bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Intravascular low‐power laser irradiation after coronary stenting: Long‐term follow‐up
Authors: De Scheerder Ivan K. , Wang Kai , Kaul Upendra , Singh Balbir , Sahota Harry , Keelan Michael H. , Kipshidze Nicholas N. , Moses Jeffrey
Published: August 2002

Background and Objective

A high restenosis rate remains a limiting factor for percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty and stenting. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of intravascular red laser therapy (IRLT) on restenosis after stenting procedures in de novo lesions.

Study Design/Materials and Methods

A total of 68 consecutive patients were treated with IRLT in conjunction with coronary stenting procedures. Mean lesion length was 16.5 ± 2.4 mm. Reference vessel diameter (RVD) and pre‐minimal lumen diameter (MLD) were 2.90 ± 0.15 mm and 1.12 ± 0.26 mm, respectively.

Results

After treatment, MLD was 2.76 ± 0.32 mm with no procedural complications or in‐hospital adverse events. Angiographic follow‐up (n = 61) revealed restenosis in nine patients (14.7%) with rate by artery size of > 3 mm (n = 21) 0%; 2.5–3.0 mm (n = 28) 14.2%; and < 2.5 mm (n = 12) 41.6%.

Conclusion

Intravascular red light therapy is safe, feasible, and reduces expected restenosis rate after coronary stenting. Lasers Surg. Med. 28:212–215, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Sterol‐independent regulation of 3‐hydroxy‐3‐methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase in tumor cells
Authors: Hentosh Patricia , Yuh Seon H. , Elson Charles E. , Peffley Dennis M.
Published: August 2002

Elevated 3‐hydroxy‐3‐methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG‐CoA) reductase expression supports synthesis of prenyl pyrophosphate intermediates required for tumor growth. In this study, the copy number of HMG‐CoA reductase mRNA was determined in solid tumor and leukemic cell lines using competitive reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction. Reductase mRNA was increased about eight‐fold in Caco2 human colon adenocarcinoma cells compared with that in CCD18 normal colon cells. We also found a 50‐fold enhancement of reductase mRNA in stimulated human lymphocytes compared with unstimulated cells. In CEM human leukemia cells, reductase mRNA was increased 8.6 times compared with that in stimulated lymphocytes. Greater low density lipoprotein receptor mRNA was also observed in tumor cells compared with normal counterparts. We hypothesized that elevated reductase mRNA was due to attenuation of sterol‐mediated control of tumor reductase promoter activity. We first compared the methylation status of CpG dinucleotides in the promoters of reductase and p16 tumor suppressor genes from solid tumor, leukemic, and normal cells. As reported for other tumor cells the p16 promoter region was hypermethylated in Caco2 and CEM cells but was hypomethylated in corresponding normal cells. However, reductase promoter sequences in both normal and tumor cells were hypomethylated, demonstrating that methylation is not involved in sterol‐independent reductase regulation. We addressed altered transcription factor binding to the tumor cell reductase promoter by transiently transfecting Caco2 and CCD18 with a plasmid vector containing a hamster HMG‐CoA reductase promoter fused to the luciferase gene. We found that increased reductase mRNA was partially due to an approximately three‐fold higher reductase promoter activity in Caco2 than in CCD18, measured by luciferase reporter assays. Thus, differential binding of transcription factor or factors on the tumor cell reductase promoter attenuates normal sterol‐mediated regulation of reductase activity. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Simulation and multi‐attribute utility modelling of life cycle profit
Authors: Rosqvist Tony
Published: August 2002

Investments on capital goods are assessed with respect to the life cycle profit as well as the economic lifetime of the investment. The outcome of an investment with respect to these economic criteria is generally non‐deterministic. An assessment of different investment options thus requires probabilistic modelling to explicitly account for the uncertainties. A process for the assessment of life cycle profit and the evaluation of the adequacy of the assessment is developed. The primary goal of the assessment process is to aid the decision‐maker in structuring and quantifying investment decision problems characterized by multiple criteria and uncertainty. The adequacy of the assessment process can be evaluated by probabilistic criteria indicating the degree of uncertainty in the assessment.

Bayesian inference is used to re‐evaluate the initial assessment, as evidence of the system performance becomes available. Thus authentication of contracts of guarantee is supported. Numerical examples are given to demonstrate features of the described life cycle profit assessment process. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An econometric study of the decisions of a town planning authority: complementary & substitute uses of industrial activities in Hong Kong
Authors: Lai Lawrence W.C. , Ho Winky K.O.
Published: August 2002

This is a contribution to the research on the interface between urban economics and urban planning at the micro level on the one hand and economic development at the macro level on the other hand by a study of the relationship between the performance of the development application mechanism and economic development. This study is conducted in the light that neither urban economics nor urban planning research has utilized useful development control information that can help better understand the spatial and linkage aspects of the industrial sector in economic development. A probit study of a relatively large population of statistics (with 1728 observations) concerning planning applications for uses in lands under industrial zoning in Hong Kong is conducted in terms of 5 refutable hypotheses about the role of the planning authority in respect of land uses that are neutral to, complementary to and substitutes of industrial uses in a local context where major structural changes are occurring in the economy. The hypotheses are derived from standard price theory. The test discovers that, consistent with the theory of substitute goods, that the probabilities of mixed industrial/office and pure office uses in industrial zones being approved were dependent on the rise and fall of the manufacturing sector (measured in terms of labor share). However, those for ancillary office use, a use that theoretically should be complementary to industrial activities, were independent of the state of the manufacturing sector. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
To test or not? The value of diagnostic tests in cervical dystonia
Authors: Risvoll Hilde , Kerty Emilia
Published: August 2002

It has long been suspected that idiopathic cervical dystonia is result of a dysfunction of the brain, but the cause of the disease has been elusive. The purpose of this study was to determine the diagnostical value of different radiological and laboratory tests in cases of cervical dystonia.

