bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Inhibition of bacterial attachment by pulsed Nd:YAG laser irradiations: An in vitro study using marine biofilm‐forming bacterium Pseudoalteromonas carrageenovora
Authors: Nandakumar Kanavillil , Obika Hideki , Shinozaki Tatsuya , Ooie Toshihiko , Utsumi Akihiro , Yano Tetsuo
Published: October 2002

The effect of low mean power laser irradiations with short pulse duration from an Nd:YAG (neodymium‐doped yttrium aluminium garnet) laser on a marine biofilm‐forming bacterium, Pseudoalteromonas carrageenovora, was investigated in the laboratory. Laser‐irradiated bacteria were tested for their ability to attach on nontoxic titanium nitride (TiN) coupons with nonirradiated bacteria as the reference. Two durations of irradiation were tested, 10 and 15 min. Bacterial attachment was monitored after 20 min, 40 min, and 1 h of irradiation. The average laser fluence used for this study was 0.1 J/cm2. The area of attachment of the irradiated bacteria was significantly less than the reference for both durations of irradiation. The growth of irradiated bacteria showed a longer lag phase than the nonirradiated sample, mainly due to mortality in the former. The bacterial mortality observed was 23.4 ± 0.71 and 48.6 ± 6.5% for 10‐ and 15‐min irradiations, respectively. Thus, the results show that low‐power pulsed laser irradiations resulted in a significant bacterial mortality and a reduced bacterial attachment on nontoxic hard surfaces. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biotechnol Bioeng 80: 552–558, 2002.
A randomized trial of 5 vs. 6 French transradial percutaneous coronary interventions
Authors: Dahm Johannes B. , Vogelgesang Dirk , Hummel Astrid , Staudt Alexander , Völzke Henry , Felix Stephan B.
Published: October 2002

Transradial coronary interventions (TCI) are occasionally limited by radial spasms and postprocedural radial occlusions, which are related to the radial diameter and which possibly may be reduced by the use of smaller guiding catheter. However, 5 Fr, 0.058″ lumen diameter guiding catheter affords less strength, visibility, and backup. In a randomized study, we investigated procedural and clinical success and vascular access complications of 5 Fr in comparison to 6 Fr guiding catheter. One hundred seventy‐one patients with coronary lesions suitable for at least 5 Fr transradial approach (i.e., normal Allen test, only balloon angioplasty and stent) were randomly assigned for 5 or 6 Fr TCI. The primary combined endpoint was procedural and clinical success, and secondary endpoints were vascular access complications and the occurrence of postprocedural radial occlusions at 1‐month follow‐up. Procedural success was achieved in 95.4% of 5 Fr and 92.9% of 6 Fr patients. Selective cannulation of the coronary ostium failed in 1.1% of 5 Fr and 4.8% of 6 Fr patients (P = 0.08). Minor hematomas without need for surgical repair or blood transfusions occurred in 1.1% (5 Fr) and 4.8% (6 Fr; P = 0.07); 1.1% of 5 Fr and 5.9% of 6 Fr patients (P = 0.05) suffered loss of radial pulse due to radial occlusion. Selected noncomplex coronary lesions can successfully and safely be treated either with 5 or 6 Fr guiding catheters. A tendency of higher procedural success rates and lower vascular access complications was documented after 5 Fr in comparison to 6 Fr TCI. This was particularly the case among patients with small radial diameters. Cathet Cardiovasc Intervent 2002;57:172–176. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Use of Inoue balloon dilatation method for treatment of Cor triatriatum stenosis in a child
Authors: Huang Ta‐Cheng , Lee Cheng‐Liang , Lin Chu‐Chun , Tseng Chi‐Jen , Hsieh Kai‐Sheng
Published: October 2002

An 8‐year‐old girl was referred for evaluation of a heart murmur and progressive dyspnea with exertion. Transthoracic echocardiogram revealed Cor triatriatum with severe stenosis at its orifice. The resting transmembrane CW Doppler velocity was 2.3 m/sec. Cardiac catheterization and hemodynamic assessment were performed and demonstrated a marked increase in pulmonary capillary wedge and pulmonary artery pressures. The stenosis was successfully dilated with an Inoue balloon using a transseptal technique. This is the first description of dilation of a Cor triatriatum using the Inoue technique. Only one previous case report of balloon dilatation for Cor triatriatum sinister has appeared in the English literature using a different technique (double balloon method). Cathet Cardiovasc Intervent 2002;57:252–256. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Novel software architecture for rapid development of magnetic resonance applications
Authors: Debbins Josef , Gould Kristine , Halleppanavar Veena , Polzin Jason , Radick Mark , Sat Giora , Thomas Deepa , Trevino Scott , Haworth Robert
Published: October 2002

