bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Raman spectroscopy investigation of biological materials by use of etched and silver coated glass fiber tips
Authors: Gessner R. , Rösch P. , Kiefer W. , Popp J.
Published: August 2002

The results for surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) studies on biological samples are reported. Etched and silver coated glass fiber tips were used as a SERS substrate. This method enabled the recording of spectra of biological samples, such as plant tissue or microbiological cells, with a high spatial resolution. Because of the low laser power used with the fiber tips, it was even possible to investigate tissues that are very sensitive toward laser power as it is used in a common micro‐Raman setup. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers (Biospectroscopy) 67: 327–330, 2002
Femtosecond coherent Raman spectroscopy and its application to porphyrins
Authors: Schmitt M. , Heid M. , Schlücker S. , Kiefer W.
Published: August 2002

The results on femtosecond time‐resolved coherent anti‐Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) experiments for the analysis and control of ground state vibrational dynamics of porphyrin systems are briefly reviewed. By detecting the spectrum of the transient CARS signal, a detailed mapping of the dynamics initiated by the stimulated Raman pump process is achieved. The method yields the dephasing behavior and spectral information of the investigated system at the same time. The different contributions to the ground state vibrational dynamics are selected by changing the direction of the CARS signal analyzer in the polarization arrangement used. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers (Biospectroscopy) 67: 226–232, 2002
Laser scanning microscopy study on adsorption of biologically relevant proteins on implant materials
Authors: Schöller M. , Hauck A. , Thull R. , Steinmeyer R. , Hedrich R. , Schneider F. W. , Kiefer W. , Popp J.
Published: August 2002

The adsorption of proteins at implant surfaces plays a key role in osseointegration and is therefore of great importance in biomaterial science. Laser scanning microscopy (LSM) is described, a method that is used here for the first study of the adsorption of proteins on implant surfaces. These LSM measurements provide information on the surface morphology, and the spatial distribution of adsorbed proteins can be deduced. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers (Biospectroscopy) 67: 344–348, 2002
Vibrational circular dichroism spectroscopy study of paroxetine and femoxetine precursors
Authors: Urbanová Marie , Setnička Vladimír , Bouř Petr , Navrátilová Hana , Volka Karel
Published: August 2002

The solution structures of (3R,4S)‐ and (3S,4R)‐ 4‐(4‐fluorophenyl)‐3‐hydroxylmethyl‐ 1‐methylpiperidine, which are intermediates in the synthesis of the two pharmaceuticals paroxetine and femoxetine, were studied by vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) spectroscopy. In addition, six derivatives with different substituents attached to the C3 atom were prepared and their VCD and absorption spectra discussed with the aid of ab initio simulations. The VCD spectra were found to be sensitive to the geometry changes. In addition, a subtle variation caused by intermolecular aggregation was apparent in the spectra. The VCD technique can be applied for structural analysis of chiral pharmaceuticals in solutions. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers (Biospectroscopy) 67: 298–301, 2002
A microbial chip combined with scanning electrochemical microscopy
Authors: Kaya Takatoshi , Nishizawa Matsuhiko , Yasukawa Tomayuki , Nishiguchi Masashi , Onouchi Tooru , Matsue Tomokazu
Published: August 2002

A microbial chip for bioassay was fabricated and its performance was characterized by scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM). The microbial chip was prepared by spotting a suspension of Escherichia coli on a polystyrene substrate by using a glass capillary pen. The respiration activity of the E. coli spot was imaged with SECM by mapping the oxygen concentration around the spot. The SECM images of the microbial chips clearly showed spots with lower reduction currents, indicating that E. coli in the spots uptake oxygen by respiration. The bactericidal effects of antibiotics (streptomycin and ampicillin) were measured using the E. coli‐based microbial chip, and discussed in comparison with the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) determined by an agar plate dilution method. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Biotechnol Bioeng 76: 391–394, 2001.
Fluorescent proteins in animal cells for process development: Optimization of sodium butyrate treatment as an example
Authors: Hunt Lisa , Batard Pascal , Jordan Martin , Wurm Florian M.
Published: August 2002

Fluorescent proteins expressed in mammalian cells can be quantified quickly and noninvasively with a standard fluorescence plate reader. We have previously exploited this quality in cell growth assessment (Hunt et al., 1999b). In this work, different CHO cell lines constitutively expressing fluorescent proteins were evaluated as model systems for process development and optimization. Our results demonstrate that the fluorescence of these cell lines quickly reveals conditions that might improve the overall productivity.

Sodium butyrate, a well‐known yet unpredictable enhancer of production, was chosen for this study. Due to the competing effects of sodium butyrate (“butyrate”) on expression and cell number, the maximal overall productivity represents a compromise between enhancement of production and toxicity. Based on fluorescence only, it is possible to separate effects on cell number and specific production by combining microplate fluorescence measurements with data obtained by flow cytometry. This allows for rapid screening of different clones without counting cells or quantifying the recombinant protein, a highly attractive feature if the expression of green fluorescent protein (GFP) was correlated to that of a protein of interest.

