bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
DNA topoisomerase IIα predicts progression‐free and overall survival in pediatric malignant non‐brainstem gliomas
Authors: Bredel Markus , Pollack Ian F. , Hamilton Ronald L. , Birner Peter , Hainfellner Johannes A. , Zentner Josef
Published: August 2002

Malignant non‐brainstem glioma (MNBG) is a rare pediatric brain tumor. The prognosis for children harboring this lesion remains largely unpredictable. Assessment of histologic features alone only provides a marginal insight into the biologic behavior of these lesions. Hence, the identification of novel molecular markers capable of characterizing these lesions more accurately with respect to their biologic aggressiveness is definitely needed. Our current study examined the expression of nuclear DNA topoisomerase IIα (TIIα), a novel marker of cell cycle turnover and a determinant of tumor cell resistance to chemotherapy, in a series of 17 archival pediatric MNBGs. TIIα expression was found to extend over a wide range in the study cohort (3.9–69.1%). A cutoff labeling index of 12% was found to define 2 prognostic subgroups (TIIα <12vs.≥12) with profoundly different 5‐year progression‐free survival (60%vs.8%;p= 0.0108, log‐rank test) and overall survival (100%vs.8%;p= 0.0038) rates. TIIα expression was significantly linked to MIB‐1 antibody labeling of the Ki‐67 nuclear antigen (R= 0.919,p< 0.001). A high TIIα labeling index remained associated with short progression‐free survival (p= 0.022) and overall survival (p= 0.022) in multivariate analysis (Cox regression). In conclusion, considering that TIIα expression was not related to histopathologic grade, biological characteristics as assessed by TIIα labeling may complement the information obtained by tumor morphology as a means of improving the accuracy of patient prognosis prediction. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Integrin α3 expression as a prognostic factor in colon cancer: Association with MRP‐1/CD9 and KAI1/CD82
Authors: Hashida Hiroki , Takabayashi Arimichi , Tokuhara Takahiro , Taki Toshihiko , Kondo Keiichi , Kohno Nobuoki , Yamaoka Yoshio , Miyake Masayuki
Published: August 2002

Recently, we established that a murine monoclonal antibody (MAb) MH8‐4 inhibits the motility of the colon cancer cell line RPMI4788 and that it recognizes integrin α3. In addition, we have also cloned the motility‐related protein‐1 (MRP‐1)/cluster of differentiation 9 (CD9) as a metastasis suppressor molecule. We investigated integrin α3 expression in 114 resected colon cancers using immunohistochemistry and reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) to evaluate whether these experimental results are of relevance in the prognosis of actual colon cancers. Furthermore, we investigated the correlation of integrin α3 with MRP‐1/CD9 and KAI1/CD82. Sixty patients (52.6%) were evaluated as integrin α3‐positive and 54 patients (47.4%) as integrin α3‐negative. Integrin α3 expression was associated with tumor status, lymph node status and pathologic stage. The overall and disease‐free survival rates for patients whose tumors were positive for integrin α3 were significantly higher than for those with integrin α3‐negative tumors (p< 0.001 andp< 0.001, respectively). This same tendency was observed in node‐negative patients (p= 0.007 andp= 0.001, respectively). Integrin α3 was found to be the significant prognostic factor in a multivariate analysis using the Cox proportional hazards model (p= 0.036). A correlation was found between integrin α3 with MRP‐1/CD9 and KAI1/CD82 for stage I tumors. However, no correlation was found in stage III tumors. Our data seem to suggest that low expression of integrin α3 is a useful indicator of a poor prognosis for colon cancer patients and that colon cancer progresses following collapse of the complex formed by integrin α3 with MRP‐1/CD9 and KAI1/CD82. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Preferences for emigration among skilled citizens in Botswana
Authors: Campbell Eugene K.
Published: August 2002

Botswana has enjoyed a buoyant economy since the 1980s, and this has made the country attractive to its citizens as well as immigrants from other countries. Although it exported large numbers of migrants to South Africa in the past, very few skilled nationals have left the country to work elsewhere. But, with increasing production of professional Batswana (citizens of Botswana) and limited employment opportunities, it is becoming ever more likely that emigration could soon be an important issue for policy‐makers. It is with this background that the Southern African Migration Project decided to conduct an empirical study in Botswana in 1998 to investigate the country's exposure to brain‐drain. The results indicate that economic dependency on skilled nationals is fairly high; this partly explains why many are dissatisfied with their income level even though salaries in Botswana are higher than in most African countries. Young people are more inclined to consider emigrating than their older counterparts. Being married serves to deter plans about emigration, while education contributes significantly to a preference to emigrate. The most important reason for contemplating becoming an international labour migrant is anxiety over the prospect of professional advancement. Equally important is the level of income. There is a need for the government to implement actions that would increase employees' confidence in fairness over individual professional and career enhancement. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Coming of age: rethinking the role of children in population studies
Authors: McKendrick John H.
Published: August 2002