As the pace of clinical magnetic resonance (MR) procedures grows, the need for an MR scanner software platform on which developers can rapidly prototype, validate, and produce product applications becomes paramount. A software architecture has been developed for a commercial MR scanner that employs state of the art software technologies including Java, C++, DICOM, XML, and so forth. This system permits graphical (drag and drop) assembly of applications built on simple processing building blocks, including pulse sequences, a user interface, reconstruction and postprocessing, and database control. The application developer (researcher or commercial) can assemble these building blocks to create custom applications. The developer can also write source code directly to create new building blocks and add these to the collection of components, which can be distributed worldwide over the internet. The application software and its components are developed in Java, which assures platform portability across any host computer that supports a Java Virtual Machine. The downloaded executable portion of the application is executed in compiled C++ code, which assures mission‐critical real‐time execution during fast MR acquisition and data processing on dedicated embedded hardware that supports C or C++. This combination permits flexible and rapid MR application development across virtually any combination of computer configurations and operating systems, and yet it allows for very high performance execution on actual scanner hardware. Applications, including prescan, are inherently real‐time enabled and can be aggregated and customized to form “superapplications,” wherein one or more applications work with another to accomplish the clinical objective with a very high transition speed between applications. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Concepts in Magnetic Resonance (Magn Reson Engineering) 15: 216–237, 2002
Role of Rel/NF‐κB transcription factors in apoptosis of human hepatocellular carcinoma cells
Authors: Chiao Paul J. , Na Ren , Niu Jiangong , Sclabas Guido M. , Dong Qianggang , Curley Steven A.
Published: October 2002

BACKGROUND

Primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the 10 most common human carcinomas in the world. The mechanism by which HCC cells resist apoptosis induced by various treatment modalities is poorly understood.

METHODS

The authors sought to determine whether Rel/NF‐κB transcription factors play a key role in controlling apoptosis in human HCCcells. We assessed constitutive and inducible activation of NF‐κB in hepatitis B virus (HBV)‐positive (Hep3B) and in hepatitis virus‐negative (Chang, HepG2) HCC cells, as well as the role of known inhibitors of NF‐κB activity.

RESULTS

The current study data demonstrate that 1) RelA/NF‐κB activity is activated constitutively in Hep3B cells, as determined by electrophoretic mobility shift assays; 2) RelA/NF‐κB reporter gene activity is inhibited specifically by dominant‐negative mutants of IκBα, IKK1, IKK2, MEKK1, and MEKK3 and it is activated by overexpression of wild‐type MEKK3, suggesting that upstream kinase cascades induce phosphorylation of IκBα and activate RelA/NF‐κB in Hep3B cells; 3) overexpression of the HBV x gene fails to activate NF‐κB in HepG2 and Chang cell lines; 4) The NF‐κB–inducible gene, bcl‐xl, is overexpressed in Hep3B cells and is inhibited by the proteosome inhibitor PS341, which prevents IκBα degradation and RelA/NF‐κB activation; and 5) inhibition of constitutive RelA/NF‐κB activity by PS341 sensitizes Hep3B cells to doxorubicin‐induced apoptosis.

CONCLUSIONS

These results are consistent with the role of RelA/NF‐κB activity in the regulation of apoptosis through activation of its downstream target genes and suggest that signaling pathways that control RelA/NF‐κB activity may be important targets for novel therapeutic approaches in the treatment of human HCC. Cancer 2002;95:1696–705. © 2002 American Cancer Society.

DOI 10.1002/cncr.10829
Defining sexual outcomes after treatment for localized prostate carcinoma
Authors: Schover Leslie R. , Fouladi Rachel T. , Warneke Carla L. , Neese Leah , Klein Eric A. , Zippe Craig , Kupelian Patrick A.
Published: October 2002

BACKGROUND

The objective of this survey was to identify factors associated with good sexual outcomes in a large group of survivors of localized prostate carcinoma.

METHODS

A postal survey was sent to 2636 men in the Cleveland Clinic Foundation's Prostate Cancer Registry who either were treated with definitive radiotherapy or underwent prostatectomy for localized prostate carcinoma. The survey asked about demographic items, past and current sexual functioning, partner's sexual function and health, and a number of factors hypothesized to affect sexual satisfaction. Standardized questionnaires included the Sexual Self‐Schema Scale‐Male Version, the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF), urinary and bowel symptom scales from the Los Angeles Prostate Cancer Index, and the Short Form Health Survey (SF‐36).

RESULTS

The return rate was 49%, yielding a sample of 1236 men at an average of 4.3 years post‐treatment. Comparing responders with nonresponders suggested that the sample may have been somewhat biased toward men who were more interested in maintaining sexual function. At the time they were diagnosed with prostate carcinoma, 36% of men had erectile dysfunction (ED). Within the past 6 months, however, 85% of men reported having ED. Only 13% of men were having reliable, firm erections spontaneously, and another 8% of men were having erections with the aid of a medical treatment. Men were as distressed about loss of desire and trouble having satisfying orgasms as they were about ED. Of the 84% of men who reported having a current sexual partner, 66% indicated that she had a sexual problem. Younger age was associated strongly with better sexual outcome (global IIEF score). With demographic factors taken into account, better sexual outcome was related significantly to medical factors, including not having neoadjuvant or current antiandrogen therapy, undergoing bilateral nerve‐sparing prostatectomy or brachytherapy, and having better mental and physical health composite scores on the SF‐36. Sexual factors that were associated with a better outcome included having normal erections before treatment for prostate carcinoma, choosing a treatment based on the hope that it would preserve sexual function, having more sexual partners in the past year, and having a sexually functional partner.

CONCLUSIONS

The great majority of men who survive prostate carcinoma do not achieve a return to functional sexual activity in the years after treatment. The priorities a man places on sexuality and on having a sexually functional partner are important factors in sexual satisfaction at follow‐up, over and above the influence of age and medical factors. Cancer 2002;95:1773–85. © 2002 American Cancer Society.

