 65–74 years, and > 75 years by gender and race using 1973–1998 data from the SEER Program, which covered approximately 10% of the U.S. population. Joinpoint regression was used to assess changes in trends across the period.

RESULTS

NHL incidence trends changed significantly among males aged 25–54 years, in whom rates began to decrease (6–16% per year) in the middle to late 1990s, as well as among most whites aged ≥ 55 years, in whom rate increases slowed from 3–4% to 1–2% per year in the late 1980s. Incidence trends were steady in other groups, with uniform increases among whites aged 15–24 years (2–3% per year), women aged 25–54 years (1–6% per year), and blacks aged ≥ 55 years (2–4% per year). Although recent age specific incidence rates were generally higher in males compared with females and in whites compared with blacks, among males aged 25–54 years, rates were significantly higher in black males compared with white males.

CONCLUSIONS

There have been changes in the demographic groups impacted by NHL. The trends for human immunodeficiency virus probably are related to recent decreases in NHL incidence among males aged 25–54 years. The rate change in the older white population is unexplained but represents both an alleviation of the burden of NHL in this population and a potential opportunity to generate hypotheses regarding risk factors for the development of NHL. Cancer 2002;94:2015–23. © 2002 American Cancer Society.

DOI 10.1002/cncr.10403
Multicenter trial of low‐dose paclitaxel in patients with advanced AIDS‐related Kaposi sarcoma
Authors: Tulpule Anil , Groopman Jerome , Saville M. Wayne , Harrington William , Friedman‐Kien Alvin , Espina Byron M. , Garces Carlos , Mantelle Lily , Mettinger Karl , Scadden David T. , Gill Parkash S.
Published: August 2002

BACKGROUND

Treatment options are limited for patients with advanced acquired immunodeficieny syndrome (AIDS)‐related Kaposi sarcoma (AIDS‐KS) whose disease has progressed after receiving therapy with liposomal anthracyclines or combination chemotherapy with doxorubicin (Adriamycin), bleomycin, and vincristine (ABV). This study was performed to assess the safety and efficacy of a novel dose and schedule of paclitaxel in patients with AIDS‐KS who failed to respond to previous systemic chemotherapy.

METHODS

This was an open‐label, multicenter Phase II study. Eligible patients had advanced AIDS‐KS consisting of at least 25 mucocutaneous lesions, visceral disease, or lymphedema, and had failed to respond to at least one previous systemic chemotherapy regimen. Patients were treated with paclitaxel at a dose of 100 mg/m2given intravenously over 3 hours, every 2 weeks. Primary efficacy end points were tumor response, time to progression, time to treatment failure, and survival. Quality of life and adverse events were evaluated using the Symptom Distress Scale (SDS) and the World Health Organization Toxicity Criteria, respectively.

RESULTS

One hundred and seven male patients with advanced AIDS‐KS were enrolled from nine participating sites. The median entry CD4+ lymphocyte count was 41/mm3(range 0–1139). Previous treatment regimens included ABV in 52, liposomal daunorubicin in 49, and liposomal doxorubicin in 40 patients. Forty‐one patients (38%) received two or more previous chemotherapy regimens. Protease inhibitor use during the study was reported by 82 (77%) patients overall; 47 patients (44%) were receiving a protease inhibitor before study entry. Complete or partial response was documented in 60 patients (56%). The median duration of response was 8.9 months. Major response rate was similar when comparing patients not on a protease inhibitor at the time of response (59%) with patients on a protease inhibitor at time of response (54%). However, protease inhibitor use had a significant impact on survival (P= 0.04). Grade 4 neutropenia was reported in 35% of patients; other life‐threatening side effects were uncommon. Significant improvements were seen in the total quality of life scores measured by the SDS, including significant improvement in KS‐related symptoms such as facial disease, tumor‐associated edema, and pulmonary involvement.

CONCLUSION

Paclitaxel given every 2 weeks induces major tumor regression in the majority of patients with advanced KS who failed to respond to previous systemic chemotherapy. Paclitaxel is associated with significant improvement in quality of life with acceptable toxicity and should be considered as an effective treatment option for patients with advanced KS. Cancer 2002;95:147–54. © 2002 American Cancer Society.