Children feature prominently in migration, fertility and mortality studies and are evident in those more broadly‐based geographies which consider the importance of population to socio‐economic and environmental issues. However, it is argued that the population geography of childhood is a mirage, in that children are ever‐present, but never really there. Trends toward the pursuit of ‘peopled’ population geographies and the emergence of a (social) geography of childhood provide contexts within which new population geographies involving children can emerge. Such geography holds out the prospect of enriching our understanding of population patterns and processes. To realise this goal necessitates a theoretical engagement with children and childhood. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Design and implementation of real‐time software‐based H.261 video codec
Authors: Chen Wen‐Shiung , Peng Yuan‐Yu , Chang Yung‐Tsang , Wang Jen‐Tse
Published: August 2002

ITU‐T H.261 is a video coding standard for videophone and video‐conferencing applications on LAN and ISDN, which requires a great amount of computing power for DCT and motion estimation, traditionally provided by hardware. Since motion estimation is a major problem in developing real‐time video codec, in this paper we propose a simple and fast motion estimation algorithm to reduce searching time. Mainly, a real‐time software‐based H.261 video codec is investigated and implemented, in which several fast methods such as programming technique and Intel MMX™ instruction are used to improve computing speed. The experimental results have demonstrated that our H.261 codec can compress video in CIF format over 30 fps and in QCIF at 105 fps, and can achieve a very high decoding rate. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Imaging Syst Technol 12, 73–83, 2002; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ima.10013
Graph models applied to specification, simulation, allocation, and scheduling of real‐time computer vision applications
Authors: Torres F. , Candelas F. A. , Puente S. T. , Ortiz F. G.
Published: August 2002

This paper describes how graph models are applied to specification, simulation, allocation, and scheduling of real‐time computer vision applications. Furthermore, we present a new environment that allows the user to specify a Computer Vision program using graphic schemes and evaluates allocation and scheduling methods for the schemes. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Imaging Syst Technol, 11, 287–291, 2000
Attachment in low‐SES rural Appalachian infants: Contextual, infant, and maternal interaction risk and protective factors
Authors: Fish Margaret
Published: August 2002

Attachment classifications were obtained for 95 low‐socioeconomic‐status (SES) rural Appalachian infants in the Strange Situation procedure at 15 months. The distribution of secure (B) and insecure (A, C, D) infants was similar to other low‐SES samples and significantly different from low‐risk samples. Levels of contextual and infant risk, together with maternal responsiveness to crying and pattern of sensitivity from 4 to 9 months, predicted attachment security. High social support, when examined as a protective factor, related to reduced contextual risk, but not to increased likelihood of security. Exploratory discriminant function analyses showed that infants in secure relationships differed in positive directions on contextual and maternal interactional factors. Insecure‐organized (A and C) infants experienced contextual and maternal interaction risks, while insecure‐disorganized (D) infants were best distinguished by infant characteristics, including greater likelihood of being male and low use of mother as a secure base at 9 months. ©2001 Michigan Association for Infant Mental Health.
Wrapped input selection using multilayer perceptrons for repeat‐purchase modeling in direct marketing
Authors: Viaene Stijn , Baesens Bart , Poel Dirk Van den , Dedene Guido , Vanthienen Jan
Published: August 2002

In this paper, we try to validate existing theory on and develop additional insight into repeat‐purchase behavior in a direct marketing setting by means of an illuminating case study. The case involves the detection and qualification of the most relevant RFM (Recency, Frequency and Monetary) variables, using a neural network wrapper as our input pruning method. Results indicate that elimination of redundant and/or irrelevant inputs by means of the discussed input selection method allows us to significantly reduce model complexity without degrading the predictive generalization ability. It is precisely this issue that will enable us to infer some interesting marketing conclusions concerning the relative importance of the RFM predictor categories and their operationalizations. The empirical findings highlight the importance of a combined use of RFM variables in predicting repeat‐purchase behavior. However, the study also reveals the dominant role of the frequency category. Results indicate that a model including only frequency variables still yields satisfactory classification accuracy compared to the optimally reduced model. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Loss function‐based evaluation of DSGE models
Authors: Schorfheide Frank
Published: August 2002

In this paper we propose a Bayesian econometric procedure for the evaluation and comparison of DSGE models. Unlike in many previous econometric approaches we explicitly take into account the possibility that the DSGE models are misspecified and introduce a reference model to complete the model space. Three loss functions are proposed to assess the discrepancy between DSGE model predictions and an overall posterior distribution of population characteristics that the researcher is trying to match. The evaluation procedure is applied to the comparison of a standard cash‐in‐advance (CIA) and a portfolio adjustment cost (PAC) model. We find that the CIA model has higher posterior probability than the PAC model and achieves a better in‐sample time series fit. Both models overpredict the magnitude of the negative correlation between output growth and inflation. However, unlike the PAC model, the CIA model is not able to generate a positive real effect of money growth shocks on aggregate output. Overall, the impulse response dynamics of the PAC model resemble the posterior mean impulse response functions more closely than the responses of the CIA model. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
In vitroandin vivogenetic toxicology studies with diethylene glycol monohexyl ether
Authors: Ballantyne Bryan , Vergnes Jane S.
Published: August 2002