DOI 10.1002/cncr.10848
Evidence of neoangiogenesis and an increase in the number of proliferating cells within the bronchial epithelium of smokers
Authors: Hiroshima Kenzo , Iyoda Akira , Shibuya Kiyoshi , Hoshino Hidehisa , Haga Yukiko , Toyozaki Tetsuya , Shiba Mitsutoshi , Baba Masayuki , Fujisawa Takehiko , Ohwada Hidemi
Published: October 2002

BACKGROUND

Normal bronchial epithelium gradually acquires cellular and genetic changes that result in the formation of invasive tumors. The objective of this study was to evaluate the degree of proliferative change and the amount of neovascularization in both normal and preneoplastic lesions in smokers who were at high risk for developing lung carcinoma.

METHODS

The authors studied bronchial biopsy specimens from 7 nonsmokers and 52 smokers. Immunohistochemical staining of the specimens with antibodies for the presence of p53 protein, Ki‐67 and CD34 antigens, and vascular endothelial growth factor was performed. The proliferation index (PI) was assessed by immunohistochemical staining for Ki‐67 antigen.

RESULTS

Overexpression of p53 protein was observed frequently in regions of squamous dysplasia and in squamous cell carcinoma tissue. The PI of normal epithelium from smokers was increased compared with nonsmokers, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The microvessel count (MC) in normal mucosa obtained from smokers was higher compared with the MC in normal mucosa obtained from nonsmokers (P < 0.05). A significant difference in MC also was observed between regions of squamous metaplasia or dysplasia with projections of capillary loops into the bronchial mucosa and similar lesions without capillary loops (P < 0.005); however, there was no difference in either the PI or the incidence of p53 overexpression between these groups.

CONCLUSIONS

These results show that smoking appears to induce both a proliferative response and neovascularization in bronchial mucosa. The projection of capillary loops into the bronchial mucosa also may be a result of neovascularization occurring within the lamina propria of the bronchial wall. Cancer 2002;95:1539–45. © 2002 American Cancer Society.

DOI 10.1002/cncr.10850
Barriers and facilitators to enrollment in cancer clinical trials
Authors: Grunfeld Eva , Zitzelsberger Louise , Coristine Marjorie , Aspelund Faye
Published: October 2002

BACKGROUND

The literature continues to report low rates of accrual to cancer clinical trials. Previous studies have examined principally physician‐related or patient‐related barriers. Clinical research associates (CRAs) have a unique perspective on enrollment that has been explored very little. This study sought the views of CRAs on barriers and facilitators to accrual.

METHODS

Focus groups were held at six of eight tertiary cancer centers in Ontario, Canada. Audiotapes of sessions were transcribed and subjected to content analysis by two of the authors. Emergent themes were identified. These themes are illustrated by representative quotes taken from the transcripts.

RESULTS

Factors that acted as barriers or facilitators were classified into physician‐related, patient‐related, or system‐related factors. CRAs identified physician attitudes regarding patient participation as the principal physician‐related barrier. Barriers, facilitators, and modifying factors that were related to patient involvement were discussed by CRAs. Patients seemed more knowledgeable about trials than in the past and were willing to participate. System factors were considered to have the greatest impact on the ability to accrue. CRAs identified increasing trial and pharmaceutical demands coupled with tight trial time lines. Time was seen as a diminishing resource. Greater demands not only affect specific clinical trial accrual but also affect general support for trials in the cancer center and hospital.

CONCLUSIONS

The impact of greater demands in a climate of decreasing health care resources is perceived by CRAs as having a negative affect on accrual. Consequently, the important process of translating potentially beneficial basic research findings into clinical practice is slowed. Cancer 2002;95:1577–83. © 2002 American Cancer Society.

DOI 10.1002/cncr.10862
Factors that influence the recruitment of patients to Phase III studies in oncology
Authors: Wright James R. , Crooks Dauna , Ellis Peter M. , Mings Deborah , Whelan Tim J.
Published: October 2002

BACKGROUND

The multiple determinants of a patient's decision to enter into a clinical trial have been explored largely from the perspectives of patients and their physicians. Little research has involved clinical research associates (CRAs) formally, despite their central role in the process of recruitment. The current study was initiated to explore the factors that influence the decision of patients with cancer regarding clinical trial entry, specifically from the perspective of the CRA.

METHODS

Two focus groups of CRAs from the Hamilton Regional Cancer Center were organized. A skilled facilitator guided both groups through exploratory and subsequent confirmatory phases of discussions, which were audiotaped for review and coding using a process of consensus employing intercoder triangulation.

RESULTS

The two groups identified a number of factors that they believed influenced the recruitment process. Numerous physician and patient factors were reaffirmed, such as the impression of the scientific merit of a study or the sense of personal benefit, respectively. More uniquely, CRAs identified information transfer within the informed consent process as a major aspect of their specialized role. It was believed that full disclosure of information, in terms of both the content and the techniques and styles of delivery, was an important predictor of recruitment success. The groups quickly reached consensus on which factors they believed were the most important overall with respect to influencing study recruitment.