Cerebral computer tomography and/or cerebral magnetic imaging were carried out in all of the 149 patients who were included in this study. A total of 25 scans revealed some minor findings that did not alter patients’ management. Of the 128 cervical plain x‐ray examinations, 63.1% showed degenerative changes. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was examined in 125 patients, and was normal in 103. Some degree of pathology was found in the remaining 22 CSF samples.

All patients under the age of 50 years were tested for serum ceruloplasmin and no decreased level was found. Seven patients had elevated ANA titre; four of them also developed Botulinum toxin antibodies.

We can conclude that the detection rate of pathologic findings in patients with idiopathic cervical dystonia is similar to what we can expect in the general population, provided the neurological findings are normal apart from the involuntary movements. In the adult form of typical cervical dystonia we do not recommend any standard laboratory or imaging tests if the neurological examination is normal aside from the abnormal head movements. © 2001 Movement Disorder Society.
Orthostatic tremor arises from an oscillator in the posterior fossa
Authors: Wu Y.R. , Ashby P. , Lang A.E.
Published: August 2002

We tested the hypotheses that orthostatic tremor is generated by a central oscillator and that the tremor is expressed through spinal Ib interneurons. Six patients with orthostatic tremor were examined. The tremor was reset by electrical stimulation over the posterior fossa at intensities that were below the threshold for a motor evoked potential (MEP) but was not reset by transcranial magnetic stimulation over the motor cortex that did produce an MEP. It is argued that the oscillator involves the cerebellum or brainstem.

The inhibition of voluntary EMG produced by stimulation over tendons, which has been attributed to effects from Golgi tendon organs (GTO), was not modulated in synchrony with the tremor. We were unable to demonstrate, therefore, that the tremor is expressed through GTO interneurons with this method. © 2001 Movement Disorder Society.
Serum leptin concentrations and satiety in Parkinson's disease patients with and without weight loss
Authors: Evidente Virgilio G.H. , Caviness John N. , Adler Charles H. , Gwinn‐Hardy Katrina A. , Pratley Richard E.
Published: August 2002

We compared serum leptin and satiety measures in 18 Parkinson's disease (PD) patients with unintended weight loss (WL) and 18 PD patients whose weight was stable (WS). Mean serum leptin concentrations tended to be lower in WL than WS patients, but this did not reach statistical significance. Body mass index correlated with serum leptin concentrations. Ratings of hunger, satiety, fullness, and thirst did not differ between groups. However, the mean sensation of fullness before meals correlated with serum leptin in the entire cohort of patients, particularly in the WL group. The results indicate that unintended weight loss in PD patients is unlikely to be due to abnormal serum leptin concentrations. © 2001 Movement Disorder Society.
Rigidity decreases resting tremor intensity in Parkinson's disease: A [123I]β‐CIT SPECT study in early, nonmedicated patients
Authors: Winogrodzka Ania , Wagenaar Robert C. , Bergmans Paul , Vellinga Astrid , Booij Jan , van Royen Eric A. , van Emmerik Richard E.A. , Stoof Johannes C. , Wolters Erik Ch.
Published: August 2002

Tremor is one of the clinical hallmarks of Parkinson's disease (PD). Although it is accepted that other classic symptoms of PD such as rigidity and bradykinesia result from a degeneration of the nigrostriatal system and subsequent reduction in striatal dopamine, the pathophysiology of resting tremor remains unclear. The majority of recent single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and positron emission tomography (PET) studies, using various radioligands, demonstrated significant correlation between striatal radioligand bindings and the degree of parkinsonian symptoms such as rigidity and bradykinesia, but not tremor. We investigate the relationship between the degeneration of the nigrostriatal pathway and the appearance of resting tremor, taking into account the possible interference of rigidity with the resting tremor. Thirty early and drug‐naïve PD patients were examined. Tremor and rigidity of the arms were assessed using UPDRS, and the power of tremor was estimated using spectral analysis of tremor peaks. [123I]β‐CIT SPECT was used to assess degeneration of the dopaminergic system in PD patients. A comparison between asymmetry indices showed that in terms of both tremor and rigidity, the most affected arm corresponded significantly with the contralateral striatum, having the largest reduction in radioligand binding. Furthermore, tremor power accounted for a significant part of variance in the contralateral striatum, suggesting a relationship between this PD symptom and the degeneration of the dopaminergic system. Further, the degree of tremor was reduced with increasing rigidity. However, correcting for the influence of rigidity, the significant contribution of tremor in the variance in the contralateral striatal [123I]β‐CIT binding disappeared. When the confounding influence of rigidity is taken into account, no significant direct relationship between dopaminergic degeneration and the degree of tremor could be found. Other pathophysiological mechanisms should be similarly investigated in order to further our understanding of the origin of resting tremor in PD. © 2001 Movement Disorder Society.
Long‐Term follow‐up on restless legs syndrome patients treated with opioids
Authors: Walters Arthur S. , Winkelmann Juliane , Trenkwalder Claudia , Fry June M. , Kataria Vandana , Wagner Mary , Sharma Rakesh , Hening Wayne , Li Liren
Published: August 2002