DOI 10.1002/cncr.10634
Development of the motor nervous system in ascidians
Authors: Zaniolo Giovanna , Lane Nancy J. , Burighel Paolo , Manni Lucia
Published: August 2002

The motor nervous system of adult ascidians consists of neurons forming the cerebral ganglion from which axons run out directly to the effectors, i.e., muscular and ciliary cells. In this study, we analyzed the development of the motor fibers, correlating this with organ differentiation during asexual reproduction in Botryllus schlosseri. We used a staining method for acetylcholinesterase, whose reaction product is visible with both light and electron microscopy and which labels entire nerves, including their thin terminals, making them identifiable between tissues. While the cerebral ganglion is forming, the axons elongate and follow stereotypical pathways to reach the smooth muscle cells of the body, the striated muscle of the heart, and the ciliated cells of the branchial stigmata and the gut. A strict temporal relation links the development of the local neural network with its target organ, which is approached by nerves before the effector cells are fully differentiated. This process occurs for oral and cloacal siphons, branchial basket, gut, and heart. Axons grow through the extracellular matrix and arrive at their targets from different directions. In some cases, the blood sinuses constitute the favorite roads for growing axons, which seem to be guided by a mechanism involving contact guidance or stereotropism. The pattern of innervation undergoes dynamic rearrangements and a marked process of elimination of axons, when the last stages of blastogenesis occur. The final pattern of motor innervation seems to be regulated by axon withdrawal, rather than apoptosis of motor neurons. J. Comp. Neurol. 443:124–135, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Nucleus retroambiguus projections to the periaqueductal gray in the cat
Authors: Klop Esther‐Marije , Mouton Leonora J. , Holstege Gert
Published: August 2002

The nucleus retroambiguus (NRA) of the caudal medulla is a relay nucleus by which neurons of the mesencephalic periaqueductal gray (PAG) reach motoneurons of pharynx, larynx, soft palate, intercostal and abdominal muscles, and several muscles of the hindlimbs. These PAG‐NRA‐motoneuronal projections are thought to play a role in survival behaviors, such as vocalization and mating behavior. In the present combined antero‐ and retrograde tracing study in the cat, we sought to determine whether the NRA, apart from the neurons projecting to motoneurons, also contains cells projecting back to the PAG. After injections of WGA‐HRP in the caudal and intermediate PAG, labeled neurons were observed in the NRA, with a slight contralateral preponderance. In contrast, after injections in the rostral PAG or adjacent deep tectal layers, no or very few labeled neurons were present in the NRA. After injection of [3H]leucine in the NRA, anterograde labeling was present in the most caudal ventrolateral and dorsolateral PAG, and slightly more rostrally in the lateral PAG, mainly contralaterally. When the [3H]leucine injection site extended medially into the medullary lateral tegmental field, labeling was found in most parts of the PAG as well as in the adjoining deep tectal layers. No labeled fibers were found in the dorsolateral PAG, and only a few were found in the rostral PAG. Because the termination pattern of the NRA fibers in the PAG overlaps with that of the sacral cord projections to the PAG, it is suggested that the NRA‐PAG projections play a role in the control of motor functions related to mating behavior. J. Comp. Neurol. 445:47–58, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Development of cholinergic terminals around rat spinal motor neurons and their potential relationship to developmental cell death
Authors: Wetts Richard , Vaughn James E.
Published: August 2002