For all clones tested, negative effects of butyrate on proliferation were similar, while net enhancement of expression was characteristic for each clone. Therefore, it is necessary to optimize treatment for each individual clone. This work demonstrates that, based on the fluorescence of GFP‐expresssing cell lines, it is possible to examine noninvasively three critical, generic parameters of butyrate treatment: butyrate concentration, exposure time, and culture phase at the time of addition. © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Biotechnol Bioeng 77: 528–537, 2002; DOI 10.1002/bit.10108
Stoichiometric model for evaluating the metabolic capabilities of the facultative methylotroph Methylobacterium extorquens AM1, with application to reconstruction of C3 and C4 metabolism
Authors: Van Dien Stephen J. , Lidstrom Mary E.
Published: August 2002

A stoichiometric model of central metabolism was developed based on new information regarding metabolism in this bacterium to evaluate the steady‐state growth capabilities of the serine cycle facultative methylotroph Methylobacterium extorquens AM1 during growth on methanol, succinate, and pyruvate. The model incorporates 20 reversible and 47 irreversible reactions, 65 intracellular metabolites, and experimentally‐determined biomass composition. The flux space for this underdetermined system of equations was defined by finding the elementary modes, and constraints based on experimental observations were applied to determine which of these elementary modes give a reasonable description of the flux distribution for each growth substrate. The predicted biomass yield, on a carbon atom basis, is 49.8%, which agrees well with the range of published experimental yield measurements (37–50%). The model predicts the cell to be limited by reduced pyridine nucleotide availability during methylotrophic growth, but energy‐limited when growing on multicarbon substrates. Mutation and phenotypic analysis was used to explore a previously unknown region of the metabolic map and to confirm the stoichiometry of the pathways in this region used in the metabolic model. Based on genome sequence data and simulation results, three enzymes involved in C3–C4 interconversion pathways were predicted to be mutually redundant: malic enzyme, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase, and phosphoenolpyruvate synthase. Insertion mutations in the genes predicted to encode these enzymes were made and these mutants were capable of growing on all substrates tested, confirming the redundancy of these pathways. Likewise, pathway analysis suggests that the TCA cycle enzymes citrate synthase and succinate dehydrogenase are essential for all growth substrates. In keeping with these predictions, null mutants could not be obtained in these genes. Finally, a similar model was developed for the ribulose monophosphate pathway obligate methylotroph Methylobacillus flagellatum KT to compare the efficiency of carbon utilization in the two types of methylotrophic carbon utilization pathways. The predicted yield for this organism on methanol is 65.9%. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biotechnol Bioeng 78: 296–312, 2002.
Relationship between cell proliferation, cell‐cycle phase, and retroviral vector production in FLYRD18 human packaging cells
Authors: McTaggart S. , Al‐Rubeai M.
Published: August 2002

The relatively low concentrations of retroviral vectors produced by most packaging cells requires the optimization and intensification of their production to make a commercially viable product for gene therapy. While a number of reports exist concerning target cell‐cycle effects on retroviral vector infection efficiency, no studies have been reported on the effects of packaging cell cycle on vector production. We have studied the effect of proliferation of the human packaging cell line, FLYRD18, on vector production. In addition, the titer levels of vector produced by cells in each phase of the cell cycle were compared. Numerous studies suggested progression of the cells through the cell cycle to be essential for vector production. However, vector release was found not to be predominant in any particular phase of the cell cycle. These findings indicate that packaging cell proliferation is important for optimal virus production and that arrest of the cells in any particular phase of the cell cycle affords no benefits in retroviral vector production. In contrast to previous reports (using other cell lines), we observed no temporary inhibition of cell cycle progression after detachment of cells from their substratum and that virus production occurred immediately after re‐plating of the cells. The findings in this report are important for determining the optimal culture conditions for vector production by packaging cells in vitro. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Biotechnol Bioeng 76: 52–60, 2001.
Investigation of cell exudates active in carbon tetrachloride and chloroform degradation
Authors: Koons Brad W. , Baeseman Jenny L. , Novak Paige J.
Published: August 2002

Contamination of groundwater by chlorinated solvents such as carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) and chloroform (CHCl3) is a widespread problem. The cell exudates from the methanogen Methanosarcina thermophila are active in the degradation of CCl4 and CHCl3. This research was performed to characterize these exudates. Examination of the influence of pH indicated that activity was greater under alkaline conditions. Rapid CCl4 degradation occurred from 35–65°C, with first‐order degradation rate coefficients increasing as temperature increased. It was found that proteins were not responsible for CCl4 degradation. The active agents in the cell exudates were <10 kDa in size, with degradation activity present in both 1–10 kDa and <1 kDa size ranges. Upon purification of the <10 kDa size range of the cell exudates on a C18 chromatography column, 17 fractions (out of 100) degraded >50% of the added CCl4 in 8 h. These 17 fractions were pooled into three samples based on their elution time from the C18 column. One of these pooled samples contained elevated levels of cobalt, zinc, and iron, at 2, 3, and 13 times the levels measured in similarly fractionated and pooled samples of medium, respectively. The UV‐visible spectrum of this pooled sample had an absorption maximum at 560–580 nm, which is similar to the absorption maxima of heme (approximately 550 and 575 nm). The two other pooled samples contained elevated levels of zinc at 11 and 22 times the concentration measured in similarly fractionated and pooled samples of medium, respectively, and also contained very low levels of nickel, cobalt, and iron. This research suggests that the cell exudates from M. thermophila contain porphorinogen‐type molecules capable of dechlorination, possibly excreted corrinoids, hemes, and zinc‐containing molecules. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Biotechnol Bioeng 74; 12–17, 2001.
Electrokinetic movement and biodegradation of 2,4‐dichlorophenoxyacetic acid in silt soil
Authors: Jackman Simon A. , Maini Giacomo , Sharman Ajay K. , Sunderland Garry , Knowles Christopher J.
Published: August 2002

