bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Application of solid‐phase extraction coupled to an NMR flow‐probe in the analysis of HPLC fractions
Authors: Nyberg Nils T. , Baumann Herbert , Kenne Lennart
Published: September 2002

The design and use of a system consisting of a disposable solid‐phase extraction cartridge coupled to an NMR flow‐probe (SPE–NMR) is demonstrated. Fractions obtained from high‐performance liquid chromatography of an extract of Habanero pepper (Capsicum chinense) were analysed. The fractions were loaded on SPE cartridges and the compounds were eluted with deuterated methanol directly into the NMR flow‐probe. Good‐quality NMR spectra were acquired and the structure of the compounds could be determined. The main advantages with SPE–NMR are the simple handling of small amounts of samples, the removal of polar additives and solvents from the preceding separation step allowing optimal conditions for both the chromatography and the NMR spectroscopy and the possibility of automating the procedure. Hence the method can facilitate the structural characterization of small amounts of natural products in complex mixtures. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Expression of genes involved in mammalian meiosis during the transition from egg to embryo
Authors: Hwang Sue‐Yun , Oh Bermseok , Knowles Barbara B. , Solter Davor , Lee Jin‐Sung
Published: September 2002

The ooplasm of higher eukaryotes provides substances necessary for completing the last stages of meiosis and initiating the first mitotic division. These processes are firmly attuned to other events in the egg and newly formed embryo, such as switching from the use of maternal transcripts to the onset of zygotic transcription. In mammals little is known about the molecular mechanisms guiding this transition, largely due to the lack of information about genes expressed in the egg and early embryos. Studies of yeast mitosis have contributed much of what is known about the vertebrate cell cycle, and recent reports indicate that homologs of yeast DNA repair genes also function during mammalian gametogenesis. To examine whether this conservation can be expanded to include genes operative in oocyte meiosis, we performed a computer‐based search for homologs of yeast genes that are induced during sporulation in C. elegans, Drosophila, and mammals. Results from this study suggest that yeast and higher eukaryotes share genes that coordinate the overall process of meiosis. However intriguing differences exist, reflecting the distinctive mechanisms governing the progression of meiosis in each organism. ESTs representing more than half of the mammalian homologs are present in mouse cDNA libraries that contains genes controlling the meiosis/mitosis transition. About 50% of these genes contain potential cis‐elements for cytoplasmic polyadenylation in their 3′‐UTR, suggesting the importance of controlled translation in the egg and zygote. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 59:144–158, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Is quantification of bolus tracking MRI reliable without deconvolution?
Authors: Perthen Joanna E. , Calamante Fernando , Gadian David G. , Connelly Alan
Published: September 2002

Bolus tracking data obtained with paramagnetic intravascular tracers are commonly analyzed and quantified by the direct measurement of properties of the tissue concentration‐time curve (e.g., time to peak (TTP)). The measurement of these “summary parameters” is used as an accessible alternative approach to the complex deconvolution procedure, and provides indirect measures of perfusion. However, summary parameters do not take into account differences in arterial input functions (AIFs) or residue functions (R(t)) between patients or studies. Simulations were performed to assess the variability of summary parameters over a realistic range of AIFs and for differing R(t), to establish whether they can be used as reliable measures of tissue perfusion status. Results showed that the value of each summary parameter investigated is highly dependent upon both the AIF and R(t). The referencing of summary parameters to their corresponding value in the AIF or in normal tissue is a method commonly used to normalize results, but this approach did not lead to any measures that were independent of both the AIF and R(t) in this study. The results presented here show that the use of summary parameters requires considerable caution, since tissue or patient types can easily be incorrectly classified due to the effect of variations in patient AIF and R(t). Magn Reson Med 47:61–67, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Automatic gradient preemphasis adjustment: A 15‐minute journey to improved diffusion‐weighted echo‐planar imaging
Authors: Schmithorst Vincent J. , Dardzinski Bernard J.
Published: September 2002

Image distortion caused by gradient eddy currents is a major problem in the use of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), as using the uncorrected images for calculation of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and diffusion anisotropy will result in areas of artificially increased anisotropy and ADC at the edge of the images, as well as decreased spatial resolution and accuracy in ADC computations overall. This distortion may be substantially reduced by careful adjustment of the gradient preemphasis unit. A completely automatic method of adjusting the preemphasis unit is proposed which finds the optimal settings for all three gradient directions in approximately 15 min by estimating the magnitudes of the eddy currents at various delay times after a test gradient. The pixel shifts in a 64 × 128 echo‐planar diffusion‐weighted image with a diffusion gradient strength of 30 mT/m were reduced to less than 0.2. Magn Reson Med 47:208–212, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
On the UNFOLD method
Authors: Tsao Jeffrey
Published: September 2002