CONCLUSIONS

CRAs appear to have a unique role in the process of recruiting patients to active clinical trials. They believe that they have an important influence on recruitment success. Further research to validate this impression is required, because, ultimately, a greater understanding of the relative roles of physician and patient factors and, potentially, CRA factors will be important in the development of ethical and supportive strategies to optimize the recruitment of patients with cancer into randomized clinical trials. Cancer 2002;95:1584–91. © 2002 American Cancer Society.

DOI 10.1002/cncr.10864
Estrogen receptor‐beta colocalizes extensively with parvalbumin‐labeled inhibitory neurons in the cortex, amygdala, basal forebrain, and hippocampal formation of intact and ovariectomized adult rats
Authors: Blurton‐Jones Mathew , Tuszynski Mark H.
Published: October 2002

Estrogen has been reported to regulate the activity of γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic interneurons within the hippocampus, basal forebrain, and hypothalamus of adult rodents. Although estrogen receptor‐alpha bearing GABAergic interneurons have been identified previously, the neurotransmitter phenotype of cells that express the more recently characterized estrogen receptor‐beta (ER‐β) has not been examined in vivo. We, therefore, have used fluorescent immunohistochemistry to further characterize the phenotype of ER‐β–bearing cells by double labeling for the GABAergic‐associated calcium‐binding protein, parvalbumin (PV). We find that a large proportion of ER‐β–immunoreactive cells within the cortex, amygdala, basal forebrain, and hippocampal formation of intact and ovariectomized (ovx) adult rats are PV‐immunoreactive. Within the infralimbic, agranular insular, primary motor, parietal association, perirhinal, and lateral entorhinal cortices, an average of 95.6% ± 0.8% (intact) and 94.5% ± 1.4% (ovx) of all ER‐β–immunoreactive cells coexpress parvalbumin, and this proportion is strikingly similar across these diverse cortical regions. ER‐β/PV double‐labeled cells represent 23.3% ± 1.6% (intact) and 25.8% ± 2.0% (ovx) of all PV‐labeled cells within these regions. ER‐β/PV double‐labeled cells are also observed within the lateral, accessory basal, and posterior cortical nuclei of the amygdala, and periamygdaloid cortex. Within the basal forebrain, 31.0% ± 3.1% (intact) and 26.0% ± 5.2 % (ovx) of ER‐β–immunoreactive cells coexpress PV. Almost all ER‐β–immunoreactive cells within the subiculum, a major output region of the hippocampal formation, double label for PV (intact = 97.2% ± 2.8%; ovx = 100% ± 0.0%). Thus, ER‐β exhibits extensive colocalization with a subclass of inhibitory neurons, suggesting a potential mechanism whereby estrogen can regulate neuronal excitability in diverse and broad brain regions by modulating inhibitory tone. J. Comp. Neurol. 452:276–287, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Drugmart: Heroin epidemics as complex adaptive systems
Authors: Agar Michael H. , Wilson Dwight
Published: October 2002

Illicit drug epidemics are infamous for their unexpected arrival and their speed of onset. Based on ethnographic work with youthful heroin experimenters in the Baltimore metropolitan area, an explanation was constructed based on circulating stories of drug reputation. An agent‐based model was built in SWARM to evaluate the explanation with good and bad stories about the drug passed among agents, which changed their initial attitudes. On repeated runs with different initial attitudes the model shows wide variation in outcomes and a dampening effect of increased social connections, contrary to epidemiologic expectations. The conclusion spells out implications for drug intervention and social research that relies on single case studies. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A novel apoptosis research method with imaging‐combined flow cytometer and HITC or IR‐125 staining
Authors: Wang Fu‐sheng , Kubota Fumio
Published: October 2002

The most commonly used methods for apoptotic research include terminal transferase‐mediated dUTP nick end‐labeling, annexin V testing of phosphatidylserine translocation from the inner leaflet to the outer plasma membrane by flow cytometry, DNA electrophoresis, and cell morphology. These methods provide apoptotic information from different aspects. To find a new way in apoptosis research and potential clinical application, we recently developed a novel method with an imaging‐combined flow cytometer (IFC) and an innovative cell staining process by using 2‐[7‐(1,3‐dihydro‐1,3,3‐trimethyl‐2H‐indol‐2‐ylidene)‐1,3,5‐heptatrienyl]‐1,3,3‐trimethyl‐3H‐indolium iodide (HITC) and 2‐[7‐[1,3‐dihydro‐1,1‐dimethyl‐3‐(4‐sulfobutyl)‐2H‐benz[e]indol‐2‐ylidene]‐1,3,5‐heptatrienyl]‐1,1‐dimethyl‐3‐(4‐sulfobutyl)‐1H‐benz[e]indolium hydroxide, inner salt, sodium salt (IR‐125). The IFC used in the research is a new generation of cytometry designed for simultaneous observations of cell populations and images. This is possible because the IFC is equipped with dual laser beams, one argon and one infrared. A promyelocytic leukemia cell line, HL‐60, was used in the research. The cells were stained with our newly developed HITC or IR‐125 staining method and a traditional nucleic acid dye, propidium iodide. The cells stained with HITC or IR‐125 appeared completely dark in the IFC image window before washing. Phosphate buffered saline wash did not change the cell appearance. A wash with 50% methanol caused the cells to have a clear cell image with bright nuclei on the IFC. To obtain apoptotic cells, we treated the HL‐60 cells with 0.15 μM of camptothecin (CAM), a topoisomerase I inhibitor and experimental apoptosis inducer, for 4 h. The control showed larger round cells with bright nuclei and one to three dark nucleoli. The CAM‐induced apoptotic cells were smaller, with fragmented and condensed nuclei on the IFC. These appearances were identical to the cell morphology of with light and electron microscopy. We used other methods including FACScan and DNA electrophoresis to confirm the apoptotic changes after CAM treatment and compared them with the IFC method. In addition, we found that the novel method with the IFC and HITC or IR‐125 staining can show not only cell apoptotic changes but also peripheral blood cell populations and images simultaneously. This study suggests many potential applications of the IFC and this novel staining method in other cellular biological researches and clinical assays. Cytometry (Clin. Cytometry) 50:267–274, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Probing the silica surfaces by red blood cells
Authors: Gerashchenko Bogdan I. , Gun'ko Vladimir M. , Gerashchenko Igor I. , Mironyuk Ivan F. , Leboda Roman , Hosoya Hiroshi
Published: October 2002