The coupling of electrokinetic movement of an organic contaminant, 2,4‐dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4‐D), through soil and its biodegradation in situ has been demonstrated. In a first experiment, the direction and rate of movement of 2,4‐D were determined using homogeneously contaminated soil (864 mg 2,4‐D/kg dry weight soil) compacted into six individual compartments, 6 cm long, 3 cm wide, and 4 cm deep. Each compartment was bordered by a carbon felt anode and a stainless steel cathode. The application of a current density of 3.72 A/m2 led to migration of 2,4‐D towards the anode at a rate of approximately 4 cm/day. In a second experiment, electrokinetic movement and biodegradation were combined in situ. Sterilized silt soil contaminated with ring‐labeled 14C‐2,4‐D (811 mg 2,4‐D/kg dry weight soil) was compacted into a single soil compartment, 22 cm long, 7 cm wide, and 4 cm deep, in a 4.5 cm region adjacent to the cathode. The remainder of the compartment was filled with sterilized soil (to a total weight of 1,015 g). Burkholderia spp. RASC c2 (1.88 × 1011 cells), a tetracycline‐resistant bacterium with chromosomally encoded degradative genes for 2,4‐D, was inoculated into the soil at a position 14–16 cm from the cathode. The reactor was placed within a sealed perspex box, with a constant air flow connected to sodium hydroxide traps. Under an applied current density of 0.89 A/m2, the pollutant moved towards the bacteria. As it reached the inoculated region, its concentration decreased in the soil and 14CO2 was recovered in the traps. At the end of the experiment, 87.1% of radiolabel had been removed from the soil, 5.8% of which was recovered as 14CO2. A third, control, experiment showed a significant contrast in the absence of an electric current, where a slow rate of diffusion controlled the movement of both 2,4‐D and bacteria in the soil and biodegradation occurred at the interface between the diffusing fronts. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Biotechnol Bioeng 74: 40–48, 2001.
Optical method for the determination of the oxygen‐transfer capacity of small bioreactors based on sulfite oxidation
Authors: Hermann Robert , Walther Nico , Maier Ulrike , Büchs Jochen
Published: August 2002

The growth of microorganisms may be limited by operating conditions which provide an inadequate supply of oxygen. To determine the oxygen‐transfer capacities of small‐scale bioreactors such as shaking flasks, test tubes, and microtiter plates, a noninvasive easy‐to‐use optical method based on sulfite oxidation has been developed. The model system of sodium sulfite was first optimized in shaking‐flask experiments for this special application. The reaction conditions (pH, buffer, and catalyst concentration) were adjusted to obtain a constant oxygen transfer rate for the whole period of the sulfite oxidation reaction. The sharp decrease of the pH at the end of the oxidation, which is typical for this reaction, is visualized by adding a pH dye and used to measure the length of the reaction period. The oxygen‐transfer capacity can then be calculated by the oxygen consumed during the complete stoichiometric transformation of sodium sulfite and the visually determined reaction time. The suitability of this optical measuring method for the determination of oxygen‐transfer capacities in small‐scale bioreactors was confirmed with an independent physical method applying an oxygen electrode. The correlation factor for the maximum oxygen‐transfer capacity between the chemical model system and a culture of Pseudomonas putida CA‐3 was determined in shaking flasks. The newly developed optical measuring method was finally used for the determination of oxygen‐transfer capacities of different types of transparent small‐scale bioreactors. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Biotechnol Bioeng 74: 355–363, 2001.
Assessment of effects of experimental imprecision on optimized biochemical systems
Authors: Voit Eberhard O. , Del Signore Mario
Published: August 2002

Metabolic pathways may be optimized with S‐system models that prescribe profiles of control variables leading to optimal output while keeping metabolites and enzyme activities within predefined ranges. Monte Carlo simulations show how much the yield and the corresponding metabolite concentrations would be affected by inaccuracies in the experimental implementation of the prescribed profiles. For a recent model of citric acid production in Aspergillus niger, the yield is roughly normally distributed, whereas the distributions of metabolite concentrations differ greatly in shape and statistical characteristics. Even moderate inaccuracies may lead to constraint violations, which appear to be correlated with high logarithmic gains. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Biotechnol Bioeng 74: 443–448, 2001.
α‐Chymotrypsin catalysis in imidazolium‐based ionic liquids
Authors: Laszlo Joseph A. , Compton David L.
Published: August 2002