A graphical formalism is presented, showing that “UNaliasing by Fourier‐encoding the Overlaps Using the temporaL Dimension” (UNFOLD) is equivalent to sampling k‐t‐space in a sheared grid pattern. Discrete regular sampling in k‐t‐space leads to periodic replication of the support region in x‐f‐space. Thus, the maximum acceleration achievable by UNFOLD is equivalent to the maximum packing of support regions in x‐f‐space. When the support region is separable along the x and f axes, the reconstruction can be performed separately for each k. UNFOLD can be combined with SiMultaneous Acquisition of Spatial Harmonics (SMASH) to further accelerate acquisition. However, a straightforward combination of the methods has been shown to result in a size restriction, which limits the portion of the field of view (FOV) with a larger temporal bandwidth to only a quarter of the FOV. Two solutions are presented to overcome this restriction. Magn Reson Med 47:202–207, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Reconstruction of carotid bifurcation hemodynamics and wall thickness using computational fluid dynamics and MRI
Authors: Steinman David A. , Thomas Jonathan B. , Ladak Hanif M. , Milner Jaques S. , Rutt Brian K. , Spence J. David
Published: September 2002

A thorough understanding of the relationship between local hemodynamics and plaque progression has been hindered by an inability to prospectively monitor these factors in vivo in humans. In this study a novel approach for noninvasively reconstructing artery wall thickness and local hemodynamics at the human carotid bifurcation is presented. Three‐dimensional (3D) models of the lumen and wall boundaries, from which wall thickness can be measured, were reconstructed from black‐blood magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Along with time‐varying inlet/outlet flow rates measured via phase contrast (PC) MRI, the lumen boundary was used as input for computational fluid dynamic (CFD) simulation of the subject‐specific flow patterns and wall shear stresses (WSSs). Results from a 59‐year‐old subject with early, asymptomatic carotid artery disease show good agreement between simulated and measured velocities, and demonstrate a correspondence between wall thickening and low and oscillating shear at the carotid bulb. High shear at the distal internal carotid artery (ICA) was also colocalized with higher WSS; however, a quantitative general relationship between WSS and wall thickness was not found. Similar results were obtained from a 23‐year‐old normal subject. These findings represent the first direct comparison of hemodynamic variables and wall thickness at the carotid bifurcation of human subjects. The noninvasive nature of this image‐based modeling approach makes it ideal for carrying out future prospective studies of hemodynamics and plaque development or progression in otherwise healthy subjects.
Separation and quantification of perfusion and BOLD effects by simultaneous acquisition of functional I0‐ and T‐parameter maps
Authors: Schulte A.‐C. , Speck O. , Oesterle C. , Hennig J.
Published: September 2002

The nature of the coupling between neuronal activity and the hemodynamic response is the subject of intensive research. As a means to simultaneously measure parametric changes of T, initial intensity (I0) and perfusion with high temporal resolution, a multi‐image EPI technique with slice‐selective inversion recovery (ssIR) for arterial spin labeling was developed and implemented. Comparative measurements with and without the preceding slice‐selective inversion pulse were performed. I0 and R changes induced by primary visual stimulation were separated. For ssIR‐multi‐image EPI the average change of I0 over all 12 subjects was 3.4%, corresponding to a perfusion change of 40 ml/min/100 g, whereas only minor I0 changes were observed without inversion. On average, the R of the activated pixels changed by –0.62 sec−1 without inversion, while a significantly reduced average R change of –0.46 sec−1 was calculated for ssIR‐multi‐image EPI due to a decreased BOLD effect contribution of the intravascular compartment. Magn Reson Med 45:811–816, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Assessment of experimental autoimmune neuritis in the rat by electrophysiology of the tail nerve
Authors: Kafri Michal , Drory Vivian E. , Wang Ningshan , Rabinowitz Ruth , Korczyn Amos D. , Chapman Joab
Published: September 2002

The assessment of experimental autoimmune neuritis (EAN) by electrophysiological studies of the sciatic innervation of the plantar muscle may be complicated by local inflammation. We therefore utilized the tail nerve–muscle system to monitor disease progression in 20 rats with EAN and 10 control rats. Early changes were detected in motor nerve conduction velocity (32.06 ± 1.85 m/s versus 43.57 ± 3.98 m/s in controls, P < 0.001) at 15 days postimmunization (DPI), and conduction block (70.6 ± 9.4% compared to 12.4 ± 3.4%, P < 0.001) at 22 DPI. No consistent conduction block (22.4 ± 10.4%) was found in the plantar muscle measurements. The tail nerve response of EAN rats demonstrated severe temporal dispersion at 43 DPI, which returned to normal at 135 DPI, although motor nerve conduction velocity values were still lower than in controls (24.4 ± 0.9 m/s, P < 0.001). The tail nerve may be a useful addition to electrophysiological studies in this model of the Guillain–Barré syndrome. © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Muscle Nerve 25: 51–57, 2002
Ventral polyradiculopathy with pediatric acute lymphocytic leukemia
Authors: Anderson Stephen C. , Baquis George D. , Jackson Anthony , Monteleone Philip , Kirkwood J. Robert
Published: September 2002

A 3‐year‐old girl with acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) in remission developed lower extremity paraparesis and areflexia 15 days after receiving intrathecal methotrexate, cytarabine, and hydrocortisone. Cerebrospinal fluid protein was 107 mg/dl. Compound muscle action potential amplitudes were reduced, F waves were absent, and sensory conduction studies were normal. Needle electromyography (EMG) revealed reduced motor unit potential recruitment. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed lumbosacral ventral root enhancement. She was treated with intravenous immunoglobulin and slowly recovered. Nerve conduction and EMG abnormalities correlated with MRI root enhancement, facilitated early diagnosis, and distinguished this from a myelopathy or distal polyneuropathy. These findings could represent selective ventral nerve root vulnerability to intrathecal chemotherapy. A selective autoimmune process cannot be excluded. © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Muscle Nerve 25: 106–110, 2002
Magnetization transfer in MRI: a review
Authors: Henkelman R. M. , Stanisz G. J. , Graham S. J.
Published: September 2002