The medical records of 493 patients with restless legs syndrome (RLS) from three major centers were studied to determine the number and outcome of patients who had been treated with opioids as a monotherapy. At one time or another 113 patients (51 men, 62 women; age range, 37–88 years) had been on opioid therapy either alone (36 patients) or with opioids added secondarily to other medications used to treat RLS (77 patients). Twenty‐three of the 36 opioid monotherapy patients had failed dopaminergic and other therapeutic agents prior to the initiation of opioid monotherapy. Twenty of the 36 opioid monotherapy patients continue on monotherapy for an average of 5 years 11 months (range, 1–23 years), despite their knowledge of the availability of other therapies. Of the 16 patients who discontinued opioids as a sole therapy, the medication was discontinued in only one case because of problems related to addiction and tolerance. Polysomnography on seven patients performed after an average of 7 years 1 month of opioid monotherapy (range, 1–15 years) showed a tendency toward an improvement in all leg parameters and associated arousals (decrease in PLMS index, PLMS arousal index, and PLM while awake index) as well as all sleep parameters (increase in stages 3 and 4 and REM sleep, total sleep time, sleep efficiency, and decrease in sleep latency). Two of these seven patients developed sleep apnea and a third patient had worsening of preexisting apnea. Opioids seem to have long‐term effectiveness in the treatment of RLS and PLMS, but patients on long‐term opioid therapy should be clinically or polysomnographically monitored periodically for the development of sleep apnea. © 2001 Movement Disorder Society.
Toxicity of Annonaceae for dopaminergic neurons: Potential role in atypical parkinsonism in Guadeloupe
Authors: Lannuzel Annie , Michel Patrick P. , Caparros‐Lefebvre Dominique , Abaul Jacqueline , Hocquemiller Reynald , Ruberg Merle
Published: August 2002

In the French West Indies there is an abnormally high frequency of levodopa‐resistant parkinsonism, suggested to be caused by consumption of fruit and infusions of tropical plants, especially Annona muricata (corossol, soursop). To determine whether toxic substances from this plant can cause the neuronal degeneration or dysfunction underlying the syndrome, we exposed mesencephalic dopaminergic neurons in culture to the total extract (totum) of alkaloids from Annona muricata root bark and to two of the most abundant subfractions, coreximine and reticuline. After 24 hours, 50% of dopaminergic neurons degenerated with 18 μg/ml totum, 4.3 μg/ml (13 μM) coreximine, or 100 μg/ml (304 μM) reticuline. The effects of the alkaloid totum were not restricted to the population of dopaminergic cells since GABAergic neurons were also affected by the treatment. Nuclei in dying neurons showed DNA condensation or fragmentation, suggesting that neuronal death occurred by apoptosis. Cell death was not excitotoxic and did not require toxin uptake by the dopamine transporter. Neurodegeneration was attenuated by increasing the concentration of glucose in the culture medium, which also reduced the effect of the dopaminergic neurotoxin MPP+, a mitochondrial respiratory chain inhibitor. Toxin withdrawal after short‐term exposure arrested cell death. Acute treatment with totum, coreximine, or reticuline reversibly inhibited dopamine uptake by a mechanism that was distinct from that causing neuronal death. GABA uptake was not reduced under the same conditions. This study suggests that alkaloids from A. muricata can modulate the function and the survival of dopaminergic nerve cells in vitro. It is therefore conceivable that repeated consumption could cause the neuronal dysfunction and degeneration underlying the West Indian parkinsonian syndrome. © 2002 Movement Disorder Society.
Cell surface heparan sulfate and its roles in assisting viral infections
Authors: Liu Jian , Thorp Suzanne C.
Published: August 2002

Heparan sulfate, a highly sulfated polysaccharide, is present on the surface of mammalian cells and in the extracellular matrix in large quantities. The sulfated monosaccharide sequences within heparan sulfate determine the protein binding specificity and regulate biological functions. Numerous viruses and parasites utilize cell surface heparan sulfate as receptors to infect target cells. Due to the structural complexity of heparan sulfate, it was considered a nonspecific cell surface receptor by interacting with the positive motifs of viral proteins. However, recent studies reveal that heparan sulfate plays multiple roles in assisting viral infection, and the activities in promoting viral infections require unique monosaccharide sequences, suggesting that heparan sulfate could serve as a specific receptor for viral infection. The currently available techniques for the structural analysis of heparan sulfate provide essential information about the specific roles of heparan sulfate in assisting viral infections. The knowledge accumulated in this fast growing field will permit us to have a better understanding of the mechanism of viral infection and will lead to the development of new antiviral agents. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Med Res Rev, 22, No. 1, 1–25, 2002
Structure of metal adducts of anthracyclines probed by absorption, circular dichroism and paramagnetic NMR
Authors: Di Bari Lorenzo , Pintacuda Guido , Ripoli Silvia , Salvadori Piero
Published: August 2002