The transesterification reaction of N‐acetyl‐L‐phenylalanine ethyl ester with 1‐propanol catalyzed by α‐chymotrypsin was examined in the ionic liquids 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([bmim][PF6]) and 1‐octyl‐3‐methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([omim][PF6]), and in combination with supercritical carbon dioxide (SC‐CO2). The activity of α‐chymotrypsin was studied to determine whether trends in solvent polarity, water activity, and enzyme support properties, observed with this enzyme in conventional organic solvents, hold for the novel environment provided by ionic liquids. α‐Chymotrypsin freeze‐dried with K2HPO4, KCl, or poly(ethylene glycol) demonstrated no activity in [bmim][PF6] or [omim][PF6] at very low water concentrations, but moderate transesterification rates were observed with the ionic liquids containing 0.25% water (v/v) and higher. However, the physical complexation of the enzyme with poly(ethylene glycol) or KCl did not substantially stimulate activity in the ionic liquids, unlike that observed in hexane or isooctane. Activities were considerably higher in [omim][PF6] than [bmim][PF6]. Added water was not necessary for enzyme activity when ionic liquids were combined with SC‐CO2. These results indicate that [bmim][PF6] and [omim][PF6] provide a relatively polar environment, which can be modified with nonpolar SC‐CO2 to optimize enzyme activity. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Biotechnol Bioeng 75: 181–186, 2001.
Complete pterygoidectomy—A novel method for the topographical investigation of the deep masticator space and its contents
Authors: Aziz M. Ashraf , Cowie Robert J. , Skinner Cecile E. , Mosaddad Hossin
Published: August 2002

The complexity of the topographical anatomy of the infratemporal fossa (=masticator space) remains underappreciated because of limitations of the methods used to expose it; these methods are described and critiqued. The disposition of the lateral pterygoid (LPt) muscle in the masticator space obscures the anatomical relations of clinically significant neurovascular structures. Controversies regarding the nerve supply and actions of the two LPt heads are summarized. Since the LPt has been implicated in temporomandibular (joint) dysfunction (TMD), its precise relationships to the mandibular neurovascular structures is essential in understanding its role in TMD. We recently developed a method involving the en bloc removal of the LPt‐tensor veli palatini complex along with all vital neurovascular structures. Further investigations using our method—in conjunction with contemporary imaging techniques (CT, MRI)—should help describe the detailed topography of masticatory structures. This information should help in understanding, differential diagnosis, and treatment of TMD. Clin. Anat. 5:354–362, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
True aneurysm of the left ventricle: A case report and literature review
Authors: Flaherty Gerard T. , O'Neill Michael N. , Daly Kieran M. , Folan‐Curran Jean
Published: August 2002

Pathologic specimens acquired by anatomy departments may be of fundamental anatomical and clinical interest. In this report we describe a true aneurysm of the left ventricle and we review the relevant clinical records of the patient. A detailed review of the literature on ventricular aneurysms is presented with emphasis on particular aspects of cardiac anatomy. Clin. Anat. 5:363–368, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Qualitative systematic review: An example from primary prevention in adult mental health
Authors: Papworth Mark A. , Milne Derek L.
Published: August 2002

This paper describes a useful variant of the ‘systematic review’, a recent development in review ‘science’, using primary prevention in adult mental health as an illustration. Seventeen programme evaluations were identified as a result of rigorous search and inclusion criteria. The methodology of each study was then evaluated in terms of eight threats to validity, as outlined by Elliset al.(1996). Additionally, the merits of the programmes were evaluated according to the type of study and it's outcomes. Most projects reported significant findings (N = 13), but the sample included only seven randomized controlled trials. Whilst the research status of the field appears to have improved significantly over the last two decades, because of the methodological threats, the extent of any clear economic and clinical benefits resulting from the approach have yet to be established. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ethanol‐induced hepatotoxicity and protective effect of betaine
Authors: Kanbak Güngör , İnal Mine , Bayçu Cengiz
Published: August 2002

The protective effects of betaine in ethanol hepatotoxicity were investigated in 24 female wistar albino rats. Animals were divided into three groups: control, ethanol and ethanol + betaine group. Animals were fed liquid diets and consumed approximately 60 diet per day. Rats were fed ethanol 8 kg− 1 day− 1. The ethanol + betaine group were fed ethanol plus betaine (0.5% w/v). All animal were fed for 2 months . Reduced glutathione, malondialdehyde and vitamin A were determined in the liver tissue. Alanine aminotransferase activities were also measured on intracardiac blood samples. GSH levels in the ethanol group were significantly lower than these in the control group (p < 0.001). GSH was elevated in the betaine group as compared to the ethanol group (p < 0.001). MDA in the ethanol group was significantly higher than that in the control group (p < 0.05). MDA was decreased in the betaine group as compared to the ethanol group (p < 0.05). Vitamin A in the ethanol group was significantly lower than that in the control group (p < 0.01), but, in the ethanol + betaine group it was high compared with the ethanol group (p < 0.01). ALT in the ethanol group was higher than that in the control group (p < 0.05). Oxidative stress may play a major role in the ethanol‐mediated hepatotoxicity. Betaine may protect liver against injury and it may prevent vitamin A depletion. Therefore, it may be a useful nutritional agent in the prevention of clinical problems dependent on ethanol‐induced vitamin A depletion and peroxidative injury in liver. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The local politics and partnerships of successful welfare reform at Modesto Junior College
Authors: Fisher Pamila J.
Published: August 2002

In order for community colleges to fulfill their role in welfare reform, careful attention must be paid to internal and external constituencies. This chapter describes how Modesto Junior College built partnerships based on trust and mutual respect that led to success for welfare recipients.
The transition to work first in a Wisconsin technical college
Authors: Nitschke Dennis H.
Published: August 2002

This chapter focuses on the experiences and lessons learned from the effort by Wisconsin Moraine Park Technical College to develop a welfare‐to‐work program and emphasizes the importance of having a strong workforce‐readiness component in the training program.
Sources and information: The community college and welfare reform
Authors: Szelènyi Katalin
Published: August 2002