This review describes magnetization transfer (MT) contrast in magnetic resonance imaging. A qualitative description of how MT works is provided along with experimental evidence that leads to a quantitative model for MT in tissues. The implementation of MT saturation in imaging sequences and the interpretation of the MT‐induced signal change in terms of exchange processes and direct effects are presented. Finally, highlights of clinical uses of MT are outlined and future directions for investigation proposed. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Abbreviations used:

Beff

effective magnetic field

CRMG

Carr–Purcell–Meiboom–Gill

CW

continuous wave

FAIR

flow sensitive alternating inversion recovery

Gd‐DTPA

gadolinium diethylenetriminepentaacetic acid

MRA

magnetic resonance angiography

MRI

magnetic resonance imaging

MS

multiple sclerosis

MT

magnetization transfer

MTR

magnetization transfer ratio

RF

radio frequency

SAR

specific absorption rate.
Studies of metabolic compartmentation and glucose transport using in vivo MRS
Authors: Rothman Douglas L.
Published: September 2002

Organs consist of several types of cells with specialized functions. This cellular localization of function is often referred to as compartmentation. Due to the intrinsic low sensitivity of MR methods it is generally not possible in vivo to obtain images or spectra of single cells. Instead the MRS signal is the sum of the signal from millions of cells and multiple cell types. A major challenge in using MRS to study biological processes such as metabolism and transport is to devise measurements that provide cell‐specific information from this mix. Fortunately nature has helped the MR scientist by in several cases nearly completely localizing metabolic pathways and their associated metabolites in specific cell types. The chemical specificity of MRS allows the concentrations and synthesis rates of these metabolites to be measured, providing information about the compartmentation of metabolism and function. In this review examples are presented from MRS studies of metabolic trafficking between neurons and astrocytes in the brain, brain glucose transport, and the role of muscle glucose transport in insulin resistance and diabetes. The concepts and approaches used in these studies are generally applicable for studying cellular metabolic compartmentation in a wide range of systems. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Abbreviations used:

FFA

free fatty acid

MM

Michaelis–Menton

NIDDM

noninsulin‐dependant diabetes mellitus

PAG

phosphate activated glutaminase.
MR spectroscopy quantitation: a review of frequency domain methods
Authors: Mierisová Šárka , Ala‐Korpela Mika
Published: September 2002

There has been a vast increase in applications of magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) in biomedical research during the last few years. This is not surprising since MRS provides both in vivo and in vitro a non‐invasive tool for various biochemical and biomedical studies. There are also expectations that clinical MRS will have an important role as a diagnostic tool. An essential prerequisite for the future success of MRS for applicability in biomedical sciences will be accurate and biochemically relevant data analysis (at as high a level of automation as possible). This review briefly describes principles of the methodology available for advanced quantitative data analysis in the frequency domain. Various biomedical applications are discussed in order to illustrate the practical aspects of the analyses and to show the applicability and power of biochemical prior knowledge‐based lineshape fitting analysis. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Abbreviations used:

Asp

aspartate

Cho

choline

Cr

creatine

EMCL

extra‐myocellular lipids

FID

free induction decay

FT

Fourier transform

GABA

γ‐aminobutyric acid

Glu

glutamate

Gln

glutamine

Glc

glucose

GPC

glycerophosphocholine

GPE

glycerophosphoethanolamine

HDL

high density lipoprotein

IDL

intermediate density lipoprotein

IMCL

intra‐myocellular lipids

LDL

low density lipoprotein

Pi

inorganic phosphate

myo‐Ins

myo‐inositol

NAA

N‐acetyl‐aspartate

NAAG

N‐acetylaspartylglutamate

NTP

nucleotide triphosphates

PC

phosphocholine

PCr

phosphocreatine

PDE

phosphodiesters

PE

phosphoethanolamine

PME

phosphomonoesters

scyllo‐Ins

scyllo‐inositol

SNR

signal‐to‐noise ratio

Tau

taurine

TDFD

frequency domain fitting using time domain models

TLS

total lineshape

TSP

sodium 3‐trimethylsilyl[2,2,3,3‐D4] propionate

VLDL

very low density lipoprotein.
NMR spectral quantitation by principal component analysis
Authors: Stoyanova R. , Brown T. R.
Published: September 2002

The use of principal component analysis (PCA) for simultaneous spectral quantitation of a single resonant peak across a series of spectra has gained popularity among the NMR community. The approach is fast, requires no assumptions regarding the peak lineshape and provides quantitation even for peaks with very low signal‐to‐noise ratio. PCA produces estimates of all peak parameters: area, frequency, phase and linewidth. If desired, these estimates can be used to correct the original data so that the peak in all spectra has the same lineshape. This ability makes PCA useful not only for direct peak quantitation, but also for processing spectral data prior to application of pattern recognition/classification techniques. This article briefly reviews the theoretical basis of PCA for spectral quantitation, addresses issues of data processing prior to PCA, describes suitable and unsuitable datasets for PCA applications and summarizes the developments and the limitations of the method. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Abbreviations used:

PCA

principal component analysis.
Expression and localization of agrin during sympathetic synapse formation in vitro
Authors: Gingras Jacinthe , Ferns Michael
Published: September 2002

Agrin is a motoneuron‐derived signaling factor that plays a key organizing role in the initial stages of neuromuscular synapse formation. Agrin is expressed in other regions of the developing central and peripheral nervous systems, however, raising the possibility that it also directs the formation of some interneuronal synapses. To address this question, we have examined the expression and localization of agrin during formation of cholinergic, interneuronal synapses in the sympathetic system. In the superior cervical ganglia (SCG) in vivo, we found that agrin is highly expressed, and that it is present at, but is not limited to, synapses. In SCG neuronal cultures that were treated with ciliary neurotrophic factor to induce a uniform cholinergic phenotype, we found that agrin immunostaining colocalized precisely with cholinergic terminals and aggregates of neuronal acetylcholine receptor on the neuronal cell bodies and dendrites. Moreover, we found that α‐dystroglycan, which is a potential receptor for agrin, is also concentrated at these cholinergic synaptic contacts. Finally, the SCG neurons expressed the C‐terminal isoform of agrin that is neural‐specific and highly active in synaptogenesis, and also the N‐terminal splice isoform that occurs as a type II transmembrane protein. These findings show that agrin is specifically localized at sympathetic synapses in vitro, and are consistent with it playing a role in interneuronal synapse formation. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Neurobiol 48: 228–242, 2001
Quality awards as a public sector benchmarking concept in OECD member countries: some guidelines for quality award organizers
Authors: Löffler Elke
Published: September 2002

In many OECD member countries, quality awards have become an important benchmarking instrument for public and especially private sector organizations. Quality awards pursue two main goals: one is to introduce elements of competition in areas of the public and the private sectors that lack of market competition; the other is to encourage organizational learning. The problem is that in a public sector context these aims seem to be mutually exclusive. The aim of the article is to show quality award organizers how to realize the full potential of quality awards by making the appropriate choices in the design of a public sector quality award. The conclusion is that the stage of public sector quality management and the degree of ‘publicness’ of the public sector in a given country will influence the competition‐inducing and learning effect of a national quality award in an adverse way. Nevertheless, the negative effects on one or the other element of quality awards can be counterbalanced by the appropriate choice of the scope of the quality award, the area to be evaluated, the evaluation criteria as well as the benchmarking concept. Last but not least, quality award organizers should keep in mind that quality awards are not a benchmarking instrument for all seasons. Copyright © John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Incentive Effects of Expanding Federal Mass Transit Formula Grants
Authors: Schmidt Stephen
Published: September 2002

Public subsidies to industries firms incentives to alter their behavior. When calculating the effects of such programs, previous assessments of transit subsidies have not included the effects of these incentives on the firms' output. This article reports the responses of mass transit firms to the federal transit subsidy program and changes the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA 21) made to that program, as predicted by a structural model of output choice. TEA 21 increases bus service in medium‐sized cities by 6‐8 percent, butincreases service in large cities by only 1‐2 percent. The formula's incentive tier is weak, and the size of the subsidy depends little on whether that output results in increased ridership. The formula could be redesigned to provide stronger incentives to lower cost and increase ridership, thus encouraging a more efficient response from transit firms. © 2001 by the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management.
Cases and Controversies: How Novitiates Are Trained to Be Masters of the Public Policy Universe
Authors: Chetkovich Carol , Kirp David L.
Published: September 2002

Public policy schools were established 30 years ago to provide analytic and management skills to aspiring policy professionals. A centerpiece of policy management training has been the action‐centered teaching case, modeled after the cases long used in business schools. Though other aspects of public management teaching and research have been vigorously debated, little attention has been paid to the content of teaching cases.Taking these texts as a central element in policy student socialization, the authors ask what implicit lessons they convey. A close reading of 10 best‐selling cases from the Kennedy School of Government finds the policy world to be the domain of high‐level, lone protagonists beset by hostile political forces; collaborative problem‐solving is rare, street‐level actors insignificant, and historical, social, and institutional contexts of minimal importance. The article discusses the implications of this construction and raises questions about its appropriateness for the training of future public servants. © 2001 by the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management.
Synthesis and characterization of new soluble polyamides derived from 2,6‐bis(4‐aminophenyl)‐3,5‐dimethyltetrahydro‐4H‐pyran‐4‐one
Authors: García José M. , García Félix , Sanz Roberto , de la Campa José G. , Lozano Angel E. , de Abajo Javier
Published: September 2002