Neuron death seems to be regulated mainly by postsynaptic target cells. In chicks, nicotinic antagonists such as alpha‐bungarotoxin (αBT) can prevent normal cell death of somatic motor neurons (SMNs). For this effect, however, αBT could be acting at peripheral neuromuscular junctions and/or central cholinergic synapses. To investigate this issue, we first studied the development of cholinergic terminals in the rat spinal cord by using vesicular acetylcholine transporter immunocytochemistry. Labeled terminals were seen in the ventral horn as early as embryonic day 15 (E15), the beginning of the cell death period. Thus, central cholinergic synapses form at the correct time and place to be able to influence SMN death. We next added αBT to organotypic, spinal slice cultures made at E15. After 5 days in vitro, the number of SMNs in treated cultures was substantially greater than in control cultures, indicating that αBT can reduce SMN cell death in rats as it does in chicks. Moreover, peripheral target removal led to extensive loss of SMNs, and such a loss occurred even in the presence of αBT, indicating the necessity of peripheral target for the αBT effect. Finally, to determine whether central cholinergic terminals also may be involved in SMN death, we delayed the αBT treatment until after central cholinergic terminals had disappeared from the slice cultures. The increased number of surviving SMNs, even in the absence of central terminals, argued that αBT acts at peripheral, not central, cholinergic synapses to rescue SMNs from developmental cell death. J. Comp. Neurol. 435:171–183, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Stereologic description of the changing expression of constitutive nitric oxide synthase and heme oxygenase in the enteric plexuses of the pig small intestine during development
Authors: van Ginneken Christa , van Meir Frans , Sys Stanislas , Weyns André
Published: August 2002

The similarities between heme oxygenase‐2 (HO‐2) and nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) and the transient expression of nNOS during development led us to investigate whether both systems are similarly affected by changes that occur during development and by regional differences along the small intestine. By combining NADPH diaphorase histochemistry and HO‐2 immunohistochemistry on whole‐mount preparations and by using stereologic methods, a qualitative and quantitative description of HO‐2 and nNOS expression was obtained. Examinations were carried out on the small intestine of fetal, 1–2‐day and 5–6‐week‐old pigs. In all age groups, three enteric plexuses were distinguished. The presence of HO‐2‐immunoreactive (HO‐2‐IR) and NADPH diaphorase‐positive neurons corresponded to earlier morphological and physiological reports. Nevertheless, the total number of nitrergic neurons remained constant or decreased in the enteric plexuses, whereas the total number of HO‐2‐IR neurons displayed an overall increase. Changing concentrations of glucocorticoids, target‐derived signals, presynaptic input, and an effect of HO‐2 activity on nNOS synthesis are likely to play roles in the observed developmental changes. The numerical density of HO‐2‐IR neurons remained relatively constant along the intestinal tract; in contrast, the nitrergic neurons were most numerous in the inner submucous and myenteric plexus in the duodenum and ileum, respectively. It is believed that the duodenal nitrergic neurons in the inner submucous plexus could be involved in the regulation of duodenal secretion processes, whereas the region‐dependent density in the myenteric plexus possibly forms the morphological basis for a regionally different participation of NO in the relaxation of the small intestine. J. Comp. Neurol. 437:118–128, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Defining classes of spinal interneuron and their axonal projections in hatchling Xenopus laevis tadpoles
Authors: Li W.‐C. , Perrins R. , Soffe S.R. , Yoshida M. , Walford A. , Roberts Alan
Published: August 2002

Neurobiotin was injected into individual spinal interneurons in the Xenopus tadpole to discern their anatomical features and complete axonal projection patterns. Four classes of interneuron are described, with names defining their primary axon projection: Dorsolateral ascending and commissural interneurons are predominantly multipolar cells with somata and dendrites exclusively in the dorsal half of the spinal cord. Ascending interneurons have unipolar somata located in the dorsal half, but their main dendrites are located in the ventral half of the spinal cord. Descending interneurons show bigger variance in their anatomy, but the majority are unipolar, and they all have a descending primary axon. Dorsolateral commissural interneurons are clearly defined using established criteria, but the others are not, so cluster analysis was used. Clear discriminations can be made, and criteria are established to characterize the three classes of interneuron with ipsilateral axonal projections. With identifying criteria established, the distribution and axonal projection patterns of the four classes of interneuron are described. By using data from γ‐aminobutyric acid immunocytochemistry, the distribution of the population of ascending interneurons is defined. Together with the results from the axonal projection data, this allows the ascending interneuron axon distribution along the spinal cord to be estimated. By making simple assumptions and using existing information about the soma distributions of the other interneurons, estimates of their axon distributions are made. The possible functional roles of the four interneuron classes are discussed. J. Comp. Neurol. 441:248–265, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Embryonic expression of pituitary adenylyl cyclase‐activating polypeptide and its selective type I receptor gene in the frog Xenopus laevis neural tube
Authors: Hu Zhongting , Lelievre Vincent , Rodriguez Williams I. , Tam Jimmy , Cheng Jennifer W. , Cohen‐Cory Susanna , Waschek James A.
Published: August 2002