This chapter presents additional information on welfare to work at community colleges, including information on students, state and local initiatives, and national trends.
Polytetrafluoroethylene‐covered stent and coronary artery aneurysms
Authors: Briguori Carlo , Sarais Cristiano , Sivieri Ginevra , Takagi Takuro , Di Mario Carlo , Colombo Antonio
Published: August 2002

Angiographically detected coronary aneurysms (i.e., coronary segment greater then 1.5 times the normal artery) have an incidence of 0.3%–4.9% among patients undergoing coronary angiography and have been reported after an intervention procedure with a frequency of 2%–10%. The indication for treatment and the best modality still need to be defined. Some authors reported the successful treatment of coronary aneurysms with the polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)‐covered stent implantation, supporting the role of this strategy. In our institution, from September 1997 to December 1999 eight PTFE‐covered stents were implanted to treat seven coronary aneurysms in seven patients. All aneurysms were successfully treated by the PTFE‐covered stent. In one case, there was the necessity of an additional PTFE stent to cover the aneurysm completely. In no case did the loss of stent occur. No in‐hospital MACE occurred. At 35 ± 8 (21–44) months, six patients were symptom‐free. Angiographic follow‐up was performed in all patients at 10 ± 6 months. Restenosis occurred in one patient (14%) who had repeat percutaneous coronary interventions. This preliminary experience suggests that PTFE‐covered stent may be useful in the treatment of coronary artery aneurysms. Cathet Cardiovasc Intervent 2002;55:326–330. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Systolic compression of the left anterior descending coronary artery: A case series, review of the literature, and therapeutic options including stenting
Authors: Berry John F. , von Mering Greg O. , Schmalfuss Carsten , Hill James A. , Kerensky Richard A.
Published: August 2002

Six cases in our institution of various presentations of left anterior descending (LAD) myocardial bridging were found on coronary angiography. Generally a benign condition, this finding can result in ischemia or infarction as seen in some of our cases. We found one case in which the bridge resulted in an anterior myocardial infarction in an elderly patient, one case with fixed stenoses at the entry and exit point of the bridge causing ischemia, another with vasospasm within the bridged segment, one case in which the patient was referred for intervention of a fixed stenosis which after intracoronary nitroglycerin (NTG) was found to be an LAD bridge, another case in which the thallium myocardial perfusion scan revealed a reversible anterior defect, and finally one case with anginal chest pain despite a normal coronary flow reserve proximal and distal to the bridged segment. Our treatments varied from stenting in three patients to medical therapy in the remaining patients. We concluded that a thorough evaluation in this population should include functional testing for ischemia, intravascular ultrasound to assess wall thickness, and coronary flow reserve measurements in order to determine the significance of the these bridges. Stenting may have a role in select patients. However, additional studies are needed. Cathet Cardiovasc Intervent 2002;56:58–63. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Catheter‐based electromechanical mapping to assess regional myocardial function: A comparative analysis with transthoracic echocardiography
Authors: Kornowski Ran , Fuchs Shmuel , Shiran Avinoam , Summers Natama , Pietrusewicz Matthew , Ellahham Samer , Goldstein Steven A. , Leon Martin B.
Published: August 2002

Recent studies using a nonfluoroscopic three‐dimensional left ventricular mapping system showed considerable changes in voltage potentials and mechanical activity detected in ischemic and infracted myocardial regions with mechanical dysfunction. This study examined the electromechanical characteristics in relation to regional wall motion assessed by echocardiography in patients with coronary artery disease. A 12‐segment model of mapping (apical, mid, basal of septal, anterior, lateral, and inferior/posterior segments) was compared to echo wall motion score in 74 patients (836 segments). Unipolar voltage and local endocardial shortening signals were distinguished according to graded echo segmental rest scores (0 = normal, 1 = mild hypokinesis, 2 = moderate hypokinesis, 3 = severe hypokinesis, 4 = akinesis). Results show a significant difference in voltage potentials and shortening values in groups distinguished according to echocardiography motion score. The average voltage potentials and shortening values were highest in myocardial segments with normal or slightly reduced contractility and lowest in myocardial segments with moderate to severely impaired contractility scores (voltage: 12.3 ± 5.0, 12.1 ± 5.3, 10.7 ± 5.4, 8.7 ± 3.9, 7.1 ± 3.0 mV, P = 0.0001; local shortening: 9.7 ± 6.5, 8.4 ± 5.9, 8.0 ± 5.4, 5.6 ± 6.3, 5.1 ± 4.6%, P = 0.0001 in regions with segmental scores of 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 by echo, respectively). Using receiver‐operating curve calculations, the area under the curve was 0.72 ± 0.06 (voltage) and 0.67 ± 0.05 (local shortening) without a significant difference between the two curves. The 90% thresholds for defining preserved vs. impaired contractility were 12.8 and 5.6 mV for voltage and 12.6% and 1.6% for local shortening. We conclude that electromechanical mapping correlates with regional changes in wall motion scores assessed by echo, showing a gradual proportional decrease in measured voltage and shortening signals in segments with impaired function. Cathet Cardiovasc Intervent 2001;52:342–347. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Percutaneous treatment of symptomatic vertebral artery stenosis with coronary stents
Authors: Drescher Peter , Katzen Barry T.
Published: August 2002