A new oxypyrone diamine, 2,6‐bis(4‐aminophenyl)‐3,5‐dimethyltetrahydro‐4H‐pyran‐4‐one (DAPP), was prepared from 4‐nitrobenzaldehyde and 3‐oxa‐n‐pentane in a two‐step reaction with a high yield and a high purity. Aromatic polyamides were obtained from this novel condensation monomer and several diacid chlorides through the conventional low‐temperature solution method in N,N‐dimethylacetamide. Polycondensation results were consistent with a high reactivity for DAPP because high yields and high molecular weight polyamides were obtained with inherent viscosities up to 1.8 dL/g. The reactivity of DAPP was also estimated with theoretical calculations from computer programs for molecular simulation, with orbital and charge factors considered. The polymers showed improved solubility in organic solvents, relative to conventional wholly aromatic polyamides, and high glass‐transition temperatures (from differential scanning calorimetry) over 270 °C. However, the thermal resistance, as estimated by thermogravimetric analysis, was lower than that of conventional aromatic polyamides; nevertheless, decomposition temperatures well beyond 300 °C were observed in nitrogen and air. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 39: 1825–1832, 2001
Wave formation by heating in thin metal film on an elastomer
Authors: Kim Jinook , Lee Hong H.
Published: September 2002

Wave formation by heating rather than the usual cooling in a thin metal film on an elastomer is presented. A simple model is used to relate the wavelength of the waves thus formed to the heating temperature. An indirect method of estimating Young's modulus at elevated temperatures emerges from the analysis. The waves formed by heating can be made to appear or not to appear by the selection of the temperature to which the sample is heated. A relationship is given for the critical temperature that determines the appearance or nonappearance of the waves. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 39: 1122–1128, 2001
Dielectric relaxation spectroscopy and alignment behavior of a polymer‐dispersed liquid crystal and its component materials
Authors: Williams Graham , Shinton Sara E. , Anthony George , Aldridge
Published: September 2002

The dielectric properties of a polymer‐dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC), a liquid‐crystal (LC) mixture (BL036), and three polymer matrices of PN314 containing different amounts of BLO36 were determined over a range of frequencies and temperatures and, for the LC and PDLC, over a range of voltages leading to homeotropic alignment of the LC. The overall dielectric relaxation process was a weighted sum of contributions from (1) the primary (δ) process in the LC arising from the motions of the dipoles about the short molecular axis and (2) dipole motions in the polymer matrix. The dielectric spectra were determined as a function of frequency, temperature, and, when appropriate, applied voltage. An equivalent electrical circuit was used as a working model to describe the dielectric behavior of the PDLC in the absence and presence of applied voltages. Agreement between the dielectric data and this model was achieved if a portion of the LC phase at the interface was assumed to be immobile. The director order parameter for the LC component in the PDLC was determined from dielectric measurements as the material was aligned homeotropically in an applied electric field. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 39: 1173–1194, 2001
Water‐sorption kinetics in oil palm fibers
Authors: Sreekala M. S. , George Jayamol , Kumaran M. G. , Thomas Sabu
Published: September 2002

Oil palm fibers represent a very abundant and natural resource for raw materials that can be efficiently utilized as reinforcement in polymers. The sorption characteristics of two types of oil palm fibers—oil palm empty‐fruit‐bunch (OPEFB) fiber and oil palm mesocarp fiber‐in distilled water, mineral water, and water containing salt at four different temperatures were investigated. The uptake of water decreased with an increase in temperature. The OPEFB fiber showed higher sorption than the mesocarp fiber. This was due to the uptake associated with the capillary action in the OPEFB fiber. The thermodynamic parameters of the sorption process were calculated. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 39: 1215–1223, 2001
Empirically supported treatments: will this movement in the field of psychology impact the practice of psychosocial oncology?
Authors: Ellwood Ann‐Louise , Carlson Linda E. , Bultz Barry D.
Published: September 2002

This article discusses the likelihood of the empirically supported treatment (EST) movement impacting the practice of psychosocial oncology, with the goal of raising awareness of these issues and encouraging debate within the psychosocial oncology research and practice community. In 1993, the American Psychological Association struck a task force to develop criteria for empirically evaluating psychological interventions. The Clinical Psychology (Division 12) Task Force now evaluates psychological interventions and publishes an updated list of ESTs on a yearly basis. Concerns raised about the EST movement in psychology have included difficulties with the terminology and process of the Task Force, problems with the methodology used in psychotherapy research, and with the possible practical implications of the Task Force list of EST. A review of the literature suggests that psychosocial interventions in oncology are currently beginning to be evaluated by the EST criteria and that the reviewed interventions have yet to attain EST status. Following from this review, it is argued that researchers and practitioners in psychosocial oncology should become aware of the standards established by the Division 12 Task Force and that future psycho‐oncology intervention research may need to be designed to meet those standards. The discipline of psychosocial oncology is encouraged to consider the possible implications of accepting or not accepting the EST criteria. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Self‐efficacy for coping with cancer: revision of the Cancer Behavior Inventory (version 2.0)
Authors: Merluzzi Thomas V. , Nairn Raymond C. , Hegde Krupa , Martinez Sanchez Mary Ann , Dunn Lindsey
Published: September 2002

