bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The trade credit decision: evidence of UK firms
Authors: Cheng Nam Sang , Pike Richard
Published: August 2003

Trade credit finance and credit management are gradually gaining the research attention an area of such importance merits. One area, still far from resolved, is why trade credit is extended by non‐financial firms to customers. This paper seeks to identify the generic forces behind the trade credit offer and to explore the empirical support for 20 propositions on credit motives derived from the literature and the implications of such motives to credit policies.

The paper reports findings from a survey of senior finance officers involved in credit management in large UK companies. It assesses the degree to which theoretical explanations for granting trade credit are experienced in practice and whether observed differences attaching to credit motives among firms are associated with variations in credit policies and debtor days.

The study found strong empirical support for seven propositions linked to competitiveness, pricing, investment and financing, and weaker support for a number of other theoretically‐derived motives for trade credit extension. Factor analysis suggested a more insightful approach to classifying trade credit motives, covering investment in customers, customer's operating and financial benefits, supplier's marketing/operational benefits and market pressure to conform. In addition, two factors—customer relations and pricing flexibility—were extracted as motives for varying credit terms. Consistent with our hypothesis average debtor days were found to be significantly higher for those firms emphasising the financing, investment, and pricing flexibility propositions. These findings, and implications for future research, are explored. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Determinants of the collateralization of credit by small firms
Authors: Hulburt Heather M. , Scherr Frederick C.
Published: August 2003

This study presents results of an empirical investigation of debt collateralization using samples of small firms. We examine the fraction of debt that is collateralized and find substantial support for firm size, firm age, and collateral quality as determinants of collateralization. Our results regarding firm size and age are different from prior research and may stem from basic financial differences between small and large firms. We find mixed support for growth opportunities and taxation and little support for default probability, regulation, and form of legal organization as determinants of collateralization. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The product differentiation hypothesis for corporate trade credit
Authors: Blazenko George W. , Vandezande Kirk
Published: August 2003

The product differentiation hypothesis for trade credit says that business managers use trade credit like advertising to differentiate their products. Prior studies of this hypothesis conclude that higher profit margins induce firms to increase trade credit and vice versa. We better represent the relation between the cost of bad debts and the price of the product offered on credit. When prices are higher, firms suffer greater losses from non‐payment. Our model shows that, contrary to early versions of the product differentiation hypothesis, when managers adjust trade credit and profit margins for a perturbation in marginal cost, optimal profit margin and trade credit may move in opposite directions. A manager maintains revenue for price elastic demand by moderating the price increase, which decreases profit margin. At the same time, the manager also increases trade credit, which serves to maintain revenue by encouraging product demand. We report evidence of a negative relation between corporate receivables and profit margin. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Habitual late payment of trade credit: an empirical examination of UK small firms
Authors: Howorth Carole , Reber Beat
Published: August 2003

Quantitative and qualitative data are examined in an analysis of habitual late payment of trade credit by UK small firms. Multivariate logistic regression is employed to test the influence of variables expected to discriminate between small firms which pay late habitually and those which never or only occasionally pay late. Case studies extend quantitative analysis by validating interpretation of the results and providing explanations for unexpected outcomes. The results provide strong evidence of a financing demand for habitual late payment. There is a positive relationship between habitual late payment and difficulty obtaining bank finance and late payment by debtors and a negative relationship with the use of long term sources of finance. The influence of relationships between customer and supplier is shown to be complex. A concentrated supplier base is shown to be positively associated with late payment and case studies provide evidence that this is because increased knowledge of suppliers' credit management procedures is used to pay late without penalties. The implications of this result for the large number of firms that do not enforce their statutory right to interest on late payment are highlighted. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Bank borrowing constraints and the demand for trade credit: evidence from panel data
Authors: Atanasova Christina V. , Wilson Nicholas
Published: August 2003

Monetary policy contractions exacerbate credit constraints stemming from asymmetric information, incentive problems and limited collateral. During such periods financial intermediaries reduce the supply of credit to smaller businesses. Although trade credit is a less desirable alternative of corporate financing, it may play a special role in alleviating credit rationing. This paper is an empirical investigation of the interaction of monetary policy, credit market conditions and corporate financing over the business cycle. It provides a simple test of the existence of a credit channel of monetary policy transmissions. Using individual firm data we find that during periods of tight money the proportion of bank‐borrowing constrained firms increases. Borrowing constrained films are found to substitute away from bank credit to trade credit. Such evidence supports the existence of a credit channel of monetary policy transmission: firms do not voluntarily cut bank loans (e.g. because of demand slowdown) since they increase their demand for a less desirable alternative (trade credit). Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Designing for topical delivery: Prodrugs can make the difference
Authors: Sloan Kenneth B. , Wasdo Scott
Published: August 2003