Atherosclerotic disease of the vertebral artery can pose a significant clinical problem. The treatment of that disease is not uniformly accepted. We report two cases of patients with vertebral basilar insufficiency due to stenosis of the vertebral artery origins and contralateral occlusions that were treated percutaneously with coronary stent placement. Cathet Cardiovasc Intervent 2001;52:373–377. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Intravascular ultrasound findings in patients with abnormal coronary flow reserve after stenting
Authors: Muramatsu Toshiya , Tsukahara Reiko , Ho Mami , Ito Yoshiaki , Ishimori Hiroshi , Saiki Naozumi
Published: August 2002

A coronary flow reserve (CFR) of 2.0 has been advocated as the endpoint for coronary intervention therapy. Experience shows, however, that CFR does indeed exceed 2.0 in many cases poststenting, while remaining below 2.0 in others. In this study, we assessed the clinical characteristics and IVUS findings of patients whose CFR remained below 2.0 after stent implantation, specifically 16 patients with CFR below 2.0 (22 lesions, 64 ± 9 years, 4 female), and 102 patients with CFR above 2.0 (112 lesions, mean age 66 ± 11 years, 22 female). Patient population comprised patients selected for retrospective study, but participants were selected on the basis of matching patient and lesion characteristics. The IVUS findings showed that incidence of calcified lesions and post‐PTCA dissection of hard plaque were higher among patients with CFR < 2.0. Further, IVUS‐obtained vascular measurements showed post‐PTCA area stenosis to be 58.7 ± 15.2% in the CFR < 2.0 group, and 45.3 ± 12.5% among CFR ≥ 2.0 patients (P < 0.05). These findings indicate that patients with diffuse calcified lesions or high post‐PTCA % area stenosis, as determined by IVUS, are more likely to have lower CFR after stenting. Cathet Cardiovasc Intervent 2001;52:420–424. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Platypnea‐orthodeoxia: Management by transcatheter buttoned device implantation
Authors: Rao P. Syamasundar , Palacios Igor F. , Bach Richard G. , Bitar Saad R. , Sideris Eleftherios B.
Published: August 2002

Dyspnea and arterial desaturation on upright position in elderly subjects is described as platypnea‐orthodeoxia syndrome (POS) and in some patients it is due to right‐to‐left shunt across the atrial septal defect (ASD)/patent foramen ovale (PFO). Surgical closure of ASD/PFO has been the only available treatment option. Buttoned device has been used for occlusion of ostium secundum ASD, PFO associated with presumed paradoxical embolism and cerebrovascular accidents and ASD/PFO in association with other congenital heart defects causing right‐to‐left shunt. The objective of this article is to describe the use of buttoned device in effectively occluding ASD/PFO to relieve hypoxemia of POS. During a 4‐year period ending January 2000, 10 patients, ages 71 ± 9 (range 60–83) years with POS underwent buttoned device closure of their ASD/PFO. Echocardiographic and balloon‐stretched atrial defect sizes were 8 ± 3 mm and 12 ± 3 mm, respectively. The ASD/PFO were occluded with devices ranging in size from 25 to 40 mm delivered via 9 French, long, blue Cook sheaths; eight had an additional 25‐ or 35‐mm occluder placed on the right atrial side. The oxygen saturation increased (P < 0.001) from 76 ± 7% (range 69–86%) to 95 ± 2% (range 92–98%). No complications were encountered. Relief of symptoms was seen in all patients. Follow‐up of 1–36 months (median 12 months) revealed persistent improvement of symptoms. Buttoned device occlusion of ASD/PFO to relieve hypoxemia of POS is feasible, safe, and effective and is an excellent alternative to surgery. Cathet Cardiovasc Intervent 2001;54:77–82. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Intravascular ultrasound analysis of beta radiation therapy for diffuse in‐stent restenosis to inhibit intimal hyperplasia
Authors: Hong Myeong‐Ki , Park Seong‐Wook , Moon Dae‐Hyuk , Oh Seung‐Jun , Lee Cheol Whan , Rhee Kyoung‐Suk , Sun Fucheng , Song Jong‐Min , Kang Duk‐Hyun , Song Jae‐Kwan , Kim Jae‐Joong , Park Seung‐Jung
Published: August 2002

We evaluated the efficacy of β‐radiation therapy (188Re‐MAG3) to inhibit intimal hyperplasia (IH) in diffuse in‐stent restenosis by intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) analysis in 50 patients. Nine patients who did not agree with radiation therapy, and therefore underwent rotational atherectomy and balloon angioplasty for diffuse in‐stent restenosis in the same study period, were selected for control groups. Serial IVUS comparisons were available in 44 of 50 patients with radiation therapy and 7 of 9 control patients. At 6‐month follow‐up, there was less significant increase of IH area in patients with radiation therapy than in control patients (Δ IH area = 0.1 ± 0.8 mm2 vs. 2.6 ± 1.8 mm2, P > 0.001 in mean values, and 0.6 ± 1.4 mm2 vs. 2.9 ± 2.1 mm2, P = 0.026 in values of follow‐up lesion site, respectively). In conclusion, β‐radiation therapy might be an effective treatment modality to inhibit intimal hyperplasia in patients with diffuse in‐stent restenosis. Cathet Cardiovasc Intervent 2001;54:169–173. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Stent implantation for aortic coarctation complicating the Norwood operation in a 48‐day‐old baby
Authors: Tomita Hideshi , Kimura Kohji , Kurosaki Kenichi , Okada Yoko , Watanabe Ken , Yasuda Kenji , Hasegawa Satoshi , Hayashi George , Ono Yasuo , Yagihara Toshikatsu , Echigo Shigeyuki
Published: August 2002