Background

The polymorphic forms of silica (silicon dioxide; SiO2) interact with the cell membranes of many mammalian cells, including red blood cells (RBCs), causing hemolysis. The electrostatic factor, which is believed to be a major contributor to the silica‐cell contact, might have potential interest for the study of cell surface properties. The surface properties of SiO2 particles are also of interest.

Methods

Washed human RBCs interacted with the particles of highly dispersed fumed silica (Aerosil A‐300) and silicas (nine samples) obtained from the initial A‐300 by its dehydroxylation at various thermal conditions. Their light scatter (forward and side light scatter) in 0.01% silica solution was measured uninterruptedly within the first 5 min of the reaction by flow cytometry (flow erythrogram). The hemolytic effect of SiO2 particles was evaluated by photometric measurement of hemoglobin in the supernatant 90 min after the reaction.

Results

Light scatter of affected RBCs and the degree of hemolysis revealed that the surface properties of SiO2 particles had various effects on the RBCs. After thermal reduction of the surface hydroxyl groups, the membranotoxic effect of silica increased and then decreased.

Conclusions

RBCs offer a convenient and informative model for examining the surface properties of silica. Cytometry 49:56–61, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Comparative analysis of comparative genomic hybridization microarray technologies: Report of a workshop sponsored by the Wellcome Trust
Authors: Carter N.P. , Fiegler H. , Piper J.
Published: October 2002

Background

Array‐comparative genomic hybridization (CGH), although providing much higher resolution compared with conventional CGH, has not yet become a widely applied method for the analysis of genomic gains and losses.

Methods

In January 2002, the Wellcome Trust sponsored a workshop where many of the laboratories developing this technology met to compare different methodologies for array‐CGH. Fourteen groups participated, comprising 11 from Europe and 3 from the United States. To facilitate objective analysis, each laboratory constructed arrays using the same anonymous clones and performed a series of test hybridizations using identical genomic DNAs.

Results

A figure of merit (FM) was developed to summarize entire collections of data from each laboratory in a single measurement. The FMs consistently showed that a few groups produced quantitative array hybridization data of high quality, whereas a majority achieved a lower standard.

Conclusions

The conclusions of the workshop were that polymerase chain reaction‐based methods for the amplification of large insert clones for arraying were effective for array‐CGH. It was also concluded that hybridizations performed under coverslips or in automated hybridization apparatus were less effective than hybridizations performed in simple wells with gentle rocking. A common experience by the participants was the batch‐to‐batch variability of commercial Cot1 preparations in their ability to suppress hybridization to repeat sequences. (Supplementary material for this article can be found in the online issue, which is available at http://www.interscience.wiley.com/jpages/0196‐4763/suppmat/49_2/v49.43.html or at http://www.sanger.ac.uk/HGP/Cytogenetics/Publications/Cytometry Sept 2002/Supplemental.pdf.) Cytometry 49:43–48, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Cost of screening for cancerous and precancerous lesions of the cervix
Authors: Méréa Estelle , Le Galès Catherine , Cochand‐Priollet Beatrix , Cartier Isabelle , de Crémoux Patricia , Vacher‐Lavenu Marie Cécile , Vielh Philippe , Coste Joël
Published: October 2002

This paper is part of the cost‐effectiveness study of cervical cancer screening conducted by the French Society of Clinical Cytology (SFCC). It describes the evaluation of costs of conventional smear tests, thin‐layer smear tests (ThinPrep 2000 system), and viral typing by the HCS® test.

For 100,000 examinations per year, the average cost of a conventional smear test is $11.53 in a private anatomo‐pathology clinic. The cost of the thin‐layer test for the same number of examinations and in the same type of clinic is $13.93. For 20,000 annual tests, the average cost of human papillomavirus (HPV) is $23.43 in the public sector and $23.48 in the private one.