Diethylene glycol monohexyl ether (DEGHE; CAS no. 112‐59‐4), an industrial chemical, was investigated for the potential to produce genotoxic effects using threein vitroand twoin vivotests. No mutagenic activity occurred in either the absence or presence of metabolic activation with aSalmonella typhimuriumreverse assay using strains TA98, TA100, TA1535, TA1537 and TA1538. In a Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) forward gene mutation test (HGPRT locus) there was an increase in the mutation frequencies, which were relatively small compared with the solvent control values, somewhat inconsistent between duplicate cultures and occurred particularly in the presence of metabolic activation. Linear regression analysis indicated a marginally significant trend for dosage versus mutation frequency, suggesting that DEGHE was weakly positive in this test. A sister chromatid exchange test in CHO cells showed no significant dosage‐related effects in the presence or absence of metabolic activation. A peripheral blood micronucleus test in mice by dosing with an intraperitoneal injection of DEGHE did not show any potential for DEGHE to increase the incidence of micronucleated polychromatophilic erythrocytes. In a first femoral bone marrow chromosome aberration test in the rat by peroral dosing, DEGHE did not cause any increase in aberrations for 12‐h and 24‐h samples with males and females or with females at 48‐h sampling. However, with males at 48 h the two lowest doses showed an increased number of aberrations, but not at the high doses. A repeat study in males with a larger number of doses and 24‐h and 48‐h samples did not replicate this finding. It is concluded that DEGHE may have limited weak mutagenic activityin vitrobut is devoid of clastogenic potential. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Attachment, spreading, and matrix formation by human gingival fibroblasts on porous‐structured titanium alloy and calcium polyphosphate substrates
Authors: El Sayegh Tarek Y. , Pilliar Robert M. , McCulloch Christopher A. G.
Published: August 2002

Porous calcium polyphosphate (CPP) structures represent promising resorbable implant systems that can promote anchorage to connective tissues. Previous studies focused on chondrocyte interactions with CPP, but there are limited data on interactions of soft connective tissue cells with these materials. We studied attachment, spreading, and matrix formation by human gingival fibroblasts when cultured on amorphous and crystalline CPP. Comparison with porous Ti6Al4V substrates of similar volume percent, porosity, and pore size distribution provided evaluations of fibroblast interactions with rapid, moderate, and nonbiodegradable systems, respectively. Cells were incubated on substrates in medium containing ascorbic acid and evaluated at 3, 24, 48, 72, and 96 h after plating. Attached cell counts, cytoplasmic actin filament area, and immunostained extracellular type 1 collagen or fibronectin were quantified by morphometric analyses using epifluorescence microscopy. Cell morphology and substrate interactions were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy. Spreading, attachment, and matrix production were similar for both CPP substrates. In contrast, titanium alloy substrates exhibited threefold more attachment and twofold more spreading than CPP substrates. The area per cell of immunostained extracellular collagen and fibronectin was similar for the three different substrates. The results indicate that the crystallinity and, hence, degradation rate of CPP substrates does not substantially affect the interactions of fibroblasts with CPP materials but that compared with titanium alloy substrates, spreading and attachment are inhibited. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res 61: 482–492, 2002
Adverse reactions associated with mobile therapeutic apheresis:Analysis of 17,940 procedures
Authors: Kiprov Dobri D. , Golden Patricia , Rohe Regina , Smith Sheila , Hofmann Jan , Hunnicutt John
Published: August 2002

In order to evaluate the nature and frequency of adverse reactions associated with Therapeutic Apheresis (TA), database information from two large mobile apheresis services was analyzed. A total of 17,940 procedures performed on 3,583 patients were studied using an Access Database. Seventy percent (12,558) of the procedures were performed on a Fresenius AS104 blood cell separator and 30% (5,382) were performed on a COBE Spectra. The five most commonly treated diseases were Guillain‐Barre Syndrome (25%), thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (20%), myasthenia gravis (18%), the hyperviscosity syndrome (12%), and chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (9%). All patients received calcium gluconate supplement during the procedures. Cardiac monitoring was used during 80% of the procedures and blood pressure monitoring was used during all procedures. All procedures were supervised by a physician. Both apheresis services fully comply with the ASFA Guidelines for Therapeutic Apheresis Providers. Adverse reactions occurred in 3.9% of all procedures. The following adverse reactions were documented: reactions related to ACD toxicity (3%), vasovagal reactions (0.5%), vascular access related complications (0.15%), reactions related to FFP (0.12%), hepatitis B from FFP (0.06%), arrhythmias (0.01%), hemolysis due to inappropriate dilution of 25% albumin (0.01%), and one death (from underlying disease) during a TA procedure (0.006%). These data demonstrate that therapeutic apheresis is associated with a low rate of side effects when performed by well‐trained and certified nurses under the direction of experienced physicians, even in the diverse setting of large mobile therapeutic apheresis programs. J Clin Apheresis 16:130–133, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Cepharanthine activates caspases and induces apoptosis in Jurkat and K562 human leukemia cell lines
Authors: Wu Jianghong , Suzuki Haruhiko , Zhou Yan‐Wen , Liu Wei , Yoshihara Motoi , Kato Masashi , Akhand Anwarul A. , Hayakawa Akemi , Takeuchi Kei , Hossain Khaled , Kurosawa Mio , Nakashima Izumi
Published: August 2002