It has been shown for homologous series of prodrugs that those members who were the more water soluble ones gave the greatest enhancement in topical delivery of the parent drug and not the more lipophilic ones. However, until recently models for topical delivery and equations to predict topical delivery focused only on lipid solubility (SLIPID) or partition coefficient (KOCT:AQ) and molecular volume (or molecular weight, MW) as parameters. Now several equations (transformed Potts–Guy or Series/Parallel) have been developed which include aqueous solubility (SAQ) as a parameter for predicting flux through skin. Experimental fluxes, solubilities, and MW from seven series of prodrugs have been fit to the transformed Potts–Guy equation to give coefficients for log solubility in isopropyl myristate (log SIPM) and log solubility in water (log SAQ) (0.53 and 0.47, respectively) which show, for parent drugs delivered by prodrugs from IPM in vitro through hairless mouse skin, that water solubility is almost as important as lipid solubility. When the transformed Potts–Guy equation was fit to data for the delivery of NSAID from mineral oil (MO) in vivo through human skin, the coefficients were 0.72 log SMO and 0.28 log SAQ. When the transformed Potts–Guy equation was fit to data for the delivery of their parent drugs by three series of prodrugs from water in vitro through hairless mouse skin the coefficients were 0.66 log SIPM and 0.34 log SAQ. Numerous recent examples are also given where more water‐soluble members of homologous series of prodrugs give higher flux values from water vehicles in vitro through human skin than the more lipid soluble ones. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Med Res Rev, 23 No. 6, 763–793, 2003
Anti‐dipsotropic isoflavones: The potential therapeutic agents for alcohol dependence
Authors: Keung Wing Ming
Published: August 2003

Daidzin is the active principle of Radix puerariae (RP), an herbal remedy that has been used apparently safely and effectively for the treatment of “alcohol addiction” in China for more than a millennium. It has been shown to reduce alcohol consumption in all animal models tested to date. A link between daidzin's capacity to reduce alcohol consumption and its ability to increase liver mitochondrial monoamine oxidase (MAO): aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH‐2) activity ratio has been established. Daidzin analogs that potently inhibit ALDH‐2 but not MAO are the most anti‐dipsotropic, whereas those that also inhibit MAO are not. On the basis of these findings, it was proposed that the liver mitochondrial MAO–ALDH‐2 pathway is the primary site of action of daidzin and that a biogenic aldehyde derived from the action of MAO mediates its anti‐dipsotropic action. Therefore, to design and synthesize more potent anti‐dipsotropic analogs, structural features that would enhance ALDH‐2 inhibition and/or decrease MAO inhibition needed to be evaluated. Structure‐activity‐relationship (SAR) studies have revealed that a sufficient set of criteria for a potent anti‐dipsotropic analog is an isoflavone with a free 4′‐OH function and a straight‐chain alkyl at the 7 position that has a terminal polar function such as ‐OH, ‐COOH, or ‐NH2. The preferable chain lengths for the 7‐O‐ω‐carboxy, 7‐O‐ω‐hydroxy, and 7‐O‐ω‐amino substituents are 5≤n ≤10, 2 ≤n ≤6, and n ≥4, respectively. Analogs that meet these criteria have increased potency for ALDH‐2 inhibition and/or decreased potency for MAO inhibition and are, therefore, likely to be potent anti‐dipsotropic agents. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Med Res Rev, 23, No. 6, 669–696, 2003
Discovery of cytochrome P450 1B1 inhibitors as new promising anti‐cancer agents
Authors: Chun Young‐Jin , Kim Sanghee
Published: August 2003

Human cytochrome P450 (CYP)1B1 is a major enzyme for carcinogenic estrogen metabolism and involved in the metabolic activation of procarcinogens of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). CYP1B1 is known to be expressed at a high frequency in various human cancers, but not in normal tissues. It also plays an important role in the metabolism of various anti‐cancer drugs. These findings suggest inhibition of CYP1B1 as a new oncological therapeutic strategy. Several natural and synthetic compounds have been studied in an effort to find the isoform‐specific inhibitors of the CYP1 subfamily. A survey of the inhibitors of CYP1B1 and other related inhibitors of the CYP1 subfamily is provided in this review. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Med Res Rev, 23, No. 6, 657–668, 2003
Structure and function of “metalloantibiotics”
Authors: Ming Li‐June
Published: August 2003

Although most antibiotics do not need metal ions for their biological activities, there are a number of antibiotics that require metal ions to function properly, such as bleomycin (BLM), streptonigrin (SN), and bacitracin. The coordinated metal ions in these antibiotics play an important role in maintaining proper structure and/or function of these antibiotics. Removal of the metal ions from these antibiotics can cause changes in structure and/or function of these antibiotics. Similar to the case of “metalloproteins,” these antibiotics are dubbed “metalloantibiotics” which are the title subjects of this review. Metalloantibiotics can interact with several different kinds of biomolecules, including DNA, RNA, proteins, receptors, and lipids, rendering their unique and specific bioactivities. In addition to the microbial‐originated metalloantibiotics, many metalloantibiotic derivatives and metal complexes of synthetic ligands also show antibacterial, antiviral, and anti‐neoplastic activities which are also briefly discussed to provide a broad sense of the term “metalloantibiotics.” © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Med Res Rev, 23 No. 6, 697–762, 2003
Cost‐utility analysis comparing free and pedicled TRAM flap for breast reconstruction
Authors: Thoma Achilleas , Khuthaila Dana , Rockwell Gloria , Veltri Karen
Published: August 2003