A structural study of metal ion adducts of a new anthracycline disaccharide (MEN 10755) was undertaken. The trivalent lanthanide ion Yb(III) was employed as paramagnetic structural probe for 1H NMR analysis. Through a comparative spectroscopic investigation [UV–Vis absorption and circular dichroism (CD), 1H NMR], the isomorphism between its adducts with lanthanide ions (La3+, Yb3+, Lu3+) and calcium (one of the most representative biological cations) was verified. Solution behavior and cation binding were also investigated by means of optical titrations. In agreement with other anthracyclines, MEN 10755 was found to dimerize in aqueous solution [estimated Kdim (pH7.6) = 7 × 103], but not in methanol. A prevalent complex Yb3+–MEN 10755 (1:1) in both buffered aqueous and methanolic solutions (estimated Kcompl = 2100 M−1) was observed. A numerical analysis of the LIR and LIS 1H NMR literature data for a similar adduct (Yb3+–daunorubicin) was performed using newly developed software, PERSEUS (Paramagnetic Enhanced Relaxation and Shifts for Eliciting Ultimate Structures), and the structure of the complex was characterized, locating definitely the binding site on the O‐11, O‐12 quinone system. The components of the anisotropic part of the magnetic susceptibility tensor were also determined. Finally, a study of the time‐dependent formation of an Yb3+–MEN 10755 complex through 1H NMR, UV–Vis CD and induced NIR CD was carried out. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Preferential solvation of a tetrapeptide by trifluoroethanol as studied by intermolecular NOE
Authors: Díaz M. Dolores , Berger Stefan
Published: August 2002

Homonuclear and heteronuclear intermolecular NOE measurements were applied to study the solvation of a short model tetrapeptide, NAc‐Ser‐Phe‐Val‐Gly‐OMe, dissolved in water, in trifluoroethanol (TFE) and in mixtures of both. Site specificity of homonuclear NOEs between water and different protons of the peptide was proved. Preferential solvation of the peptide by TFE in water–TFE mixtures was demonstrated by a significant decrease in water–peptide interaction and a concomitant buildup of heteronuclear NOE between the fluorine atoms of TFE and the peptide. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Prostasome‐like particles are involved in the transfer of P25b from the bovine epididymal fluid to the sperm surface
Authors: Frenette Gilles , Sullivan Robert
Published: August 2002

In bulls, P25b is a sperm protein associated with the plasma membrane covering the acrosome. The amount of P25b bound to a constant number of spermatozoa varies from one individual to the other, low levels being associated with bull subfertility. In this study, we describe the epididymal origin of P25b using Western blot analysis. Whereas P25b was undetectable on caput spermatozoa, the amount of P25b associated to a constant number of spermatozoa increases from the corpus to the cauda. Prostasome‐like particles were prepared by ultracentrifugation of epididymal fluid. P25b appears to be also associated with those membranous vesicles in increasing amounts along the epididymis. P25b is anchored to the plasma membrane of spermatozoa through glycosylphosphatidyl‐inositol as shown by the ability of phospholipase C. but not of high salt treatment, to release P25b. Coincubation experiments revealed that prostasome‐like particles are able to transfer P25b to spermatozoa, this process being more efficient at slightly acidic pH. P25b thus appears to be a marker of sperm epididymal maturation in bulls. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 59:115–121, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Establishment and characterization of an immortalized human oviductal cell line
Authors: Lee Yin‐Lau , Lee Kai‐Fai , Xu Jia‐Sen , Wang Yan‐Ling , Tsao Sai‐Wah , Yeung William S.B.
Published: August 2002

Human oviductal cells stimulate embryo development in vitro partly by the production of embryotrophic glycoproteins. The identity of these glycoproteins is not yet known mainly because oviductal samples are limited and that the cultured parental oviductal cells cannot produce sufficient amount of embryotrophic factors for characterization. In this study, human oviductal epithelial cells (OE) were immortalized by HPV 16 E6/E7 open reading frame (ORF) by retroviral expression. The characteristics of this immortalized cell line (OE‐E6/E7) were compared to the parental OE. HPV 16 E6/E7 DNA was found only in OE‐E6/E7 but not in OE. Human oviduct‐specific glycoprotein, estrogen receptors, and cytokeratin were found in both cell types. Both OE and OE‐E6/E7 possessed telomerase activities but the former had much lower activity. OE‐E6/E7 also produced glycoproteins with chromatographic behavior similar to the embryotrophic glycoproteins derived from OE. These results showed that OE‐E6/E7 retained a number of characteristics of OE. The development of preimplantation mouse embryo was significantly better after coculture with OE‐E6/E7 when compared to medium alone culture in term of blastulation rates (52% vs. 32%) and blastocyst diameter (113.0 ± 2.07 μm vs. 83.9 ± 5.23 μm). This immortalized cell line can be used as a continuous and stable in vitro system for the study of the oviductal embryotrophic activity. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 59: 400–409, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Sensitivity calculations and comparisons for shielded elliptical and circular birdcage coils
Authors: De Zanche Nicola , Allen Peter S.
Published: August 2002