Cepharanthine (CEP) is a known membrane stabilizer that has been widely used in Japan for the treatment of several disorders such as anticancer therapy‐provoked leukopenia. We here report that apoptosis was induced by low concentrations (1–5 μM) of CEP in a human leukemia T cell line, Jurkat, and by slightly higher concentrations (5–10 μM) in a human chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) cell line K562, which expresses a p210 antiapoptotic Bcr‐Abl fusion protein. Induction of apoptosis was confirmed in both Jurkat and K562 cells by DNA fragmentation and typical apoptotic nuclear change, which were preceded by disruption of mitochondrial membrane potential and were induced through a Fas‐independent pathway. CEP treatment induced activation of caspase‐9 and ‐3 accompanied by cleavage of PARP, Bid, lamin B1, and DFF45/ICAD in both Jurkat and K562 cells, whereas caspase‐8 activation and Akt cleavage were observed only in Jurkat cells. The CEP‐induced apoptosis was completely blocked by zVAD‐fmk, a broad caspase inhibitor. Interestingly, CEP treatment induced remarkable degradation of the Bcr‐Abl protein in K562 cells, and this degradation was prevented partially by zVAD‐fmk. When used in combination with a nontoxic concentration of herbimycin A, lower concentrations (2–5 μM) of CEP induced obvious apoptosis in K562 cells with rapid degradation or decrease in the amount of Bcr‐Abl and Akt proteins. Our results suggest that CEP, which does not have bone marrow toxicity, may possess therapeutic potential against human leukemias, including CML, which is resistant to anticancer drugs and radiotherapy. J. Cell. Biochem. 82: 200–214, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Bcl‐2 overexpression decreases BCNU sensitivity of a human glioblastoma line through enhancement of catalase activity
Authors: Del Bufalo Donatella , Trisciuoglio Daniela , Biroccio Annamaria , Marcocci Lucia , Buglioni Simonetta , Candiloro Antonio , Scarsella Marco , Leonetti Carlo , Zupi Gabriella
Published: August 2002

The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of bcl‐2 in 1,3‐bis(2‐chloroethyl)‐1‐nitrosourea (BCNU) sensitivity of the ADFS human glioblastoma cell line in vitro and in vivo. To this end, the ADFS line expressing a low level of the bcl‐2 protein was transfected with a bcl‐2 expression vector. We found that bcl‐2 overexpressing clones were less sensitive to in vitro BCNU treatment than the control clone. Cell cycle analysis demonstrated that while BCNU induced a consistent block in S/G2‐M phases of the cell cycle in the control clone, it did not affect the cell cycle phase distribution of the two bcl‐2 transfectants. The different sensitivity to BCNU was unrelated to the ability of bcl‐2 to inhibit apoptosis, while bcl‐2 appeared to protect bcl‐2 transfectants from BCNU toxicity through an increase of catalase activity. The ability of the catalase inhibitor, sodium azide, to increase the BCNU sensitivity of the bcl‐2 transfectants to levels of the BCNU‐treated control clone substantiated the role of the catalase activity. The effect of bcl‐2 in reducing sensitivity to BCNU was also confirmed by in vivo experiments. Xenografts of bcl‐2 overexpressing tumors were less sensitive to BCNU treatment than xenografts originating from control cells. J. Cell. Biochem. 83: 473–483, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Differential gene expression of cultured human osteoblasts
Authors: Shur I. , Lokiec F. , Bleiberg I. , Benayahu Dafna
Published: August 2002

Human cells with osteogenic capacity were studied for differential gene expression. In the first part of the study we compared gene expression of marrow stroma cells (MSC) in comparison to matured osteoblasts cultured from trabecular bone (TBC) that were analyzed by RT‐PCR for series of messages. High expression was detected for PTH‐r, TGFb1 and biglycan in TBC compared to MSC's. The messages for c‐MYC, IL‐6, IL‐11, M‐CSF, osteonectin, and osteocalcin were expressed at the same level in the two populations of cells. In the second part of the study, we analyzed gene expression within the MSC derived from 25 donors (2.5–49 years old) with respect to donors' age and gender. Increased message levels for M‐CSF and biglycan were measured in correlation with age of the donors. Gender differences did not affect the expression of cytokines studied (IL‐6, IL‐11, MCSF, TGFb1). We investigated the effect of Dexamethasone treatment on MSC and monitored an increased expression of IL‐11, M‐CSF, biglycan, and osteocalcin messages. This study employs primary cell systems (MSC and TBC) to illustrate differential gene expression by osteoblastic cells. The expression was correlated with maturation status of the cells with respect to differences between donors. J. Cell. Biochem. 83: 547–553, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
An efficient parallel algorithm for the calculation of canonical MP2 energies
Authors: Baker Jon , Pulay Peter
Published: August 2002