The purpose of this study was to compare the free TRAM to the unipedicled TRAM flap in postmastectomy reconstruction, using a cost‐utility analysis. A decision analytic model was used for this study. Medical costs associated with the two techniques were estimated from the Ontario Ministry of Health Schedule of Benefits (1998). Hospital costs were obtained from St. Joseph's Healthcare, a university hospital in Hamilton, Ontario. Utilities were obtained from 33 “experts” across Canada and then converted into quality‐adjusted life‐years (QALYs). The probabilities of various health states associated with unipedicled and free TRAM flaps were obtained by reviewing several key articles. The free TRAM flap was more costly than the unipedicled TRAM flap, but it provided more QALYs. The baseline incremental cost‐utility ratio (ICUR) was $5,113.73/QALY, favoring adoption of the free TRAM flap. This study showed that the free TRAM flap is a cost‐effective procedure for postmastectomy reconstruction in the Canadian healthcare system. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. MICROSURGERY 23:287–295 2003
Kidney transplantation in rats: An appraisal of surgical techniques and outcome
Authors: Schumacher Martin , Van Vliet Bruce N. , Ferrari Paolo
Published: August 2003

Renal transplantation in rats is an essential experimental tool in transplantation research. The surgical procedure per se could affect the outcome of an experiment, independent of the hypothesis addressed, therefore requiring a standardized method which should be comparable across studies. To date, however, there is little information on the optimal surgical technique. We performed a Medline search on original articles published between 1965–2001 in order to evaluate whether specific technical issues affecting the outcome of the procedure could be defined. Articles that reported on a novel microsurgical procedure, or whose main purpose was the outcome of a surgical technique itself, were included in the analysis. From 2,060 retrieved publications, 34 corresponded to the selection criteria (rats and microsurgery and technique and kidney or renal transplantation). Among the essential determining factors for a good outcome, body weight >200 g and warm ischemic time <30 min were identified. Other important factors were the techniques used for vascular (end‐to‐end and end‐to‐side procedure or sleeve technique) and ureteral (bladder patch or end‐to‐end procedure) anastomosis. Gender, animal strain, type of anesthesia, prophylactic administration of antibiotics, and type of flushing solution did not affect the success of renal allografts. In order to avoid a bias related to the surgical procedure in rat renal transplantation, a warm ischemia time <30 min in animals with a body weight >200 g seems to be essential. Also, end‐to‐end or end‐to‐side vascular anastomoses are preferable to the sleeve technique. Other factors do not influence the immediate function of the graft. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. MICROSURGERY 23:387–394 2003
Adenovirus‐mediated angiopoietin‐1 gene therapy enhances skin flap survival
Authors: Jung Howard , Gurunluoglu Raffi , Scharpf Joe , Siemionow Maria
Published: August 2003

This experimental study investigates the feasibility of pretreating the abdominal skin of a rat with subdermal injections of adenovirus encoding angiopoietin‐1 in order to improve postoperative survival of the skin flap. An epigastric skin flap was used as the model in this study. Rats received subdermal injections of adenovirus encoding either angiopoietin‐1 (treatment group) or green fluorescent protein (treatment control), or they received no treatment (control group). Subdermal injections were made 2 days prior to surgery, and skin flap survival was assessed 7 days afterwards as a percentage of necrotic area over total skin flap area. The treatment group which received adenovirus‐mediated angiopoietin‐1 had a median percent necrotic area of 11.01%, a significant decrease from the control group, which had a median percent necrotic area of 32.24% (P < 0.001). The results of this study suggest the possibility of using adenovirus‐mediated angiopoietin‐1 gene therapy to promote therapeutic angiogenesis in patients who undergo reconstructive procedures. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. MICROSURGERY 23:374–380 2003
Complex oncologic reconstruction of a mandibular and floor of mouth defect with a fibula free flap in an achondroplastic patient
Authors: García‐Rozado Alvaro , Martín Sastre Roberto J. , López Cedrún José L.
Published: August 2003

The fibular free flap is seen as one of the foremost technical options in mandibular reconstruction, especially in those defects where long bone is required. Cases with squamous‐cell carcinoma of the floor of the mouth with mandibular spread and subsequent segmentary mandibular removal are the cornerstone examples. A case of squamous‐cell carcinoma of the whole floor of the mouth with mandibular invasion is reported. Radical resection of the floor of the mouth and bilateral mandibular horizontal ramus was performed, with a bony defect extending from angle to angle. The patient revealed an achondroplastic condition, with remarkable dwarfism and long‐bone morphological alterations, that minimized the potential fibular length to transfer. A microsurgical reconstruction with an osteocutaneous fibular free flap was undertaken. The flap design was technically compromised by the forward bowing of the fibula and the ossification of the interosseous membrane. Specific intraoperative strategies for dealing with anatomic variations are discussed. The fibular free flap is an excellent technique for mandibular reconstruction. Morphological deviations can modify the design of the flap. Achondroplasia is not a deterrent in successful use of the free fibula flap for reconstruction of the head and neck in adequately selected cases. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. MICROSURGERY 23:296–305 2003
End‐to‐side neurorrhaphy: An experimental study in rabbits
Authors: Jaberi Fereidoon Mojtahed , Abbas Babak Pour , Nezhad Simin Torabi , Tanideh Nader
Published: August 2003