The higher price of the thin‐layer method is only justifiable if this screening technique outperforms the conventional method. Furthermore, the high cost of the HPV test means that its integration into a population‐based screening program must be carefully defined. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2002;27:251–257. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Yawning and behavioral states in premature infants
Authors: Giganti Fiorenza , Hayes Marie J. , Akilesh Manjapra R. , Salzarulo Piero
Published: October 2002

Low risk, premature infants between 30 to 35 weeks post‐conceptual age (PCA) residing in an neonatal intensive care unit environment were observed in the home incubator for spontaneous yawning from 2400 to 0500 hr. Videorecordings were analyzed for the behavioral states of quiet sleep (QS), active sleep (AS), wake (W), and drowse (D) in 3‐min epochs as well as the contextual behaviors before and after yawn events using a 1‐min window. Yawning periods predicted higher levels of motoric activation than nonyawn periods. Sequence analysis of preceding and following states with or without yawns were examined for stability or change. All states with or without yawn events had state stability for the preceding and following epochs, with two exceptions: 1) D state with yawning was associated with state change in the preceding 3‐min epoch (most often W), and 2) D state without yawning was associated with state change in the following epoch (W or AS). Yawns were not present in QS. The results suggest that yawning is associated with increased behavioral arousal that is not state‐specific. However, yawning in D state predicts state transitions in the preceding, but not the following, epoch. It is proposed that D may be an unstable state that becomes more stable when yawning is present. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 41: 289–296, 2002. Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/dev.10047
Intertrial interval manipulations and passive avoidance retention in young Long‐Evans hooded rats
Authors: Hinderliter Charles F. , Riccio David C.
Published: October 2002

Results of several studies indicate that young rats generally require more training than do adults to reach comparable criterion levels of passive avoidance behavior. In addition, younger rats generally show poorer retention performance than adults. In the present study, preweanling and weanling Long‐Evans rats were given passive avoidance training at intertrial intervals (ITI) of 2 min, 1 hr, or 24 hr until a 600‐s criterion was obtained. A 2‐week retention test also was given to each subject. Results indicate that ITI had little effect on rate of acquisition or retention. Acquisition and retention performance did improve with age, as is typically reported with other strains of rats. The present results support previous acquisition and retention studies indicating that the ability to acquire and retain a passive avoidance task for weanling and preweanling rats increases with age. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 41: 197–204, 2002. Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/dev.10068
Distribution of laminin 5, integrin receptors, and branching morphogenesis during human fetal lung development
Authors: Coraux Christelle , Meneguzzi Guerrino , Rousselle Patricia , Puchelle Edith , Gaillard Dominique
Published: October 2002

The role of the epithelial adhesion ligand laminin 5 (LN5) in lung development has been poorly investigated. To determine its potential involvement in lung organogenesis, we used immunofluorescence microscopy to investigate the distribution of LN5 and its integrin (Int) receptors α2β1, α3β1, α6β1, and α6β4 during human fetal airway branching morphogenesis and respiratory epithelium differentiation. At the pseudoglandular and canalicular stages of airway development, LN5 and its constituent chains were localized in the basement membrane (BM) of the proximal respiratory tubules and in the cytoplasm of the epithelial cells forming the growing epithelial buds, which expressed Int α2β1, α3β1, and, transiently, α6β1. At the alveolar and adult stages, LN5 and its constituent chains were localized both in the BM of evolving and differentiated bronchioles and in the alveolar parenchyma. The bronchiolar epithelium markedly expressed Int α2β1 and α3β1, whereas the alveolar parenchyma strongly expressed Int α2β1, α3β1, and α6β1. Throughout fetal development and in the adult, LN5 and its constituent chains were detected both in the tracheal BM, regardless of the degree of epithelial differentiation, and in the cytoplasm of the cells at the invading front of the growing glandular ducts. Ultrastructural studies showed that nucleation of the hemidesmosomes (HDs) correlated with the differentiation of the tracheal epithelium. These results suggest that LN5 may play multiple roles during branching morphogenesis, by modulating proliferation and/or migration of the epithelial cells in the respiratory buds and by establishing branch points, through interaction initially with Int α6β1 and later with Int α2β1 and α3β1. We also propose that LN5 may regulate the differentiation of the tracheal epithelium by means of Int‐β4, which governs HD nucleation. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Precocious expression of cardiac troponin T in early chick embryos is independent of bone morphogenetic protein signaling
Authors: Antin Parker B. , Bates Mark A. , Zhang Wenjun , Garriock Robert J. , Yatskievych Tatiana A.
Published: October 2002

Cardiac troponin T (cTNT) is a component of the troponin complex, which confers calcium sensitivity to contraction in skeletal and cardiac muscle. Although it is thought that most components of the contractile myofibril are expressed exclusively in differentiated muscle cells, we observed that mRNAs coding for cTNT were detectable in explanted late gastrula mesoderm at least 12 hr before cardiac myocyte differentiation. We therefore conducted a detailed analysis of cTNT gene expression in the early chick embryo. Whole‐mount in situ hybridization studies showed that by Hamburger and Hamilton stage 5, cTNT mRNAs are detectable in lateral mesoderm and, by stage 6, are observed throughout the lateral embryonic and extraembryonic mesoderm in a distribution that is much broader than the recognized heart field. As myocardial cell differentiation commences, cTNT transcripts become progressively localized to the forming heart and, by stage 14, are completely restricted to heart muscle cells. Western blot analyses demonstrated that cTNT protein expression is under translational control, as cTNT protein is not detectable until stage 9, concomitant with myocardial cell differentiation. Removal of endoderm at stage 5 had no effect on cTNT mRNA levels, and the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) inhibitor noggin failed to block cTNT expression, even in the heart‐forming region and in cases where heart formation was inhibited. Implantation of noggin‐expressing CHO cells at the anterior midline of stage 7 embryos resulted in cardia bifida. These findings demonstrate the precocious, BMP‐independent expression of a gene coding for a myofibrillar protein and suggest that an additional regulatory pathway exists for activation of some cardiogenic genes. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Beam propagation method based on finite element scheme and its application to optical waveguide analysis
Authors: Koshiba Masanori
Published: October 2002