We present the parallel version of a previous serial algorithm for the efficient calculation of canonical MP2 energies (Pulay, P.; Saebo, S.; Wolinski, K. Chem Phys Lett 2001, 344, 543). It is based on the Saebo–Almlöf direct‐integral transformation, coupled with an efficient prescreening of the AO integrals. The parallel algorithm avoids synchronization delays by spawning a second set of slaves during the bin‐sort prior to the second half‐transformation. Results are presented for systems with up to 2000 basis functions. MP2 energies for molecules with 400–500 basis functions can be routinely calculated to microhartree accuracy on a small number of processors (6–8) in a matter of minutes with modern PC‐based parallel computers. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem 23: 1150–1156, 2002
Dynamics of large proteins through hierarchical levels of coarse‐grained structures
Authors: Doruker Pemra , Jernigan Robert L. , Bahar Ivet
Published: August 2002

Elastic network models have been successful in elucidating the largest scale collective motions of proteins. These models are based on a set of highly coupled springs, where only the close neighboring amino acids interact, without any residue specificity. Our objective here is to determine whether the equivalent cooperative motions can be obtained upon further coarse‐graining of the protein structure along the backbone. The influenza virus hemagglutinin A (HA), composed of N=1509 residues, is utilized for this analysis. Elastic network model calculations are performed for coarse‐grained HA structures containing only N/2, N/10, N/20, and N/40 residues along the backbone. High correlations (>0.95) between residue fluctuations are obtained for the first dominant (slowest) mode of motion between the original model and the coarse‐grained models. In the case of coarse‐graining by a factor of 1/40, the slowest mode shape for HA is reconstructed for all residues by successively selecting different subsets of residues, shifting one residue at a time. The correlation for this reconstructed first mode shape with the original all‐residue case is 0.73, while the computational time is reduced by about three orders of magnitude. The reduction in computational time will be much more significant for larger targeted structures. Thus, the dominant motions of protein structures are robust enough to be captured at extremely high levels of coarse‐graining. And more importantly, the dynamics of extremely large complexes are now accessible with this new methodology. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem 23: 119–127, 2002
Portable electrochemical blood uric acid meter
Authors: Kuo Chin‐Sung , Hwu Chii‐Min , Lin Yueh‐Hui , Huang Ya‐Hsueh , Kao Wei‐Yi , Weih Mei‐Jy , Hsiao Li‐Chuan , Kwok Ching Fai , Ho Low‐Tone
Published: August 2002

We describe a new portable uric acid (UA) meter, called the UASure® (Apex Biotechnology Corp., Hsinchu, Taiwan). The UASure® is an electrochemical blood UA meter designed for fast monitoring of UA concentrations in one drop of capillary blood using an electrochemical test strip. We compared the UASure® with the standard method, the Hitachi 7600 modular system (Hitachi, Tokyo, Japan), in 146 volunteers (average age 62.5 ± 12.8 years). Of these, 65 were known hyperuricemic subjects, 17 of whom received medical therapy. The patients donated their capillary and venous blood samples in random order. Capillary blood and one drop of venous blood were tested immediately by the UASure®. The venous blood in the test tube was sent to the central laboratory for serum UA measurement by the Hitachi 7600. The intra‐assay coefficients of variation (CVs) of the UASure® were 4.79%, 5.77%, and 3.08% at UA levels of 5.8, 7.1, and 13.5 mg/dl, respectively. The UA concentrations tested by the UASure® correlated well with those by the Hitachi 7600 (r = 0.87 in venous sampling and r = 0.78 in capillary sampling, P < 0.001). The intraclass correlation was good for venous samples by the UASure® (rI = 0.84, 95% CI 0.82–0.90), somewhat below the meaningful criterion for capillary samples by the UASure® (rI = 0.77, 95% CI 0.69–0.83). UASure® with venous sampling is interchangeable with the standard method for UA measurement. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 16:109–114, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Variability in molecular typing of Coxsackie A viruses by RFLP analysis and sequencing
Authors: Siafakas Nikolaos , Markoulatos Panayotis , Stanway Glyn
Published: August 2002