The concept of end‐to‐side nerve repair was recently introduced; however, most authors have reported conflicting results with this technique. This study was conducted to assess the effectiveness of end‐to‐side nerve repair in both fresh and predegenerated specimens by histological evaluation in an animal study in rabbits. Thirty male rabbits were divided into three groups. In group 1 (n = 14), the peroneal nerve was divided and sutured end‐to‐side to the tibial nerve via an epineurial window. In group 2 (n = 13), the peroneal nerve was divided and sutured end‐to‐side to the tibial nerve after a 1‐week “predegeneration period.” In group 3 (n = 3), which was considered the control group, the peroneal nerve was divided and sutured to the adjacent soft tissues. After 3 months, specimens were harvested for histological evaluation. Nerve fiber count, in normal peroneal nerves, averaged 532/cross section. In groups 1 and 2, average nerve fiber count in implanted peroneal nerves was 6.24 and 7.00/cross section, respectively. No significant statistical difference was observed between fresh and “predegenerated” groups (P = 0.90). These data suggest that collateral sprouting of donor nerves is possible after end‐to‐side neurorrhaphy through an epineurial window, but the number of nerve fibers in recipient nerves is too low to result in any functional recovery in the target organ. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. MICROSURGERY 23:359–362 2003
Nutritive perfusion at donor site after microvascular fibula transfer
Authors: Hölzle Frank , Swaid Sami , Nolte Dirk , Wolff Klaus‐Dietrich
Published: August 2003

There are many reports on the versatility of the fibular flap, but only a few studies have reported on the morbidity, and none on the nutritive perfusion, of the donor site. This study describes for the first time the quantitative investigation of nutritive perfusion at the donor site after osteomyo‐cutaneous fibula transfer. Tissue nutrition of the lower leg was measured in 25 patients by micro‐lightguide spectrophotometry and laser Doppler flowmetry. In a standardized examination, hemoglobin oxygenation and blood flow of the donor leg and the contralateral leg (intraindividual control) were measured at the nutritive region of the peroneal artery (I), posterior tibial artery (II), and anterior tibial artery (III). In the operated leg, blood flow was significantly reduced in region I with the sacrificed peroneal artery, and significantly increased in region II and III, probably for compensation (P = 0.03). Decreased hemoglobin oxygenation and blood flow of the peroneal region at the donor site were without significance in comparison to the control leg (P = 0.55 and P = 0.35, respectively). Decreased nutritive perfusion at the donor site was below the threshold of clinical manifestation, and supports the low donor site morbidity following fibular grafting. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. MICROSURGERY 23:306–312 2003
Effects of vinblastine on healing in microvascular anastomosis
Authors: Tatlidede Soner , Karsidag Semra Hacikerim , Tosun Ugur , Kabukcuoglu Fevziye , Gul Mustafa , Kuran Ismail
Published: August 2003

Reconstructive microsurgical procedures are getting more common in cancer patients. Adjuvant therapies, such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and immune therapy, are usually combined with surgical approaches to improve outcomes. This study was designed to investigate the effects of preoperative chemotherapy on healing in microvascular anastomosis. As a commonly preferred drug for neoadjuvant cancer treatment, vinblastine was used on rats in our study. Ninety‐three Sprague‐Dawley rats were used and randomly allocated into two groups as 72 experimental and 21 control rats. Vinblastine 2 mg/kg was administered as a single dose intraperitoneally on day 0 in the experimental group. Leukocytes and erythrocytes were counted on days 0, 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, and 15 in 6 rats of the experimental and 6 rats of the control group. We found that the neutropenia period ended on approximately day 7. After applying the medication, the experimental group (n = 72) was divided into three main groups (n = 24). We performed end‐to‐end femoral artery anastomosis on days 7 or 14 or 21, respectively, in each group. Each main group was divided into three subgroups (n = 8), and then we tested patency and took biopsies on days 7 or 14 or 21, respectively, in each subgroup. Histopathologic evaluation was carried out. The comparison of patency tests and pathologic examination indicated that there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. MICROSURGERY 23:354–358 2003
Ultrarapid nonsuture mated cuff technique for renal transplantation in rabbits
Authors: Wu Jun , Ge Xian , Fahy Gregory M.
Published: August 2003

An effective and ultrarapid technique for kidney transplantation in the rabbit is introduced. Vascular anastomosis was completed using a novel cuff technique in which mating cuffs were used to join the delicate renal vein. The ureter was reconstructed by spatulated end‐to‐end anastomosis, with special attention to the rabbit's unique ureteral vascular anatomy. The total vascular anastomosis time was 3.4 ± 1.3 min, and there were no episodes of bleeding or thrombosis. The ureter complication rate was 7.3%. Kidneys transplanted after 5 h of cold storage using the new technique yielded better postoperative creatinine results than similar preserved kidneys transplanted using previously described methods. We suggest this technique for studies of long‐ and short‐term kidney preservation and transplantation in the rabbit, as well as for veterinary transplantation in which donor kidneys must be stored for only a short time before use. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. MICROSURGERY 23:369–373 2003
Microvascular repair following crush‐avulsion type injury with vein grafts: Effect of direct inhibitors of thrombin on patency rate
Authors: Gravvanis Andreas I. , Tsoutsos Dimosthenis A. , Lykoudis Efstathios G. , Iconomou Thomais G. , Tzivaridou Despina V. , Papalois Apostolos E. , Patralexis Charalampos G. , Ioannovich John D.
Published: August 2003