The Cancer Behavior Inventory (CBI), a measure of self‐efficacy for coping with cancer, was revised by adding a new stress management scale and reducing its length from 43 to 33 items. The 33‐item CBI was administered to 280 cancer patients. A principal factors analysis with varimax rotation yielded the hypothesized seven factors (αs in parentheses): (1) maintenance of activity and independence (α=0.86), (2) seeking and understanding medical information (α=0.88), (3) stress management (α=0.86), (4) coping with treatment‐related side‐effects (α=0.82), (5) accepting cancer/maintaining positive attitude (α=0.86), (6) affective regulation (α=0.81), and (7) seeking support (α=0.80). The α for the entire CBI was 0.94, the test‐retest (1 week) reliability coefficient was 0.74, and correlations with measures of quality of life and coping supported its validity. The CBI may be useful to researchers and clinicians and can be integrated into a self‐regulation model of coping. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Caspase 3 expression in benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostate carcinoma
Authors: O'Neill Amanda J. , Boran Sinead A. , O'Keane Conor , Coffey Ronan N.T. , Hegarty Nicholas J. , Hegarty Paul , Gaffney Eoin F. , Fitzpatrick John M. , Watson R. William G.
Published: September 2002

BACKGROUND

Apoptotic resistance to androgen ablation represents a significant problem in the treatment of prostate cancer. Over expression of antiapoptotic proteins such as Bcl‐2 and mutations in p53 contribute to this resistance. The caspase family of proteases are central executioners of the cell death pathway. They are expressed in normal prostate secretory epithelial cells. Altered expression may represent an additional component leading to cell resistance. The aim of this study was to determine by immunohistochemistry caspase 3 expression in benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostate cancers.

METHODS

Twenty‐two patients with histologically determined prostate cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) were investigated. All specimens were obtained from patients undergoing surgical resection of the prostate. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed on formalin fixed paraffin embedded sections to assess caspase 3 expression.

RESULTS

Caspase 3 was expressed in 18/22 (81.1%) samples, with high expression in BPH which demonstrated staining in both basal and secretory epithelial cells. Increasing grades of prostatic cancer showed a significant loss of expression in secretory epithelial layers and little staining in epithelial cells in high‐grade prostatic carcinoma.

CONCLUSIONS

Altered caspase 3 expression may represent an additional mechanism of apoptotic resistance to androgen ablation. Prostate 47:183–188, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Bone metastatic LNCaP‐derivative C4‐2B prostate cancer cell line mineralizes in vitro
Authors: Lin Din‐Lii , Tarnowski Catherine P. , Zhang Jian , Dai Jinlu , Rohn Emileigh , Patel Avni H. , Morris Michael D. , Keller Evan T.
Published: September 2002

BACKGROUND

Prostate cancer frequently metastasizes to bone. However, unlike many other tumors that produce osteolytic lesions, prostate cancer produces osteoblastic lesions through unknown mechanisms. In the current study, we explored the ability and mechanism of an osteotropic prostate cancer cell line (C4‐2B) to induce mineralization.

METHODS

C4‐2B cells were grown in promineralization media. Mineral deposition was characterized using von Kossa staining, calcium retention, alizarin red staining, Raman spectroscopy, and electron microscopy. Expression of osteoblast‐related proteins was determined by RT‐PCR. The nuclear level of the bone‐specific transcription factor Cbfa1 was determined using western analysis and the effect of inhibiting Cbfa1 function, using a “decoy” Cbfa1 response element oligo, on mineralization was determined.

RESULTS

The studies demonstrated that C4‐2B cells, but not its nonosteotropic parent cell line LNCaP, has an osteoblastlike phenotype including production of alkaline phosphatase, osteocalcin, osteonectin, bone sialoprotein, osteoprotegerin (OPG), and OPG ligand. Most importantly, the C4‐2B cells produced hydroxyapatite mineral in vitro. Furthermore, C4‐2B cells expressed high nuclear levels of the bone‐specific transcription factor Cbfa1, compared to LNCaP cells, which accounts for their ability to produce bone‐specific proteins. Inhibition of Cbfa1, using decoy DNA Cbfa1 response elements, abrogated the ability of C4‐2B to produce mineral. Finally, we determined that C4‐2B cells express bone morphogenic protein‐7, a known inducer of Cbfa1 expression.

CONCLUSIONS

These data demonstrate a novel mechanism through which prostate cancer cells may directly contribute to the osteoblastic component that characterize their skeletal metastatic lesions. Prostate 47:212–221, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Inhibition of lipid peroxidation and oxidative DNA damage byGanoderma lucidum
Authors: Lee Jong‐Min , Kwon Hoonjeong , Jeong Hoon , Lee June Woo , Lee Seung Yong , Baek Seong Jin , Surh Young‐Joon
Published: September 2002

Reactive oxygen species (ROS), such as superoxide anions and hydroxyl radicals, are associated with carcinogenesis and other pathophysiological conditions. Therefore, elimination or inactivation of ROS or inhibition of their excess generation may be beneficial in terms of reducing the risk for cancer and other diseases.Ganoderma lucidumhas been used in traditional oriental medicine and has potential antiinflammatory and antioxidant activities. In the present study, we tested the amino‐polysaccharide fraction (designated as ‘G009’) fromGanoderma lucidumfor the ability to protect against oxidative damage induced by ROS. G009 significantly inhibited iron‐induced lipid peroxidation in rat brain homogenates and showed a dose‐dependent inactivation of hydroxyl radicals and superoxide anions. It also reduced strand breakage in ϕX174 supercoiled DNA caused by UV‐induced photolysis of hydrogen peroxide and attenuated phorbol ester‐induced generation of superoxide anions in differentiated human promyelocytic leukaemia (HL‐60) cells. These findings suggest that G009 fromGanoderma lucidumpossesses chemopreventive potential. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The potential of alkaloids in drug discovery
Authors: Cordell Geoffrey A. , Quinn‐Beattie Mary Lou , Farnsworth Norman R.
Published: September 2002