The aim of the present study was to develop an assay capable of classifying the Coxsackie A virus (CAV) prototype strains on the basis of restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis of 5′‐UTR‐derived reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) amplicons, and to determine how these data could be used for typing wild‐type CAV isolates. Moreover, sequencing of the amplified genomic fragments of the clinical isolates, and comparison with all the published sequences of the respective genomic region of enterovirus reference and wild‐type strains were attempted for typing of the isolates. Twenty‐four prototype CAV strains from the 23 currently recognized serotypes were studied; most of them were successfully differentiated with the aid of four restriction endonucleases: HaeIII, HpaII, DdeI, and StyI. It was not possible to differentiate between CAV5, 7, and 16, or between CAV15 and 18 in this way, but the members of each of these two groups were satisfactorily differentiated with the aid of single‐strand conformational polymorphism (SSCP) analysis of their RT‐PCR amplicons. Fifteen clinical isolates, 13 of them of known CAV serotype, were also studied with the same four endonucleases and the results were compared with the data obtained from the RFLP analysis of the reference strains. The experimental results showed that only two clinical samples of previously known identity had an identical restriction pattern with the respective prototype strains. The sequences of the amplicons of the clinical isolates had the greatest percentage of alignment with enterovirus strains of a different serotype, indicating variability in the 5′‐UTR and the inability to use the whole sequence of the amplicons for typing CAVs. The significance of the findings in relation to the possible usefulness of the RFLP‐based method is discussed. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 16:59–69, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Practitioner perfectionism: Relationship to ambiguity tolerance and work satisfaction
Authors: Wittenberg Kevin J. , Norcross John C.
Published: August 2002

Perfectionism among psychological practitioners is a common phenomenon, but a neglected topic in the research literature. This article presents data indicating that perfectionism is negatively related to both tolerance of ambiguity and satisfaction of conducting psychotherapy in a sample of 197 doctoral‐level, private‐practice psychologists. Results demonstrated that high, socially prescribed perfectionism and low tolerance of ambiguity are associated with reduced enjoyment of conducting psychotherapy. Several methods to self‐evaluate and moderate perfectionism in clinicians are offered. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Clin Psychol 57: 1543–1550, 2001.
Formation of cross‐cultural relationships of Taiwanese international students in the United States
Authors: Ying Yu‐Wen
Published: August 2002

The formation of cross‐cultural relationships has been shown to be an important predictor of international students' adjustment in the United States. However, few empirical studies have identified the factors that contribute to the formation of such relationships. This longitudinal study empirically examined social network composition of 155 Taiwanese graduate students at approximately 1 year (14 months) after they arrived in the United States, as predicted by prearrival, and 2 and 9 months postarrival data. A multidimensional model of social network composition, including personality, knowledge, attitude, skill, and environmental context, guided the study. Using a regression model, the probability of forming friendship with Americans at 14 months postarrival was positively associated with the following factors: their personality (i.e., extraversion), knowledge of the United States, attitude about forming friendship with Americans (positive association) and Taiwanese (negative association), their communication skills (facility understanding English), and their social environmental context (limited availability of Chinese students on their campus). Implications of the study findings are discussed. © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Sense of community in science fiction fandom, Part 1: Understanding sense of community in an international community of interest
Authors: Obst Patricia , Zinkiewicz Lucy , Smith Sandy G.
Published: August 2002

Within the discipline of community psychology, there is debate as to the dimensions underlying the construct of psychological sense of community (PSOC). One of the few theoretical discussions is that of McMillan and Chavis (1986), who hypothesized four dimensions: Belonging, Fulfillment of Needs, Influence, and Shared Connections. Discussion has also emerged in the literature regarding the role of identification within PSOC. It has been suggested that differences in PSOC may be understood in terms of the degree to which members identify with their community (Fisher & Sonn, 1999). However, few studies have explored the place of identification in PSOC. In addition, whereas PSOC has been applied to both communities of interest and geographic communities, little research has looked in depth at PSOC within communities of interest. The current study, therefore, explored PSOC in science fiction fandom, a community of interest with membership from all over the world, by means of a questionnaire distributed at an international science fiction convention (N= 359). In an endeavor to clarify the underlying dimensions of PSOC, we included several measures of PSOC and measures of identification with the community in the questionnaire. Results showed that science fiction fandom reported high levels of PSOC. Support emerged for four dimensions of PSOC and an additional fifth dimension, Conscious Identification. These results and their implications for PSOC research are discussed. © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Regulatory volume decrease (RVD) by isolated and in situ bovine articular chondrocytes
Authors: Bush Peter G. , Hall Andrew C.
Published: August 2002