The aim of this study was to develop a standardized effective thrombogenic arterial anastomosis model, as usually encountered in clinical practice, and to offer a detailed evaluation of the antithrombotic effect of thrombin's direct inhibitors, antithrombin III and hirudin, as locally applied. Wistar rats were divided into four groups of 12 animals each. The carotid artery sustained a standardized crush‐avulsion‐type injury (groups B–D). A segment of the afflicted area was removed and replaced by a microvenous graft. Group A had no crush‐avulsion injury inflicted; a microvenous graft replaced a simple resection from the center of the carotid artery. During microvascular anastomoses, normal saline (groups A and B), recombinant hirudin (group C), or antithrombin III (group D) were locally applied. Bleeding times were recorded, and patency tests were performed 20 min, 48 h, and 1 week after blood flow reestablishment. All grafts were harvested and examined histologically. Patency tests, 1 week postrevascularization, demonstrated that this experimental crush‐avulsion injury model ensured low patency in group B (25%), whereas group A, which had no injury inflicted, achieved a 100% patency rate. The local application of hirudin and antithrombin III significantly increased bleeding times as well as the patency rate (92% and 75%, respectively) compared to group B. These findings indicate the efficiency of the experimental model and the potential use of thrombin's direct inhibitors in microvascular surgery. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. MICROSURGERY 23:402–407 2003
Morphology of nerve fiber regeneration along a biodegradable poly (DLLA‐ϵ‐CL) nerve guide filled with fresh skeletal muscle
Authors: Varejão Artur S.P. , Cabrita António M. , Meek Marcel F. , Fornaro Michele , Geuna Stefano , Giacobini‐Robecchi Maria G.
Published: August 2003

Previous morphological and morphometrical studies showed that fresh‐skeletal‐muscle‐enriched vein segments are good conduits for leading peripheral nerve regeneration. In the present study, we investigated the morphological features of peripheral nerve fibers regenerated along a 10‐mm‐long biodegradable poly (DLLA‐ϵ‐CL) nerve guide enriched with fresh skeletal muscle, comparing them to nerve fiber regeneration along 10‐mm‐long phosphate‐buffered saline (PBS)‐enriched poly (DLLA‐ϵ‐CL) tubes. Repaired nerves were analyzed at weeks 6 and 24 postoperatively. Structural and ultrastructural observation showed that good nerve fiber regeneration occurred in both PBS‐enriched and fresh‐skeletal‐muscle‐enriched nerve guides, and histomorphometrical analysis of regenerated myelinated fibers revealed no statistically significant differences between the two experimental groups at week 24 after surgery. The employment of fresh‐muscle‐enriched conduits for the repair of nerve defects is critically discussed in the light of these results. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. MICROSURGERY 23:338–345 2003
Functional assessment of sciatic nerve recovery: biodegradable poly (DLLA‐ϵ‐CL) nerve guide filled with fresh skeletal muscle
Authors: Varejão Artur S.P. , Cabrita António M. , Geuna Stefano , Patrício João A. , Azevedo Horácio R. , Ferreira António J. , Meek Marcel F.
Published: August 2003

The aim of this study was to compare functional peripheral nerve recovery in the rat sciatic nerve model after reconstruction of a 10‐mm gap with a biodegradable poly (DLLA‐ϵ‐CL) nerve guide, as filled with either fresh skeletal muscle or phosphate‐buffered saline (PBS). During 24 weeks of recovery, motor and sensory functional evaluation was tested by extensor postural thrust (EPT) and withdrawal reflex latency (WRL), respectively. At the end of the experiment, anesthetized animals were prepared for motor nerve conduction velocity (MNCV) studies, followed by gastrocnemius and soleus muscle weight measurement. Motor functional recovery was greater in the muscle‐grafted group, and reached a significant difference from weeks 8–12 (P < 0.05). The results of this investigation suggest that filling a nerve guide with fresh skeletal muscle induces faster maturation of regenerated nerve fibers in comparison with traditional tubular repair. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. MICROSURGERY 23:346–353 2003
Strain differences in autotomy in mice after peripheral nerve transection or repair
Authors: Rubinstein Roee E. , Deem Kenneth C. , Jensen John , MacKinnon Susan E. , Tung Thomas H.
Published: August 2003

The purpose of this study was to identify the optimal murine model for the study of peripheral nerve injury and nerve and limb transplantation. The degree of self‐mutilation (autotomy) following sciatic and saphenous nerve injury was assessed in four mouse strains, Balb/C, C57BL/6J, C57BL/10J, and C3HEB, commonly used in surgical research. Experimental groups included sciatic and saphenous nerve transection with repair (n = 9) or without repair (n = 9), as well as housing arrangements favoring social interaction vs. isolation. Autotomy was most prevalent in the Balb/c and C3H strains at 56% and 89% overall, respectively, and was much less frequently seen in the C57Bl/10 and C57Bl/6 strains (22% and 11%, respectively). Autotomy was found to correlate most strongly with mouse strain, and with social contact as well. Two strains, C57BL/6J and C57BL/10J, were found to be highly resistant to self‐mutilation, and are thus ideal animal models for peripheral‐nerve and whole‐limb transplant studies. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. MICROSURGERY 23:363–368 2003
Effect of torsion on microvenous anastomotic patency in a rat model and early thrombolytic phenomenon
Authors: Bilgin S. Sinan , Topalan Murat , Ip W.Y. , Chow S.P.
Published: August 2003