Alkaloids are an important group of diversely distributed, chemically, biologically and commercially significant natural products. This article suggests why now, with the presently available technology, and the remaining biome available and reasonably accessible, is an opportune moment to consciously focus on the discovery of further alkaloids with pharmacophoric utility. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Migration of alkylbenzenes from packaging into food and Tenax®
Authors: Aurela B. , Ohra‐aho T. , Söderhjelm L.
Published: September 2002

Alkylbenzenes (alkyl chain C10–C13) are used as solvent components in certain offset printing inks. Alkylbenzenes were identified from 10 out of 15 samples of offset‐printed food packaging made of board. Printed hamburger collars intended for hamburger restaurants had exceptionally high contents of alkylbenzenes (70–500 mg/kg). Most of the collars had varnish on both the printed surface and the non‐printed food contact surface. Migration of alkylbenzenes from the hamburger collar into a roll was 2 mg/kg. In another test, in which Tenax® was used as simulant, the effect of a varnish layer on the food contact surface was studied. It was found that the varnish layer reduced migration by about 70%. Tests with Tenax® as a food simulant resulted in higher migration than in tests with rolls. The European Commission has published a risk assessment report on alkylbenzenes. The report concludes that there is no need for further testing or for risk reduction measures beyond those which are currently applied. However, consumer exposure was calculated without taking into account the possibility of oral exposure to alkylbenzenes migrating from food packagings. The migration of alkylbenzenes thus merits further study. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
High‐throughput analysis in drug discovery: application of liquid chromatography/ion‐trap mass spectrometry for simultaneous cassette analysis of α‐1a antagonists and their metabolites in mouse plasma
Authors: Cai Zongwei , Han Chao , Harrelson Stephanie , Fung Eliza , Sinhababu Achintya K.
Published: September 2002

The application of liquid chromatography/ion‐trap mass spectrometry for simultaneous quantification of multiple drugs and detection of their metabolites for in vitro experiments was reported recently. In the current study, the use of these techniques was extended to in vivo pharmacokinetic (PK) studies of α‐1a antagonists. In combination with limited time‐point PK, greatly increased throughput was demonstrated for the in vivo screening and investigation of in vivo–in vitro correlation. In addition to quantitative analyses, the technique allowed simultaneous detection of major in vivo metabolites without having to reanalyze the plasma samples. The drugs were individually dosed in mice intravenously via tail vein injection and the blood samples were collected 5 min and 2 h after dosing. After the plasma samples for the different drugs had been prepared separately, they were pooled for cassette analysis. The concentrations of five test compounds in the plasma samples at 2 h ranged from 36–1062 ng/mL, whereas their 5‐min plasma levels were similar. From the same cassette analysis, major metabolites in the samples were also detected simultaneously through the interpretation of full‐scan mass spectra. The metabolite identification confirmed the results from a previous report that the major sites of metabolism are hydroxylation of the phenyl ring not bearing the alkylsulfonamide substitutent, piperidine N‐dealkylation, and N‐demethylation of the alkylsulfonamide group. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Theoretical study of the main fragmentation pathways for protonated glycylglycine
Authors: Paizs Béla , Suhai Sándor
Published: September 2002

Quantum chemical and RRKM calculations were carried out on protonated glycylglycine in order to determine the atomic details of the main fragmentation pathways leading to formation of a1 and y1 ions. Two possible mechanisms were considered. The first path results in elimination of aziridinone as a neutral counterpart of the y1 ion formed. Our calculations show that this pathway has a relatively high threshold energy (48.6 kcal/mol) and the corresponding unimolecular rate constants are quite small even at large internal energy. An alternative pathway (a1‐y1) proposed in the present paper seems, however, to be favored against the above ‘aziridinone’ one from the points of view of both energetics and kinetics. The ‘a1‐y1’ pathway leads to simultaneous formation of a1 and y1 ions, the ratio of which depends on the energy distribution of the fragmenting species for a particular dipeptide. However, even if y1 ions are formed via the ‘a1‐y1’ pathway, the corresponding neutrals eliminated do not have a strained cyclic aziridinone structure. Instead, in a two‐step process, CO and NHCH2 are formed leading to neutral products energetically more favored than aziridinone. The available experimental data reevaluated in the present paper lend support to the ‘a1‐y1’ pathway. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Characterization of inorganic coordination complexes by matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry
Authors: Hunsucker Steve W. , Watson R. Craig , Tissue Brian M.
Published: September 2002