An analytical framework is presented which justifies the use of a confocal elliptical shield (previously adopted on empirical or numerical grounds) to limit the spatial extent of the radiofrequency (RF) field produced by an elliptical birdcage coil, while concurrently minimizing field inhomogeneities. From this analytical capability it is further shown that the relative linear mode geometric sensitivities depend only on the shield dimensions and can be readily evaluated, thus providing an upper bound to the improvement in signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) of the damped elliptical birdcage over a circular coil of similar dimensions. The mismatch in the linear mode sensitivities can also be evaluated, and a method for the design of an appropriate feed configuration that ensures quadrature operation is given. Magn Reson Med 47:364–371, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Coronary artery motion with the respiratory cycle during breath‐holding and free‐breathing: Implications for slice‐followed coronary artery imaging
Authors: Keegan Jennifer , Gatehouse Peter , Yang Guang‐Zhong , Firmin David
Published: August 2002

The displacement of the right coronary artery (RCA) origin with respiratory position was determined relative to the dome of the right hemidiaphragm in three orthogonal directions in eight healthy subjects. Both multiple breath‐hold and free‐breathing acquisitions were used, and motion correction factors for slice‐following applications were determined. The correction factors for all three directions showed considerable intersubject variability. The mean superior‐inferior factor was slightly less in free‐breathing than in breath‐holding (0.26 vs. 0.29, P = ns), and much less than the fixed value of 0.6 frequently implemented with slice‐following. The anterior‐posterior correction factors were uniformly low in free‐breathing, and significantly less than those obtained from breath‐holding (0.04 vs. 0.14, P < .05), while the mean left‐right correction factors were approximately 0.1 for both. It is concluded that subject variability in correction factors, together with within‐subject differences between breath‐holding and free‐breathing, is such that slice‐following should be performed with subject‐specific factors determined from free‐breathing acquisitions. Magn Reson Med 47:476–481, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
ADC characterization of region‐specific response to cerebral perfusion deficit in rats by MRI at 9.4 T
Authors: Yushmanov Victor E. , Wang Lei , Liachenko Serguei , Tang Pei , Xu Yan
Published: August 2002

Region‐specific cerebral blood flow (CBF) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) of water in the rat brain were quantified in vivo by high‐field MRI (9.4 T) for 6–7 h after middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Upon occlusion, average CBF fell from about 1.5–2 ml/g/min to below 0.5 ml/g/min in cortical areas and the amygdala, and below 0.2 ml/g/min in the caudate putamen. CBF in some of the homologous contralateral areas also decreased by 20–30%. Average ADC decreased from about 8 · 10−4 to 5 · 10−4 mm2/s in the caudate putamen and parietal cortex. Corresponding changes in ADC were lower in the frontal cortex and negligible in the piriform cortex, suggesting that the perfusion threshold for ADC decrease may be different for different brain regions in the same animal. The area of decreased ADC correlated well with the infarction area revealed by 2,3,5‐triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining of brain slices in vitro. A better understanding of the mechanisms linking ADC and CBF changes to ischemic cell disorders may prove useful in characterizing the degree of tissue damage, and in developing and evaluating treatment strategies. Magn Reson Med 47:562–570, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Representation of strong baseline contributions in 1H MR spectra
Authors: Soher Brian J. , Young Karl , Maudsley Andrew A.
Published: August 2002

A comparison is made between two optimization procedures and two data models for automated analysis of in vivo proton MR spectra of brain, typical of that obtained using MR spectroscopic imaging at 1.5 Tesla. First, a shift invariant wavelet filter is presented that provides improved performance over a conventional wavelet filter method for characterizing smoothly varying baseline signals. Next, two spectral fitting methods are described: an iterative spectral analysis method that alternates between optimizing a parametric description of metabolite signals and nonparametric characterization of baseline contributions, and a single‐pass method that optimizes a complete spectral and baseline model. Both methods are evaluated using wavelet and spline models of the baseline function. Results are shown for Monte Carlo simulations of data representative of both long and short TE, in vivo 1H acquisitions. Magn Reson Med 45:966–972, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy with EcoRI/BlnI fragment size of more than 32 kb
Authors: Vielhaber Stefan , Jakubiczka Sibylle , Schröder J. Michael , Sailer Michael , Feistner Helmut , Heinze Hans‐Jochen , Wieacker Peter , Bettecken Thomas
Published: August 2002

Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is associated with the deletion of a variable number of 3.3‐kb subunits of a tandemly arranged repeat (D4Z4) on chromosome 4q35. EcoRI/BlnI fragments in the range of 10–35 kb are currently defined as disease‐associated. Diagnosis of FSHD is frequently complicated by interchromosomal exchange with a homologous locus on 10q26. We present clinical and laboratory data of six subjects from two unrelated families with a marked FSHD phenotype and EcoRI/BlnI fragments of 39 and 33 kb, respectively. Origin on chromosome 4q35 was confirmed by haplotype analysis in the first family and was supported by pulsed field gel electrophoresis data in the second family. Our data further confirm the existence of a region of overlap of normal and pathological fragments. Fragments from this region can obviously be associated with marked FSHD phenotypes. Furthermore, application of linked markers and resolution of all EcoRI/BlnI fragments by pulsed field gel electrophoresis in addition to routine laboratory tests considerably augments the information obtained from molecular tests, upon which genetic counselling can then be based. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Muscle Nerve 25: 000–000, 2002
Pathophysiology of weakness in a patient with congenital end‐plate acetylcholinesterase deficiency
Authors: Kohara Nobuo , Lin Thy‐Sheng , Fukudome Takayasu , Kimura Jun , Sakamoto Takashi , Kaji Ryuji , Shibasaki Hiroshi
Published: August 2002

A Japanese patient with congenital end‐plate acetylcholine esterase (AChE) deficiency developed severe proximal and truncal muscle weakness with preservation of distal strength. Electrophysiological studies included a train of stimuli at 3 HZ, which induced a marked decremental response in the deltoid but not in the first dorsal interosseous (FDI) muscle. Single fiber electromyography (EMG) revealed a high blocking rate (23.1 ± 30.5%, n = 13) with a markedly increased jitter (mean consectuve difference [MCD] 297 ± 218 μs) in the deltoid, but a low blocking rate (6.2 ± 7.4%, n = 16) despite an equally increased jitter (MCD 227 ± 147 μs) in the FDI. In vitro microelectrode study and computer simulation suggested that the combination of a large jitter and a low blocking rate may be ascribed to a reduced end‐plate potential (EPP) amplitude with an abnormally prolonged decay time constant (τ). These characteristics may constitute the primary underlying pathophysiologic mechanism in our patient and in similar cases of congenital myasthenic syndrome. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Muscle Nerve 25: 000–000, 2002
Diagnostic strategy for familial and sporadic cases of neuropathy associated with 17p11.2 deletion
Authors: Infante Jon , García Antonio , Combarros Onofre , Mateo José I. , Berciano José , Sedano María J. , Gutiérrez‐Rivas Eduardo J. , Palau Francesc
Published: August 2002

Clinical, electrophysiologic and molecular studies were performed on at‐risk members of 14 families with hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsies (HNPP), in order to detect asymptomatic carriers of the 17p11.2 deletion. Sporadic cases due to de novo deletion accounted for 21% of the investigated HNPP families. Approximately one half of deletion carriers were asymptomatic and did not display significant signs on clinical examination. The electrophysiologic hallmark in both symptomatic and asymptomatic deletion carriers was the presence of a nonuniform sensorimotor demyelinating polyneuropathy with conduction abnormalities preferentially located at common entrapment sites and distal nerve segments. A perfect correlation was found between the molecular and electrophysiologic analyses. A reliable screening method to detect clinically unaffected carriers of the deletion in families with HNPP was the evaluation of motor conduction in at least two nerves across usual entrapment sites, especially the ulnar nerve at the elbow, and evaluation of sensory conduction in the sural nerve. In sporadic cases due to a de novo deletion, electrophysiologic studies were suggestive but not sufficient for the diagnosis, and molecular analysis represented the most sensitive diagnostic tool. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Muscle Nerve 24: 1149–1155, 2001
Three‐dimensional finite element analysis of lined tunnels
Authors: Augarde C. E. , Burd H. J.
Published: August 2002

This paper describes finite element procedures that have been developed to model the ground movements that occur when a shallow tunnel is installed in a clay soil. This study is part of a wider project concerned with the development of new methods to predict the likely extent of damage to surface structures caused by nearby shallow tunnelling. This particular paper, however, is concerned only with the numerical model of tunnel installation. The structural liner is an important component of this tunnel installation model; two different ways of modelling the liner (based on continuum elements and shell elements) are discussed in the paper. A test problem consisting of the installation of a lined tunnel in an elastic continuum is used to investigate the merits of these different approaches. When continuum elements are used to model the liner, the numerical results agree well with an analytical solution to the problem. When shell elements are used to model the liner, however, the results were found to be significantly influenced by the particular formulation adopted for the shell elements. Example analyses, involving incremental tunnel construction in a clay soil where the soil is modelled using a kinematic hardening plasticity model, are described. These analyses confirm that a thin layer of continuum elements may be used, satisfactorily, to model tunnel linings in a soil–structure interaction analysis of this sort. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of element size on the static finite element analysis of steep slopes
Authors: Ashford Scott A. , Sitar Nicholas
Published: August 2002

The accuracy of the computed stress distribution near the free surface of vertical slopes was evaluated in this study as a function of the element size, including aspect ratio. To accomplish this objective, a parametric study was carried out comparing stresses computed using the finite element method (FEM) to those obtained from a physical model composed of photoelastic material. The results of the study indicate a reasonable agreement between a gelatin model and the FEM model for shear stresses, and an overall good agreement between the two models for the principal stresses. For stresses along the top of the slope, the height of the element tends to be more important than width or aspect ratio, at least for aspect ratios up to 4. In all cases, the greatest difference between the two models occurs in the vicinity of the slope. Specifically, if H is defined as the slope height, an element height of H/10 appears to be adequate for the study of stresses deep within the slope, such as for typical embankment analyses. However, for cases where tensile stresses in the vicinity of the slope face which are critical, such as for the stability analysis of steep slopes, element heights as small as H/32, or higher‐order elements, are necessary. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Solute transport through a deforming porous medium
Authors: Peters Glen P. , Smith David W.
Published: August 2002