In regard to the beam propagation method (BPM), one of the indispensable analysis tools for the design of optical waveguide devices and optical circuits, this paper treats the FE‐BPM based on the finite element method, which allows an efficient analysis using adaptive meshes and provides basic concepts. The paper also refers to the time‐domain BPM, which can automatically take care of the reflected wave, and to the imaginary‐distance BPM, which can easily carry out eigenmode analysis including leaky modes. In addition to examples of generated adaptive meshes, analysis examples of photonic crystal circuits and three‐dimensional ARROW waveguides are presented so that the effectiveness and usefulness of the FE‐BPM are demonstrated. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn Pt 2, 85(10): 29–39, 2002; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ecjb.1112
Amplification of information signals in chaotic masking
Authors: Nagai Tachiki , Hamano Hidetomo , Yoshida Tomoki , Aida Noriyuki , Hatasawa Yasunari , Matsumoto Takashi
Published: October 2002

This paper considers chaotic masking and reports on the amplification of the information signal, which is observed in restoring the information signal, together with its mechanism. The systems considered in this paper are the R‐L‐Diode circuit, the Lorenz system, and the generalized Hopfield network. It is found that the result of restoration depends on the frequency of the information signal, and it is intended to account for the amplification phenomenon by examining the frequency characteristics of these systems. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn Pt 3, 86(1): 89–95, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ecjc.1134
Alterations of plasma antioxidants and mitochondrial DNA mutation in hair follicles of smokers
Authors: Liu Chin‐San , Chen Haw‐Wen , Lii Chong‐Kuei , Tsai Ching‐Shan , Kuo Chen‐Ling , Wei Yau‐Huei
Published: October 2002

The effects of long‐term smoking on mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) deletions in hair follicles were investigated in subjects with different antioxidant capacity. Twenty‐two male smokers with a smoking index of greater than 5 pack‐years and without any known systemic diseases were recruited for this study. Forty healthy nonsmoking males were included as controls. We found that the concentrations of ascorbate and α‐tocopherol and the activities of glutathione S‐transferase (GST) and glutathione peroxidase in blood plasma were significantly decreased in smokers. The levels of glutathione and protein thiols in whole blood and the incidence of a 4,977 bp deletion of mtDNA (dmtDNA) in hair follicles were significantly increased in smokers. A significantly higher incidence of the 4,977 bp dmtDNA was found in smokers with plasma GST activity less than 5.66 U/l (OR = 7.2, P = 0.020). Using multiple covariate ANOVA and logistic regression, we found that age and low plasma GST activity were the only two risk factors for the 4,977 bp dmtDNA. These results suggest that smoking depletes antioxidants and causes mtDNA deletions and that plasma GST may play an important role in the preservation of the mitochondrial genome in tissue cells of smokers. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 40:168–174, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Polymorphic metabolizing genes and susceptibility to atherosclerosis among cigarette smokers
Authors: Salama Salama A. , Au William W. , Hunter Glenn C. , Sheahan Richard G. , Badary Osama A. , Abdel‐Naim Ashraf B. , Hamada Farid M.A.
Published: October 2002

Atherosclerosis (AR) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the US and cigarette smoking is a major contributing factor to the disease. Like cigarette smoking in lung cancer, genetic susceptibility may be an important factor in determining who is more likely to develop AR. However, the current emphasis has been on susceptibility based on altered cardiovascular homeostasis. In this investigation, we studied 120 AR patients and 90 matched controls to elucidate the association between polymorphisms in some metabolizing genes (GSTM1, GSTT1, CYP2E1, mEH, PON1, and MPO) and susceptibility to AR. We found that the GSTT1 null allele and the fast allele of mEH* (exon 4) are associated with risk for AR. Furthermore, the combined genotypes GSTM1 null/ CYP2E1*5B, GSTM1 null/mEH YY, and GSTT1 null/mEH YY are significantly associated with susceptibility to AR (OR = 15.42, 95% CI = 1.33–77.93, P = 0.021; OR = 3.48, 95% CI = 1.63–8.04, P = 0.0008; OR = 3.4; 95% CI = 0.99–17.38, P = 0.05; respectively). We have also conducted cytogenetic analysis to elucidate if induction of chromosome aberrations (CAs) is a biomarker of AR susceptibility. We found that among cigarette smokers (AR patients and smoker controls), individuals having the GSTM1 null allele had a significantly higher frequency of CAs compared to those with the normal allele (P < 0.05). This association was not found among nonsmokers. In addition, individuals who had inherited the CYP2E1*5B allele exhibited a significantly higher CA frequency (8.0 ± 0.82) compared to those with the CYP2E1 wild‐type genotype (4.31 ± 0.35). Since the analysis of genetic susceptibility factors is still in its infancy, our study may stimulate additional investigations to understand the roles of genetic susceptibility and cigarette smoking in AR. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 40:153–160, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Heavy‐ion‐induced mutations in the gpt delta transgenic mouse: Comparison of mutation spectra induced by heavy‐ion, X‐ray, and γ‐ray radiation
Authors: Masumura Ken‐ichi , Kuniya Kensuke , Kurobe Toshihiro , Fukuoka Masamichi , Yatagai Fumio , Nohmi Takehiko
Published: October 2002