Torsion at the microanastomosis site is a basic fault and should be avoided. In this study, we investigate the effects of different degrees of microvenous torsion on patency and its physical changes on anastomoses in a rat model. One hundred anastomoses were performed at different degrees of torsion, using femoral veins of Sprague‐Dawley rats. Anastomoses were performed at 0°, 45°, 90°, 135°, and 180° of torsion randomly. Patency tests immediately, 1 h, and 1 week after the anastomoses were checked, using the refill test. Measurements of external diameter were recorded at three points: one at the anastomosis site, and the others 2 mm proximal and distal to the anastomotic site. Finally, histopathologic and scanning electron microscopy studies were performed. Subsequently, because of the peculiar phenomenon of early recannulation of the thrombosed vessels, 20 vessels were also explored on the first and the third days postoperatively. The data demonstrate that torsion at 180°, compared with 0°, 45°, and 90°, impaired patency significantly (P < 0.005). In the subsequent study of 20 veins that were thrombosed on the first day, all became patent on the third day and remained so. In conclusion, rotation of a microvenous anastomosis begins to affect the patency rate at 90° of torsion, and at 180° has a patency rate of only 25%. However, all become patent again from the third day onwards. Thrombosis of rat femoral veins without chronic obstruction results in rapid lysis of thrombus and transient proliferative changes. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. MICROSURGERY 23:381–386 2003
Neurovascular anatomy of the rectus femoris flap in the rabbit
Authors: MacQuillan Anthony , Grobbelaar Adriaan
Published: August 2003

The rectus femoris muscle in the rabbit represents a reliable flap for experimental work in many aspects of microsurgery. The operative exposure of the flap is often tricky for those unfamiliar with the anatomy, as is isolation of its neurovascular pedicle. Experience with 59 consecutive rectus femoris flaps demonstrated five separate patterns of arteral and venous pedicles. The nervous anatomy was found to be constant. Once recognized, these vessel patterns can be used to facilitate pedicle dissection, thus minimizing intraoperative mistakes which may endanger the viability of the flap. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. MICROSURGERY 23:395–401 2003
Validation of novel and objective measures of microsurgical skill: Hand‐motion analysis and stereoscopic visual acuity
Authors: Grober Ethan D. , Hamstra Stanley J. , Wanzel Kyle R. , Reznick Richard K. , Matsumoto Edward D. , Sidhu Ravindar S. , Jarvi Keith A.
Published: August 2003

Our purposes were: 1) to establish the predictive validity of stereoscopic visual acuity and microsurgical performance, and 2) to establish the construct and concurrent validity of hand‐motion analysis as an objective and sensitive measure of microsurgical performance. Using a surgical microscope, 50 surgical residents completed a standardized microsurgical suturing task at baseline and following microsurgical training. Microsurgical performance was evaluated by blinded, expert microsurgeons using global rating scales. Measures of stereoscopic visual acuity and hand‐motion analysis were correlated with expert global rating scores. Global rating scores correlated significantly with number of hand movements (r = −0.47, P = 0.001) and hand‐travel distance (r = −0.37, P = 0.008). Economy of hand‐motion improved significantly following microsurgical training (number of hand movements, P = 0.046; hand‐travel distance, P = 0.04). Measures of stereoscopic visual acuity did not correlate significantly with global rating scores. Hand‐motion analysis appears to be an objective and sensitive instrument for assessing microsurgical performance, with evidence of both concurrent and construct validity. The predictive validity of stereoscopic visual acuity and microsurgical performance remains unclear. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. MICROSURGERY 23:317–322 2003
Free latissimus dorsi flap used in treatment of cerebral aspergillosis: A case report and review of the literature
Authors: Antony Anuja K. , Hong Roy W. , Amieva Manuel , Taekman Michael S. , Huhn Stephen L. , Karanas Yvonne L.
Published: August 2003

Cerebral aspergillosis infection is a rare disease in children that carries extremely high morbidity and mortality. Although occurring most commonly in the immunosuppressed patient, cerebral aspergillosis infection has been reported after trauma or neurosurgical procedures. Amphotericin B is the main medical therapy for cerebral aspergillosis. However, surgical treatment is often required for cases of abscess or granuloma formation. Despite aggressive antifungal treatment and surgical intervention, aspergillosis of the central nervous system is often fatal. We present a case report in which a free latissimus dorsi muscle flap was used in conjunction with antifungal medication and surgical debridement to treat intracranial and epidural aspergillosis in a young male following complex craniofacial trauma. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. MICROSURGERY 23:313–316 2003
Distally based radial forearm flap with preservation of the radial artery: Anatomic, experimental, and clinical studies
Authors: Chang Shi‐Min , Hou Chun‐Lin , Zhang Feng , Lineaweaver William C. , Chen Zhong‐Wei , Gu Yu‐Dong
Published: August 2003