Solute transport through a porous medium is typically modelled assuming the porous medium is rigid. However, many applications exist where the porous medium is deforming, including, municipal landfill liners, mine tailings dams, and land subsidence. In this paper, mass balance laws are used to derive the flow and transport equations for a deforming porous medium. The equations are derived in both spatial and material co‐ordinate systems. Solute transport through an engineered landfill liner is used as an illustrative example to show the differences between the theory for a rigid porous medium, and small and large deformation analysis of a deforming porous medium. It is found that the large deformation model produces shorter solute breakthrough times, followed by the small deformation model, and then the rigid porous medium model. It is also found that it is important to include spatial and temporal void ratio variations in the large deformation analysis. It is shown that a non‐linear large deformation model may greatly reduce the solute breakthrough time, compared to a standard transport analysis typically employed by environmental engineers. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Identifying cut‐off scores with neural networks for interpretation of the incontinence impact questionnaire
Authors: Corcos Jacques , Behlouli Hassan , Beaulieu Sylvie
Published: August 2002

We propose to determine cut‐off scores for the Incontinence Impact Questionnaire (IIQ) based on the neural network (NN) approach. These cut‐off scores should discriminate between patients having poor, moderate, or good quality of life (QoL) secondary to their incontinence problems. Data from two prospectively completed QoL questionnaires, the IIQ (n = 237) and the MOS 36‐Item Short‐Form Health Survey (SF‐36) (n = 237), were analyzed using NN and conventional statistical tools. Kohonen networks identified three distinct clusters of IIQ scores. The three clusters represent the full spectrum of possible scores on the IIQ. We interpreted these clusters as reflecting good, moderate, and poor QoL. We estimated that a score of less than 50 on the IIQ would be representative of good QoL, between 50 and 70 would be moderate QoL, and greater than 70 would be indicative of poor QoL. Validation with the SF‐36 data confirmed these categories. The present study demonstrated that the NN approach is opening new areas in the interpretation and clinical usefulness of QoL questionnaires. NN allowed the identification of three levels of QoL and should be useful in clinical decision making. Neurourol. Urodynam. 21:198–203, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Assessment of the intrinsic urethral sphincter component function in postprostatectomy urinary incontinence
Authors: Pfister Christian , Cappele Olivier , Dunet Frederick , Bugel Hubert , Grise Philippe
Published: August 2002

Postprostatectomy incontinence remains a disabling condition. Sphincter injury, detrusor instability, and decreased bladder compliance have been previously reported as major factors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the urethral sphincter intrinsic component, which may provide passive continence. A urodynamic evaluation was performed in 20 patients undergoing a radical retropubic prostatectomy in the preoperative period and 3 months after surgery. Patients with disabled urinary incontinence underwent a new urodynamic evaluation 6 months later. The urethral pressure profile was measured just before, then 10, 20, and 30 minutes after the injection of 0.5 mg/kg moxisylyte chlorhydrate, an alpha adrenergic blocker. Three different pressure components were defined in urethral sphincter capacity: baseline, adrenergic, and voluntary. A postoperative intrinsic urethral sphincter pressure component was found in 17 patients and its value was under 6 cm H2O in five cases of severe incontinence. No significant difference was observed for these patients on urethral profile components 6 months later. In contrast, in cases of significant intrinsic component value, no incontinence was observed in most patients. Passive continence after radical prostatectomy should be a matter of concern and may also explain paradoxical incontinence, despite high voluntary urethral pressure obtained after reeducation. A follow‐up evaluation of the intrinsic sphincter component is suggested, by using an alpha receptor blockage test during urodynamic studies in the management of patients with postprostatectomy incontinence. Neurourol. Urodynam. 21:194–197, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A strategic view for the development of E‐Business
Authors: Bakry Saad Haj , Bakry Fahed Haj
Published: August 2002

E‐business is becoming increasingly important for countries, organizations and individuals, as it gives them efficiency, and as it integrates them together, and with the world at large. This paper aims at providing a strategic view for the development of e‐business. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Robust location problems with pos/neg weights on a tree
Authors: Burkard Rainer E. , Dollani Helidon
Published: August 2002

In this paper, we consider different aspects of robust 1‐median problems on a tree network with uncertain or dynamically changing edge lengths and vertex weights which can also take negative values. The dynamic nature of a parameter is modeled by a linear function of time. A linear algorithm is designed for the absolute dynamic robust 1‐median problem on a tree. The dynamic robust deviation 1‐median problem on a tree with n vertices is solved in O(n2 α(n) log n) time, where α(n) is the inverse Ackermann function. Examples show that both problems do not possess the vertex optimality property. The uncertainty is modeled by given intervals, in which each parameter can take a value randomly. The absolute robust 1‐median problem with interval data, where vertex weights might also be negative, can be solved in linear time. The corresponding deviation problem can be solved in O(n2) time. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Volatile general anesthetics reveal a neurobiological role for the white and brown genes of Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Campbell Joseph L. , Nash Howard A.
Published: August 2002