Heavy‐ion radiation accounts for the major component of absorbed cosmic radiation and is thus regarded as a significant risk during long‐term manned space missions. To evaluate the genetic damage induced by heavy particle radiation, gpt delta transgenic mice were exposed to carbon particle irradiation and the induced mutations were compared with those induced by reference radiations, i.e., X‐rays and γ‐rays. In the transgenic mouse model, deletions and point mutations were individually identified as Spi‐ and gpt mutations, respectively. Two days after 10 Gy of whole‐body irradiation, the mutant frequencies (MFs) of Spi‐ and gpt were determined. Carbon particle irradiation significantly increased Spi‐ MF in the liver, spleen, and kidney but not in the testis, suggesting an organ‐specific induction of mutations by heavy‐ion irradiation. In the liver, the potency of inducing Spi‐ mutation was highest for carbon particles (3.3‐fold increase) followed by X‐rays (2.1‐fold increase) and γ‐rays (1.3‐fold increase), while the potency of inducing gpt mutations was highest for γ‐rays (3.3‐fold increase) followed by X‐rays (2.1‐fold increase) and carbon particles (1.6‐fold increase). DNA sequence analysis revealed that carbon particles induced deletions that were mainly more than 1,000 base pairs in size, whereas γ‐rays induced deletions of less than 100 base pairs and base substitutions. X‐rays induced various‐sized deletions and base substitutions. These results suggest that heavy‐ion beam irradiation is effective at inducing deletions via DNA double‐strand breaks but less effective than X‐ray and γ‐ray irradiation at producing oxidative DNA damage by free radicals. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 40:207–215, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Development of quantitative tools for improved environmental decision‐making in arid environments
Authors: de Soyza Amrita G.
Published: October 2002

The tools available for rapid and accurate evaluations of the condition of ecosystems in arid environments have undergone major developments, much of this due to recent research in the southwestern U.S. Ecosystem health is now largely viewed as a function of the ability to retain soil and water resources; and indicators for monitoring have become increasingly quantitative and reflective of the ability to retain these resources. Quantitative data on rangeland health indicators have also been useful to identify state‐transition thresholds which are essential for effective ecosystem management. In more recent studies, we have been investigating the potential for using quantitative bioindicators of plant function to predict the potential long‐term effects of catastrophic stressors. The case‐study here is of coastal mangroves (Avicennia marina) smeared with oil from a marine oil‐spill. Early understanding of the potential long‐term effects should allow more informed decision‐making on how best to preserve or remediate affected systems. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Meshing noise effect in design of experiments using computer experiments
Authors: Caire J. P. , Chifflet H.
Published: October 2002

This work is intended to show the influence of grid length and meshing technique on the empirical modeling of current distribution in an industrial electroplating reactor. This study confirms the interest of usual DOEs for computer experiments. Any 2D mesh generator induced, in this sensitive case, a significant noise representing only less than 5 per cent of the response. The ‘experimental error’ obeys a normal distribution and the associated replicate SDs represents 20 per cent of the global residual standard deviation. The geometry seems also to influence the corresponding noise. If the current density uniformity could be considered as a severe test, it is obvious that the noise generated by meshing would be amplified for 3D grids that will be in common use in future years. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Monge–Kantorovitch mass transfer and its computational fluid mechanics formulation
Authors: Benamou J.‐D. , Brenier Y. , Guittet K.
Published: October 2002

This paper explains how computational fluid mechanics (CFM) concepts can be used to solve the Monge–Kantorovitch mass transfer type of problems (MKP). Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Augmented spaces, two‐level methods, and stabilizing subgrids
Authors: Brezzi F. , Marini L. D.
Published: October 2002

Starting from the already known relationship between stabilized methods, augmented spaces and residual‐free bubbles (RFB), the paper introduces a possible way of mimicking the effect of RFB just by constructing a suitable subgrid and then solving the standard Galerkin equations on the modified grid. Concentrating on the model problem of linear convection‐dominated equations, we give sufficient conditions on the subgrid that ensure stability, and error bounds of the same type of standard stabilizing procedures. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Material stretching in laminar mixing flows: extended mapping technique applied to the journal bearing flow
Authors: Anderson P. D. , Galaktionov O. S. , Peters G. W. M. , Meijer H. E. H. , Tucker C. L.
Published: October 2002

This paper deals with chaotic mixing in the journal bearing flow. A recently developed mapping technique is used to study the dynamics of this well‐known prototype mixing flow. Eigenvalues and eigenmodes of the resulting mapping matrix are used to reveal different zones of mixing. Moreover, an extension of the technique, adding an area tensor to described structure on cell level, is used to determine rate of interfacial area during mixing. The technique is shown to be consistent with the more consuming front tracking model. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.