A female infant developed severe aortic coarctation 42 days after a Norwood operation. Balloon dilatation was ineffective due to rapid recoil of the narrowing, but stent implantation completely abolished coarctation. Although the patient died because of low systemic output with high pulmonary flow 62 days after stent implantation, an autopsy showed that the implanted stent was widely patent without any restenosis. Transcatheter stent implantation should be considered for coarctation in selected situations even in early infancy. Cathet Cardiovasc Intervent 2001;54:239–241. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Endovascular stent implantation in a coronary artery to pulmonary artery fistula in a patient with pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect and severe cyanosis
Authors: Pettersen Michael D. , Ammash Naser M. , Hagler Donald J. , Rihal Charanjit S. , Cabalka Allison K.
Published: August 2002

A 31‐year‐old male with pulmonary atresia, ventricular septal defect presented with exercise intolerance and severe cyanosis. A restrictive coronary‐pulmonary artery fistula was identified as the main source of pulmonary blood flow. We report transcatheter stent implantation in the fistula to augment pulmonary flow as a palliative management option in the adult patient with complex congenital heart disease. Cathet Cardiovasc Intervent 2001;54:358–362. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Advanced mass spectrometric methods for the rapid and quantitative characterization of proteomes
Authors: Smith Richard D.
Published: August 2002

Progress is reviewed towards the development of a global strategy
that aims to extend the sensitivity, dynamic range, comprehensiveness and
throughput of proteomic measurements based upon the use of high performance
separations and mass spectrometry. The approach uses high accuracy mass measurements
from Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FTICR) to
validate peptide ‘accurate mass tags’ (AMTs) produced by global
protein enzymatic digestions for a specific organism, tissue or cell type
from ‘potential mass tags’ tentatively identified using conventional tandem
mass spectrometry (MS/MS). This provides the basis for subsequent measurements
without the need for MS/MS. High resolution capillary liquid chromatography
separations combined with high sensitivity, and high resolution accurate FTICR
measurements are shown to be capable of characterizing peptide mixtures of
more than 105 components. The strategy has been initially demonstrated using
the microorganisms Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Deinococcus radiodurans.
Advantages of the approach include the high confidence of protein identification,
its broad proteome coverage, high sensitivity, and the capability for stable‐isotope
labeling methods for precise relative protein abundance measurements.

Abbreviations: LC, liquid chromatography; FTICR, Fourier transform
ion cyclotron resonance; AMT, accurate mass tag; PMT, potential mass tag;
MMA, mass measurement accuracy; MS, mass spectrometry; MS/MS, tandem mass
spectrometry; ppm, parts per million. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley &
Sons, Ltd.
Whole genome analysis of a wine yeast strain
Authors: Hauser Nicole C. , Fellenberg Kurt , Gil Rosario , Bastuck Sonja , Hoheisel Jörg D. , Pérez‐Ortín José E.
Published: August 2002

Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains frequently exhibit rather specific phenotypic features needed for adaptation to a special environment. Wine yeast strains are able to ferment musts, for example, while other industrial or laboratory strains fail to do so. The genetic differences that characterize wine yeast strains are poorly understood, however. As a first search of genetic differences between wine and laboratory strains, we performed DNA‐array analyses on the typical wine yeast strain T73 and the standard laboratory background in S288c. Our analysis shows that even under normal conditions, logarithmic growth in YPD medium, the two strains have expression patterns that differ significantly in more than 40 genes. Subsequent studies indicated that these differences correlate with small changes in promoter regions or variations in gene copy number. Blotting copy numbers vs. transcript levels produced patterns, which were specific for the individual strains and could be used for a characterization of unknown samples. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Genetic steps to organ laterality in zebrafish
Authors: Chen Jau‐Nian , van Bebber Frauke , Goldstein Allan M. , Serluca Fabrizio C. , Jackson Donald , Childs Sarah , Serbedzija George , Warren Kerri S. , Mably John D. , Lindahl Per , Mayer Alan , Haffter Pascal , Fishman Mark C.
Published: August 2002

All internal organs are asymmetric along the left–right axis. Here we report a genetic screen to discover mutations which perturb organ laterality. Our particular focus is upon whether, and how, organs are linked to each other as they achieve their laterally asymmetric positions. We generated mutations by ENU mutagenesis and examined F3 progeny using a cocktail of probes that reveal early primordia of heart, gut, liver and pancreas. From the 750 genomes examined, we isolated seven recessive mutations which affect the earliest left–right positioning of one or all of the organs. None of these mutations caused discernable defects elsewhere in the embryo at the stages examined. This is in contrast to those mutations we reported previously (Chen et al., ) which, along with left–right abnormalities, cause marked perturbation in gastrulation, body form or midline structures. We find that the mutations can be classified on the basis of whether they perturb relationships among organ laterality. In Class 1 mutations, none of the organs manifest any left–right asymmetry. The heart does not jog to the left and normally left‐predominant BMP4 in the early heart tube remains symmetric. The gut tends to remain midline. There frequently is a remarkable bilateral duplication of liver and pancreas. Embryos with Class 2 mutations have organotypic asymmetry but, in any given embryo, organ positions can be normal, reversed or randomized. Class 3 reveals a hitherto unsuspected gene that selectively affects laterality of heart. We find that visceral organ positions are predicted by the direction of the preceding cardiac jog. We interpret this as suggesting that normally there is linkage between cardiac and visceral organ laterality. Class 1 mutations, we suggest, effectively remove the global laterality signals, with the consequence that organ positions are effectively symmetrical. Embryos with Class 2 mutations do manifest linkage among organs, but it may be reversed, suggesting that the global signals may be present but incorrectly orientated in some of the embryos. That laterality decisions of organs may be independently perturbed, as in the Class 3 mutation, indicates that there are distinctive pathways for reception and organotypic interpretation of the global signals. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Heterogeneous asymmetric reactions. Part 24. Heterogeneous catalytic enantioselective hydrogenation of the C=N group over cinchona alkaloid modified palladium catalyst
Authors: Szöllösi György , Kun István , Bartók Mihály
Published: August 2002