The genes encoding pituitary adenylyl cyclase‐activating peptide (PACAP) and its selective type I receptor (PAC1) are expressed in the embryonic mouse neural tube, where they may be involved in neurogenesis and neural tube development. We examined here the early expression and potential actions of PACAP and PAC1 in the vertebrate developmental model Xenopus laevis. PACAP and PAC1 mRNAs were first detected by RT‐PCR in stage 16–18 embryos (18 hours after fertilization). Two distinct PACAP precursor mRNAs were identified. One encoded both growth hormone‐releasing hormone and PACAP, whereas the other encoded only full‐length PACAP. Unlike that in the adult, the latter represented the predominant embryonic PACAP mRNA species. In situ hybridization revealed that PACAP and PAC1 mRNAs were restricted to neural cells. PAC1 gene expression was observed mainly in the ventricular zone in the ventral parts of the prosencephalon, mensencephalon, rhombencephalon, and anterior spinal cord. In contrast, PACAP mRNA was localized exclusively in postmitotic cells in the dorsolateral parts of the rhombencephalon and entire spinal cord. Most PACAP mRNA‐containing cells were characterized as Rohon‐Beard neurons. Exposure of early embryos to UV irradiation, which ventralizes embryos and inhibits neural induction, reduced the expression of PACAP and PAC1 genes. These results suggest that PACAP may be involved in the early development of the embryonic Xenopus neural tube. J. Comp. Neurol. 441:266–275, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Transmission conditions with constraints in finite element domain decomposition methods for flow problems
Authors: Houzeaux G. , Codina R.
Published: August 2002

This work presents a conservative scheme for iteration‐by‐subdomain domain decomposition (DD) strategies applied to the finite element solution of flow problems. The DD algorithm is based on the iterative update of the boundary conditions on the interfaces between the subregions, the so‐called transmission conditions. The transmission conditions involve the essential and natural boundary conditions of the weak form of the problem, and should ensure strong continuity of the velocity and weak continuity of the traction. As a first approach, the transmission conditions are interpolated using the classical Lagrange interpolation functions. Conservation problems might arise when two adjacent subdomains have a sensibly different mesh spacing. In order to conserve any desired quantity of interest, an interface constraining is introduced: continuity of the transmission conditions are constrained under a scalar conservation equation. An example of mass conservation illustrates the algorithm. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A novel approach to Burgers' equation
Authors: Xu Mingtian , Duan Qi
Published: August 2002

A new method is presented for the numerical solution of Burgers' equation. In this method, the Green's function of the linear heat conduction equation is employed to convert Burgers' equation to the corresponding integration equation system with respect to the time variable. Then the solution of this integration system is obtained by a numerical method. The computed results show that this method can deal with a wide range of Reynolds number and in the moderate Reynolds number case, even with the comparatively larger time step, good accuracy can be achieved. Furthermore, this method does not require spatial discretization. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An accurate integral‐based scheme for advection–diffusion equation
Authors: Tsai Tung‐Lin , Yang Jinn‐Chuang , Huang Liang‐Hsiung
Published: August 2002