In this article we report on the anatomical, experimental, and clinical investigations of the distally adipofascial pedicled radial forearm flap based on the small perforators around the radial styloid process. There are about 10 small perforators (0.3–0.5 mm in diameter) from the distal radial artery around the radial styloid process. The longitudinal chain‐linked vascular plexuses (suprafascial, paraneural, and perivenous) formed by the forearm ascending and descending branches of septofasciocutaneous perforators meet and cross over with the transverse carpal vascular plexuses around the radial styloid region. Based on these directional‐oriented plexuses, distally based adipofascial pedicled radial forearm fasciocutaneous and adipofascial flaps were designed and successfully applied in 34 clinical cases. The pivot point was located at 1–2 cm above the radial styloid. The skin island plus adipofascial pedicle measured between 9–18 cm in length, with the adipofascial pedicle 3–4 cm in width. The length‐to‐width ratio is 3–5:1. The venous drainage of this distally based flap was investigated anatomically and experimentally. The cephalic vein has no positive role for venous drainage in distally based flaps. The difference between distally based flaps and reverse‐flow flaps, clinical selection of fasciocutaneous and adipofascial flaps, advantages and disadvantages, and technical tips for operative success are discussed. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. MICROSURGERY 23:328–337 2003
Effect of exercise on microsurgical hand tremor
Authors: Hsu Patricia A. , Cooley Brian C.
Published: August 2003

This study investigated the effects of upper‐body and aerobic/lower‐body‐only (nonupper‐body) exercise on microsurgical hand tremor. Subjects were given a task of holding a microsurgical needle tip over a small target, with video‐microscopic documentation immediately before and 0, 2, 4, 8, and 24 h after either upper‐body or nonupper‐body (aerobic) exercise. Tremor was quantified by the amount of time the needle was maintained within a 100 × 100‐μm target zone and the number of times the needle extruded from the zone. Both upper‐body and aerobic‐only exercise groups had significant increases in tremor immediately after exercise (P < 0.02), with a return to baseline tremor 2 h after exercise in the aerobic group and only a slightly prolonged return to baseline (by 4 h) in the majority of upper‐body exercise subjects. These findings demonstrate that microsurgical hand tremor increases following exercise, but returns to baseline within 4 h in the majority of individuals, particularly after aerobic‐only workouts. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. MICROSURGERY 23:323–327 2003
Enhanced impedance bandwidth of microstrip antennas using coupling
Authors: Lee Byungje , Harackiewicz France J. , Kang Gi‐Cho , Hong Uiseok , Lee Jong‐Chul , Kim Bok‐Ki
Published: August 2003

This paper presents measured results for the improved bandwidth of a microstrip antenna using coupling techniques in conjunction with matching circuits. The proposed technique is applied to probe‐fed and aperture‐coupled microstrip antennas. The measured bandwidth for a probe‐fed and an aperture‐coupled antenna is increased up to about 14%, which can be further increased by obtaining the proper size of the impedance locus and using the matching technique. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 39: 79–81, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.11133
On forming a symmetrical broad‐beam utilizing a paired curved‐leakywave structure
Authors: Ohtera Isao
Published: August 2003

In this article, an easy method for forming a symmetrical broad‐beam, utilizing a paired curved‐leakywave structure (CLS), is proposed. These radiation structures can be used as millimeter‐wave antennas in relatively short‐range communication, such as indoor wireless LAN and intelligent transport system (ITS). © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 39: 86–88, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.11135
Efficient analysis of large phased arrays using iterative MoM with DFT‐based acceleration algorithm
Authors: Ertürk V. B. , Chou Hsi‐Tseng
Published: August 2003

A discrete Fourier transform (DFT)‐based iterative method of moments (IMoM) algorithm is developed to provide anO(Ntot) computational complexity and memory storages for the efficient analysis of electromagnetic radiation/scattering from large phased arrays. Here,Ntotis the total number of unknowns. Numerical results for both printed and free‐standing dipole arrays are presented to validate the algorithm's efficiency and accuracy. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 39: 89–94, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.11136
Internal planar monopole antenna for GSM/DCS/PCS folder‐type mobile phones
Authors: Teng Pey‐Ling , Chiu Ching‐Yuan , Wong Kin‐Lu
Published: August 2003

This paper presents a novel planar monopole, printed on both sides of a dielectric substrate, which can be concealed within the housing of a folder‐type mobile phone as an internal antenna. The proposed internal planar monopole antenna occupies a small area of 10 × 40 mm2, and is capable of operating in the GSM/DCS/PCS bands. Good radiation characteristics for frequencies across the operating bands are also obtained. Details of the proposed antenna design and the obtained experimental results are presented. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 39: 106–108, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.11140
Dielectric properties of strontium sodium niobate ceramics using the microwave cavity perturbation technique
Authors: Yohannan Jaimon , Jacob Joe , Lonappan Anil , Mathew K. T.
Published: August 2003