Articular chondrocytes in vivo are exposed to a changing osmotic environment under both physiological (static load) and pathological (osteoarthritis) conditions. Such changes to matrix hydration could alter cell volume in situ and influence matrix metabolism. However the ability of chondrocytes to regulate their volume in the face of osmotic perturbations have not been studied in detail. We have investigated the regulatory volume decrease (RVD) capacity of bovine articular chondrocytes within, and isolated from the matrix, before and following acute hypotonic challenge. Cell volumes were determined by visualising fluorescently‐labelled chondrocytes using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) at 21°C. Chondrocytes in situ were grouped into superficial (SZ), mid (MZ), and deep zones (DZ). When exposed to 180mOsm or 250mOsm hypotonic challenge, cells in situ swelled rapidly (within ∼90 sec). Chondrocytes then exhibited rapid RVD (t1/2 ∼ 8 min), with cells from all zones returning to ∼3% of their initial volume after 20 min. There was no significant difference in the rates of RVD between chondrocytes in the three zones. Similarly, no difference in the rate of RVD was observed for an osmotic shock from 280 to 250 or 180mOsm. Chondrocytes isolated from the matrix into medium of 380mOsm and then exposed to 280mOsm showed an identical RVD response to that of in situ cells. The RVD response of in situ cells was inhibited by REV 5901. The results suggested that the signalling pathways involved in RVD remained intact after chondrocyte isolation from cartilage and thus it was likely that there was no role for cell‐matrix interactions in mediating RVD. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Cathodic decolourisation of textile waste water containing reactive dyes using a multi‐cathode electrolyser
Authors: Bechtold Thomas , Burtscher Eduard , Turcanu Aurora
Published: August 2002

The reductive decolourisation of textile dyestuffs containing an azo group was investigated by direct cathodic electron transfer CI Acid Red 27 and CI Acid Yellow 9 were used as model compounds for azo dyes. Reactive dyes, eg CI Reactive Red 4, CI Reactive Orange 4, and CI Reactive Black 5, which are in technical use for cellulose dyeing were investigated as representatives of practical importance. A basic characterisation of the reduction–decolourisation behaviour of the dyes was achieved by redox titration with Fe(II)–triethanolamine as reducing agent and parallel spectrophotometric observation of changes in the chromogenic system. From the redox titration experiments basic data describing the experimental conditions for successful cathodic electron transfer can be derived. The electrochemical dyestuff reduction experiments were performed in batch trials using a multi‐cathode electrolyser with high cathode area. According to the typical composition of such dyebaths 0.12 mol dm−3 NaOH was used as ground electrolyte. The absorbance of the investigated dyestuff solutions could be decreased to below 20% of the initial value. For a 50% decrease in absorbance, electrical energy of about 6 kWh m−3 is consumed. The process is of particular interest for the treatment of concentrated dyestuff solutions as they are used in continuous dyeing processes.

© 2001 Society of Chemical Industry
Effect of high shear stress on microbial viability
Authors: Lange Hélène , Taillandier Patricia , Riba Jean‐Pierre
Published: August 2002

Escherichia coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae suspensions were submitted to controlled shear stress. Above a threshold value shear stress induced a decrease in micro‐organism viability. The threshold of shear stress efficiency depended on the micro‐organisms, being between 1292 Pa and 2770 Pa for S cerevisiae, and about 1250 Pa for E coli. Above 1810 Pa, E coli cells were disrupted whereas the S cerevisiae cells remained intact. The higher the cellular concentration, the greater the rate of decrease in viability. Viability loss was influenced by the number of passages through the experimental shear stress device and by exposure time.

© 2001 Society of Chemical Industry
Characterization and modelling of denim‐processing wastewaters for activated sludge
Authors: Orhon Derin , Germirli Babuna Fatoş , Insel Güçlü
Published: August 2002

The study involved characterization of denim‐processing wastewaters, mainly to generate the necessary experimental data for the modelling and evaluation of the activated sludge process. The striking feature of the wastewater quality was the excessive suspended solids content requiring effective removal before biological treatment. COD fractionation was, however, typical for a textile effluent in general, with a biodegradable fraction of 90%, a readily biodegradable COD ratio of 20%, a predominantly soluble slowly biodegradable fraction of 55–60% and negligible particulate inert COD. Hydrolysis was identified as the significant step in the biodegradation kinetics with rate coefficients quite specific to plant operation. Evaluation of the hydrolysis kinetics showed that the magnitude of the slowly biodegradable COD could be reduced with a higher hydraulic detention time, effectively improving the quality of the soluble effluent.

© 2001 Society of Chemical Industry
Postextrasystolic potentiation of vessel compression in myocardial bridging: Detection by intravascular sonography
Authors: Eggebrecht Holger , von Birgelen Clemens , Ge Junbo , Baumgart Dietrich , Erbel Raimund
Published: August 2002

We present the case of 67‐year‐old man with exertional chest pain. Coronary angiography revealed myocardial bridging of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) with mild systolic vessel compression. An intracoronary Doppler sonographic examination of the LAD showed a fingertip‐shaped antegrade flow pattern with a steep acceleration of coronary flow velocity during early diastole, followed by a steep deceleration and then a plateau in the coronary flow velocity during mid and late diastole. An intravascular sonographic examination using a 30‐MHz transducer catheter showed eccentric vessel compression during systole and substantial augmentation of vessel compression after an incidental extrasystole. Both intracoronary Doppler sonography and intravascular sonography provided important information that helped us to identify myocardial bridging in this patient. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 30:312–316, 2002; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www. interscience.wiley.com). DOI: 10.1002/jcu.10067
Role of growth factors and their receptors in gastric ulcer healing
Authors: Milani Stefano , Calabrò Antonio
Published: August 2002