This paper proposes an accurate integral‐based scheme for solving the advection–diffusion equation. In the proposed scheme the advection–diffusion equation is integrated over a computational element using the quadratic polynomial interpolation function. Then elements are connected by the continuity of first derivative at boundary points of adjacent elements. The proposed scheme is unconditionally stable and results in a tridiagonal system of equations which can be solved efficiently by the Thomas algorithm. Using the method of fractional steps, the proposed scheme can be extended straightforwardly from one‐dimensional to multi‐dimensional problems without much difficulty and complication. To investigate the computational performances of the proposed scheme five numerical examples are considered: (i) dispersion of Gaussian concentration distribution in one‐dimensional uniform flow; (ii) one‐dimensional viscous Burgers equation; (iii) pure advection of Gaussian concentration distribution in two‐dimensional uniform flow; (iv) pure advection of Gaussian concentration distribution in two‐dimensional rigid‐body rotating flow; and (v) three‐dimensional diffusion in a shear flow. In comparison not only with the QUICKEST scheme, the fully time‐centred implicit QUICK scheme and the fully time‐centred implicit TCSD scheme for one‐dimensional problem but also with the ADI‐QUICK scheme, the ADI‐TCSD scheme and the MOSQUITO scheme for two‐dimensional problems, the proposed scheme shows convincing computational performances. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Boundary element analysis of assembled plate structures
Authors: Dirgantara T. , Aliabadi M. H.
Published: August 2002

This paper presents an application of the boundary element method to the analysis of plate structures subjected to arbitrary loadings. Using a multi‐region technique to assemble plate structures, boundary element formulation for a shear deformable plate bending are coupled with the formulation for plane stress elasticity. Additional equations required to solve the problem are obtained by imposing the compatibility and equilibrium conditions along interface edges. Several examples with different configurations and loadings are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
High accuracy stable numerical solution of 1D microscale heat transport equation
Authors: Zhang Jun , Zhao Jennifer J.
Published: August 2002

We investigate the use of a fourth‐order compact finite difference scheme for solving a one‐dimensional heat transport equation at the microscale.The fourth‐order compact scheme is used with a Crank–Nicholson type integrator by introducing an intermediate function for the heat transport equation. The new scheme is proved to be unconditionally stable with respect to initial values. Numerical experiments are conducted to compare the new scheme with the existing scheme based on second‐order spatial discretization. It is shown that the new scheme is computationally more efficient and more accurate than the second‐order scheme. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
On operator splitting approach for parallel multi‐frontal FE flow computation in a multiply dilated vessel
Authors: Rathish Kumar B. V.
Published: August 2002

A parallel multi‐frontal method for solving the linear system of equations arising in the finite element computation of incompressible flow problems under operator splitting approach for UVP formulation of Navier–Stokes equations with equal order interpolation has been described. Following the domain decomposition strategy, the parallel scheme has been successfully implemented in analysing the steady flow in a multiply dilated vessel. The effect of the Schur complement problem size on the speed‐up factor has been tested. Plots depicting the flow field and the Wall Shear Stress (WSS) on the dilated vessel wall have been presented. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Approximation to the interface velocity in phase change front tracking
Authors: Zhao P. H. , Heinrich J. C.
Published: August 2002

Numerical models for front tracking in the sharp interface limit must calculate the interface velocity by means of a differentiation of the temperature field on both sides of the interface, the resulting velocity shows an oscillatory error that introduces noise in the solution. In unstable solidification problems, the noise can actually change the resulting solution. In this work, we look at the effect of the noise in the solution of dendritic solidification in an undercooled melt and analyse ways to control it. We conclude that at this point, we cannot suppress the noise and that methods to reduce it can actually lead to different solutions to the same problem. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Telesio's dictionary of Latin color terms
Authors: Osborne Roy
Published: August 2002

In 1528 the Calabrian poet Antonio Telesio (Antonius Thylesius) published his Booklet on Colors (Libellus de Coloribus), the most extensive color dictionary of its time. Following an alphabetical index of 115 Latin color terms, Table I, his text attempted to establish the correct meaning and application of each within a highly organized sequence of categories. A dozen of these were based on general similarities in appearance, whereas others segregated the austere colors from the florid, the agreeable from the mournful, or brought together colors named after metals, places, plants, and animals. This article not only translates the individual color terms but also examines the manner in which they are grouped and sequenced within the text as a whole. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Col Res Appl, 27, 140–146, 2002; Published online in Wiley Interscience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/col.10044