Molecular and cellular evidence argues that a heterodimer between two ABC transporters, the White protein and the Brown protein, is responsible for pumping guanine into pigment‐synthesizing cells of the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster. Previous studies have not detected White or Brown outside pigment‐synthesizing cells nor have behavioral effects of null mutants been reported, other than those that are visually dependent. Nevertheless, we show here that exposure to the volatile general anesthetic (VGA) enflurane reveals a difference in neuromuscular performance between wild‐type flies and those that carry a null allele in either the white or brown gene. Specifically, in a test of climbing ability, w1118 or bw1 flies are much less affected by enflurane than are congenic controls. Altered anesthetic sensitivity is still observed when visual cues are reduced or eliminated, arguing that white and brown contribute to neural function outside the eye. This hypothesis is supported by the detection of white message in heads of flies that are genetically altered so as to lack pigment‐producing cells. The w1118 or bw1 mutations also alter the response to a second VGA, halothane, albeit somewhat differently. Under some conditions, the combination of w1118 with another mutation that affects anesthesia leads to a drastically altered phenotype. We consider several ways by which diminished transport of guanine could influence neural function and anesthetic sensitivity. Published 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Neurobiol 49: 339–349, 2001
Progesterone receptors and the sexual differentiation of the medial preoptic nucleus
Authors: Quadros Princy S. , Lopez Veronica , De Vries Geert J. , Chung Wilson C. J. , Wagner Christine K.
Published: August 2002

The central component of the medial preoptic nucleus (MPNc) of the rat has served as an excellent model of sexual differentiation. The MPNc is larger in adult males than in females, and its development is regulated by perinatal gonadal hormones. Although testosterone (T) and its metabolite estradiol (E) sexually differentiate this region, the exact mechanism by which they act during development is not known. There is a dramatic sex difference in the expression of progesterone receptors (PR) in the MPN during development; perinatal males express higher levels of PR than females. Additionally, PR expression during this time is dependent on exposure to T. Thus, PR induction may be one mechanism by which T sexually differentiates the MPN. The present study investigated the potential role of PR in the sexual differentiation of the MPNc. Anatomical examination of PR distribution within the MPN of neonatal males revealed the presence of PR immunoreactive cells within the MPNc, suggesting a direct route of action for PR in the development of the MPNc. Additionally, we measured the effects of neonatal RU486 treatment, a progesterone and glucocorticoid receptor antagonist, on subsequent MPNc volume in neonatally T‐treated females and neonatally castrated males, given T. RU486 treatment reduced the MPNc volume of T‐treated females while it increased the volume in T‐treated, neonatally castrated males. These results, taken together with the expression of PR in the MPNc, suggest that PR may influence the sexual differentiation of the MPNc volume. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Neurobiol 51: 24–32, 2002
Activin type II receptors in embryonic dorsal root ganglion neurons of the chicken
Authors: Kos Ksenija , Fine Larry , Coulombe James N.
Published: August 2002

Activin induces neuropeptide expression in chicken ciliary ganglion neurons. To determine if activin might also influence neuropeptide expression in developing sensory neurons, we examined whether type II activin receptors are expressed during embryonic development of the chicken dorsal root ganglia (DRG), and also examined the effects of activin on neuropeptide expression in cultured DRG neurons. Using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (rtPCR), we detected mRNAs for both the activin receptors type IIA (ActRIIA) and type IIB (ActRIIB) in DRG from embryonic day 7 through posthatch day 1. With in situ hybridization, we found that morphologically identifiable neurons express mRNAs for both ActRIIA and ActRIIB. With developmental age, a subset of neurons that hybridizes more intensely with riboprobes to these receptor mRNAs becomes evident. A similar pattern of expression is observed with immunocytochemical staining using antisera against activin type II receptors. To examine whether embryonic DRG cells respond to activin we treated dissociated cultures of DRG with activin A and assessed the expression of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP) mRNAs using semiquantitative rtPCR. Activin treatment results in an increase in VIP mRNA, but does not affect CGRP mRNA levels. These observations indicate that neurons in the embryonic chicken DRG can respond to activin and suggest that activin has the potential to play a role in the development and function of DRG sensory neurons. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Neurobiol 47: 93–108, 2001
A nearly optimal preconditioner for the Navier–Stokes equations
Authors: Hemmingsson‐Frändén Lina , Wathen Andrew
Published: August 2002

We present a preconditioner for the linearized Navier–Stokes equations which is based on the combination of a fast transform approximation of an advection diffusion problem together with the recently introduced ‘BFBTT’ preconditioner of Elman (SIAM Journal of Scientific Computing, 1999; 20:1299–1316). The resulting preconditioner when combined with an appropriate Krylov subspace iteration method yields the solution in a number of iterations which appears to be independent of the Reynolds number provided a mesh Péclet number restriction holds, and depends only mildly on the mesh size. The preconditioner is particularly appropriate for problems involving a primary flow direction. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.