We report the direct laser desorption/ionization (LDI) and matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometric (MALDI‐TOFMS) analysis of four inorganic coordination complexes: monometallic [Ir(dpp)2Cl2](PF6), homonuclear trimetallic {[(bpy)2Ru(dpp)]2RuCl2}‐ (PF6)4, and heteronuclear [(tpy)Ru(tpp)Ru(tpp)RhCl3](PF6)4 and {[(bpy)2Ru(dpp)]2IrCl2}(PF6)5 (dpp = 2,3‐bis‐(2′‐pyridyl)pyrazine, bpy = 2,2′‐bipyridine, tpy = 2,2′,6′,2″‐terpyradine, tpp = 2,3,5,6,‐tetrakis‐(2′‐pyridyl)pyrazine). Spectral intensities and fragmentation patterns are compared and evaluated for instrument parameters, matrix selection, and matrix‐to‐analyte ratio. Direct LDI and MALDI mass spectra of the monometallic complex showed the same ion peaks and differed only in the relative peak intensities. Direct LDI of the trimetallic complexes produced only low‐mass fragments containing one metal at most. MALDI spectra of the trimetallic complexes exhibited little fragmentation in the high‐mass region (>1500 Da) and less fragmentation in the low‐mass region compared to direct LDI. Significant fragments of the molecules were detected and identified, including ligand fragments, intermediate‐mass fragments such as [Ru(tpy)]+, and molecular ions with varying degrees of PF6− loss ([M − n(PF6)]+, where n = 1–3). A correlation exists between the solution‐phase electrochemistry and the observed [M − n(PF6)]+ series of peaks for the trimetallic complexes. Proper matrix selection for MALDI analysis was vital, as was an appropriate matrix‐to‐analyte ratio. The results demonstrate the applicability of MALDI‐TOFMS for the structural characterization of labile inorganic coordination complexes. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Combining PSA fading estimation techniques for TCM and diversity reception in Rician fading channels
Authors: Ng M. H. , Cheung S. W.
Published: September 2002

In this paper, a novel pilot‐symbol‐aided (PSA) technique is proposed for fading estimation in the land mobile satellite fading channels. The proposed technique combines the fading estimates obtained from a bandwidth‐efficient technique and a conventional technique according to the signal‐to‐noise ratios (SNRs) of the fading estimates. To enhance the transmission quality, trellis‐coded modulation (TCM) and diversity reception are employed in the system, and the combined estimates are subsequently used to correct the channel fading effects, to weight the signals from different diversity branches, and to provide channel state information to the Viterbi decoder. Monte Carlo computer simulation has been used to study the bit‐error‐rate (BER) performance of the proposed technique on trellis‐coded 16‐ary quadrature amplitude modulation in the frequency non‐selective Rician fading channels. Results have shown that the proposed PSA technique requires a very low bandwidth redundancy to provide satisfactory BER performance at low SNRs, and thus is suitable for use with TCM and diversity reception to achieve both bandwidth and power‐efficient transmission. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Renewable energy technologies for fuelwood conservation in the Indian Himalayan region
Authors: Prasad Rakesh , Maithel Sameer , Mirza Asim
Published: September 2002

Biomass, particularly fuelwood, is the main source of energy for cooking, water heating and space heating in rural households. On account of the exponential rise in human and livestock population, there is a tremendous pressure on forest lands, resulting in their degradation and heavy depletion of the resource. The situation is particularly serious in the fragile Himalayan ecosystem, which is facing large‐scale deforestation and soil erosion. This paper presents the current energy utilization status and the factors that influence it in rural households in villages located in central Himalayas zone in Himachal Pradesh. The paper identifies energy conservation measures and renewable energy technologies, which can be used in this area for conserving fuelwood. Results of field testing of some of these devices in the study area are also presented. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment
Process supervision in Davanloo's intensive short‐term dynamic psychotherapy: Part II
Authors: Said Tewfik
Published: September 2002

In the second part of this two‐part article, the author continues to present on some aspects of process supervision in the course of therapy of one patient. Vignettes from the rest of the interview presented in Part∼I, as well as from another psychotherapy session with the same patient, will be analysed to further highlight some of the technical and metapsychological knowledge required to properly conduct therapy using Dr. Davanloo's technique of Intensive Short‐Term Dynamic Psychotherapy. The set of technical interventions and metapsychological knowledge required to correct some of the therapist's problems, as outlined in the supervisory process, will be highlighted. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Davanloo's technique of mobilization of the unconscious
Authors: Augsburger Therese
Published: September 2002

This article focuses on the application of Davanloo's Central Dynamic Sequence in order to mobilize the unconscious of a patient, where initially no traces whatsoever of unconscious activation could be detected. The importance of monitoring ‘the guidelines to the unconscious’ like Dr Davanloo has called a set of scientific parameters linked with unconscious activity, is emphasized. As otherwise the therapist gets lost in his attempt to undo, together with the patient, ‘the sealing off’ which is a result of many years of severing any connection with the unconscious. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Evidence for change of the interfacially local structure of titanium oxide/bis[(4,4′‐carboxy‐2,2′‐bipyridine) (thiocyanato)] ruthenium nanocomposite
Authors: Ju X. , Zhang J. , Wu K. W. , Hou Y. J. , Xie P. H. , Zhang B. W.
Published: September 2002

Titanium oxide/bis[(4,4′‐carboxy‐2,2′‐bipyridine)(thiocyanato)]ruthenium (cis‐(NCS)2RuL2) nanocomposites were prepared by the self‐assembly method. In this system, their interfacially local structures were probed by x‐ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and the Ti–O interatomic distance and the coordination number of the O atoms around the Ti central atoms were extracted. Compared with TiO2 nanoparticles, the Ti local structure in the nanocomposite was changed, which is responsible for binding cis‐(NCS)2RuL2 to the surface of TiO2 nanoparticles. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.