Dielectric properties of strontium sodium niobate ceramics at the S band of microwave frequencies are studied using a network analyzer. The microwave cavity perturbation technique is employed for this study. Dielectric parameters such as complex permittivity and conductivity of strontium sodium niobate ceramics are determined by measuring the changes in the resonant frequencies and Q values of the cavity, due to the introduction of the sample. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 39: 112–115, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.11142
Radiating features of capacitive and inductive impedance surfaces
Authors: Bilotti Filiberto , Vegni Lucio
Published: August 2003

The radiating features of capacitive and inductive impedance surfaces are investigated in this paper. The analysis is particularly devoted to integrated structures with reactive ground planes and is performed through a full‐wave Green's function approach in the spectral domain. Some numerical examples, obtained by exploiting such a rigorous formulation, are also presented to illustrate the radiating behaviour of infinitesimal horizontal printed dipoles mounted on reactively loaded integrated structures. It is shown in detail that capacitive surfaces are more suitable than inductive ones for integrated antenna applications, due to both their effectiveness in enhancing the radiation intensity in presence of very thin substrates and their capability of maintaining good radiating performances over a wide frequency range. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 39: 117–121, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.11144
A design method for improvement of λg/4 coupled‐line narrow bandpass filter response
Authors: Prigent G. , Rius E. , Le Pennec F. , Le Maguer S.
Published: August 2003

This paper discusses various changes made in classical coupled‐line narrow bandpass filters to somehow improve frequency response. First, the resonator's strip width was broadened to improve the lines' unloadedQfactor. Second, the in/out coupled‐line sections were replaced by tapped‐line feeding. Finally, a transmission zero was added via a geometrical modification that favors nonadjacent resonator coupling. The theoretical and experimental results obtained with these microstrip filters are compared. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 39: 121–125, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.11145
Design of stacked offset antenna arrays for ISM‐band applications
Authors: See T. S. P. , Chen Zhi Ning
Published: August 2003

In this paper, a linear dual‐polarized stacked antenna array that operates well within the ISM‐band for W‐LAN base station applications is presented. The array comprises a bottom patch diagonally fed by a microstrip line and a superstrate layer with four parasitic patches stacked above the bottom layer. The design parameters are simulated and the impedance and radiation characteristics of an optimized antenna configuration are presented and compared against the measured results. The antenna is shown to satisfy the requirements for a base‐station antenna and capable of having a broad bandwidth for VSWR ≤ 1.5. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 39: 125–129, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.11146
Electrical and optical properties of CaCu3Ti4O12 (CCTO) substrates for microwave devices and antennas
Authors: Kretly L. C. , Almeida A. F. L. , de Oliveira R. S. , Sasaki J. M. , Sombra A. S. B.
Published: August 2003

The solid‐state procedure is used to produce bulk ceramics of CCTO (CaCu3Ti4O12). The samples of the CCTO ceramic are studied by X‐ray powder diffraction and infrared and Raman scattering spectroscopy. The infrared and Raman scattering spectroscopy confirm the formation of the CCTO phase, as seen by X‐ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. One experimental procedure uses an organic binder in the process of shaping the samples. In the second procedure, the samples were prepared without the presence of the organic phase, and we obtained a higher dielectric constant (K = 7370) with higher loss (D = 0.2) at 1 KHz. For the first procedure, a lower dielectric constant (K = 1530) and lower loss (D = 0.11) at 1 KHz were obtained. Simple rectangular antenna prototypes were also designed on substrate samples (C1, C2, P1, and P2). For the antennas with P2, C1, and C2 as substrates, the bandwidth (BW) is 90 MHz (around 3%). The antenna with P1 substrate presents a surprisingly high BW of 270 MHz, which corresponds to a 10% bandwidth. Such a value is in accordance with the requirements for planar antennas in a variety of wireless communication systems such as WLAN, PCS, Wi‐Fi, and other protocols. Therefore, these measurements confirm the potential use of such materials for small high‐dielectric planar antennas (HDAs). These materials are also attractive for capacitor applications as well as for microelectronics and microwave devices (cellular mobile phones, for example), where miniaturization of the devices is crucial. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 39: 145–150, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.11152
A new compact 1D PBG microstrip structure with wider stopband based on semiconductor substrate
Authors: Zhang Wenmei , Sun Xiaowei , Mao Junfa , Qian Rong , Zhang Dan
Published: August 2003

A new type of compact one dimensional (1D) microstrip photonic bandgap (PBG) used for filters is presented. A semiconductor‐based structure of a miniature band‐stop filter with three cells is simulated, realized, and measured. Basic agreement between the experimental and simulated results have been achieved. The filter with the proposed PBG structure exhibits wide, deep, and steep stop‐band characteristics, and also has less loss and ripples in the pass‐band. Thus, the new PBG structure can be used for low‐pass as well as high‐pass filters. The period of the PBG lattice is about (1/5 ∼ 1/4) λe(λeis the guiding wavelength at the center frequency of the stop‐band), or 0.08 λ0(λ0is the wavelength in air). The filter with the new PBG structure is much easier to fabricate and integrate with other circuits and is more compact than conventional filters. The results in our paper are based on semiconductor substrate and can be applied directly in MIC and MMIC. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 39: 150–152, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.11153