The enantioselective hydrogenation of C=N−C group containing compounds over modified metal catalysts is as yet an uninvestigated research area. This work contains results obtained on the hydrogenation of 1‐pyrroline‐2‐carboxylate esters and sodium salt over cinchona alkaloid‐modified alumina‐supported Pd catalyst. The effect of the reaction parameters and the structure of the alkaloid molecule on hydrogenation rate and enantioselectivity allowed us to assume that on the catalyst surface only a weak interaction exists between the modifier and the substrate, resulting in the low enantiomeric excesses (up to 20%) obtainable in these reactions. Chirality 13:619–624, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Generation of molecular chiral asymmetry through stirred crystallization
Authors: Durand Daniel J. , Kondepudi Dilip K. , Moreira Jr. Paulo F. , Quina Frank H.
Published: August 2002

In our earlier work we established that stirred crystallization of achiral compounds that crystallize in enantiomeric forms result in spontaneous chiral symmetry breaking. The asymmetry thus spontaneously generated is confined to the solid state. In this article, we present a case in which the crystal enantiomeric excess (CEE) can be converted to molecular enantiomeric excess (EE) through a solid state reaction which relates the enantiomeric form of the crystal to the enantiomeric form of the product. Such a process not only provides a means of detecting the CEE generated in stirred crystallization but it is also a means through which chiral asymmetry generated spontaneously is “propagated” to generate chiral compounds with enantiomeric excess. Chirality 14:284–287, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Column selection and method development for the determination of the enantiomeric purity of investigational non‐nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors
Authors: Aubry Anne‐Françoise , Sebastian Dolores S. , Williams Reed C. , Boucher Robert J.
Published: August 2002

DPC 961 and DPC 083 are investigational non‐nucleoside reversed transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTI) being evaluated for the treatment of HIV infections (Corbett et al., Antimicrob Agents Chemother 1999;43:2893–2897). Both compounds are chiral and are synthesized as single enantiomers by an asymmetric synthetic pathway (Magnus et al., Tetrahedron Lett 2000;41:3015–3019). A chiral method was developed to control the enantiomeric purity of the drug substance and to monitor for any chiral inversion in the drug substance and in the tablet formulation during stability studies. Three columns were evaluated: Chiralpak AD, Chirobiotic V, and Whelk‐O. All three columns have broad applicability and can resolve enantiomers of compounds of very diverse molecular structure and polarity. The three columns were evaluated with various mobile phase compositions for their ability to resolve the racemic mixtures of DPC 083, DPC 961, and their respective enantiomers and for their selectivity toward the synthetic impurities of the two drug substances. Nonaqueous mobile phases were selected because the two drugs are poorly water soluble. The separation between the unwanted enantiomer of DPC 083 and DPC 961, which is a major impurity of DPC 083, in particular, was closely monitored. The final method was fully validated and is used for the routine testing of the drug substance and tablets. Chirality 13:193–198, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Mechanism of localization of βII‐tubulin in the nuclei of cultured rat kidney mesangial cells
Authors: Walss‐Bass Consuelo , Kreisberg Jeffrey I. , Ludueña Richard F.
Published: August 2002

Tubulin is an αβ heterodimer. Both the α and β polypeptides exist as multiple isotypes. Although tubulin was generally thought to exist only in the cytoplasm, we have previously reported the presence of the βII isotype of tubulin in the nuclei of cultured rat kidney mesangial cells, smooth‐muscle‐like cells that reside in the glomerular mesangium; nuclear βII exists as an αβII dimer, capable of binding to colchicine, but in non‐microtubule form [Walss et al., 1999: Cell Motil. Cytoskeleton 42:274‐284]. We have now investigated the nature of the process by which αβII enters the nuclei of these cells. By micro‐injecting fluorescently labeled αβII into mesangial cells, we found that αβII was present in the nuclei of cells only if they were allowed to go through mitosis. In contrast, there were no circumstances in which microinjected fluorescently labeled aβII or αβIV dimers entered the nuclei. These findings, together with the absence of any nuclear localization signal in αβII, strongly favor the model that αβII, rather than being transported into the intact nucleus, co‐assembles with the nucleus at the end of mitosis. Our results also indicate that the nuclear localization mechanism is specific for αβII. This result raises the possibility that αβII may have a specific function that requires its presence in the nuclei of cultured rat kidney mesangial cells. Cell Motil. Cytoskeleton 49:208–217, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.