The repair of gastric ulcers requires the reconstitution of epithelial structures and the underlying connective tissue, including vessels and muscle layers. Several growth factors have been implicated in this process, since they are able to regulate important cell functions, such as cell proliferation, migration, differentiation, secretion, and degradation of extracellular matrix, all of which are essential during tissue healing. Epidermal growth factor (EGF), transforming growth factor‐α (TGF‐α), hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), and trefoil factors (TFFs) are mainly involved in the reconstitution of the epithelial structures. Plateled derived growth factor (PDGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and transforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β) play a major role in the reconstitution of connective tissue, including vessels and smooth muscle cells, and provide the extracellular matrix substrate for cell migration and differentiation. The expression of these growth factors and their receptors is increased during ulcer healing and, in some cases, intracellular signaling related to receptor binding and trasduction has been demonstrated. EGF, TGF‐α and TFFs are normaly present either in the gastric juice or in the mucosa, and may exert their effects immediately after damage, before newly synthesized EGF and TFFs are released from the ulcer margin. The inhibition of their effects by neutralizing antibodies may result in delayed ulcer healing, while the administration of recombinant or natural analogues may improve ulcer repair. In this review, we will summarize the basic molecular characteristics of some of these growth factors, and will discuss available evidence supporting their role in the ulcer repair process. Microsc. Res. Tech. 53:360–371, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Microglia in neurodegeneration: Molecular aspects
Authors: Gebicke‐Haerter Peter J.
Published: August 2002

Inflammatory events in the CNS are associated with injuries as well as with well‐known chronic degenerative diseases, such as Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson′s, or Alzheimer′s disease. Compared to inflammation in peripheral tissues, inflammation in brain appears to follow distinct pathways and time‐courses, which likely has to do with a relatively strong immunosuppression in that organ. For this reason, it is of great importance to get insights into the molecular mechanism governing immune reactions in brain tissue. This task is hard to achieve in vivo, but can be approached by studying the major cell type responsible for brain inflammation, the microglia, in culture. Since these cells are the only professional antigen‐presenting cells resident in brain parenchyma, molecular mechanisms of antigen presentation are being discussed first. After covering the expression and regulation of anti‐ and proinflammatory cytokines, induction and regulation of two key enzymes and their products—COX‐2 and iNOS—are summarized. Possibly, pivotal molecular targets for drug therapies of brain disorders will be discovered in intracellular signaling pathways leading to activation of transcription factors. Finally, the impact of growth factors, of neurotrophins in particular, is highlighted. It is concluded that the presently available data on the molecular level is far from being statisfying, but that only from better insights into molecular events will we obtain the information required for more specific therapies. Microsc. Res. Tech. 54:47–58, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Visceral regeneration in holothurians
Authors: García‐Arrarás José E. , Greenberg Michael J.
Published: August 2002

Holothurians, or sea cucumbers, exhibit two processes that have intrigued biologists for decades: autotomy and regeneration. Autotomy includes the loss of body parts by evisceration or fission, and regeneration is the extraordinary process by which the lost organs are replaced. In this article, we review the literature on evisceration, transection, and visceral regeneration in holothurians and compare these processes in different orders and lower taxa. Focusing mainly on the digestive tube, we analyze regeneration from a cellular perspective, considering especially the origin, migration, and proliferation of the cellular components of the regenerated organ. The data highlight the most interesting aspects of holothurian regeneration and indicate those critical problems requiring new information and new approaches. Microsc. Res. Tech. 55:438–451, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Pheromonal discriminations of sex, reproductive condition, and species by the lacertid lizard Podarcis hispanica
Authors: Cooper William E. , Pèrez‐Mellado Valentín
Published: August 2002

In some vertebrate taxa, pheromones provide important information about species, sex, reproductive condition, kinship, and even individual identity. Because they possess highly developed nasal chemosensory systems, lizards are capable of many chemical discriminations, but many aspects of their pheromonal communication remain poorly understood even in major families. We report that males of a lacertid lizard, Podarcis muralis, are capable of differential response to surface chemical cues from conspecific males and females, from gravid and nongravid females, and from conspecific females and females of the closely related sympatric congener, P. bocagei carbonelli. In 60 sec trials in which stimuli from the femoral, cloacal, lateral, and upper body surfaces were presented to males on cotton swabs, males tongue‐flicked at significantly higher rates to stimuli from conspecific females than males, from conspecific nongravid than gravid females, and from conspecific than heterospecific females. Responses to stimuli from conspecific males did not differ from those to distilled water. Together with previous findings that males can distinguish between chemical cues from familiar and unfamiliar males, these findings suggest that pheromones provide male P. hispanica important information regarding the presence of sexual rivals and the reproductive condition of potential mates without visually encountering other lizards. A growing body of literature indicates that lacertids are capable of sophisticated pheromonal discriminations that may play important roles in their social behavior. J. Exp. Zool. 292:523–527, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.