bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bilateral testicular germ cell tumors
Authors: Che Mingxin , Tamboli Pheroze , Ro Jae Y. , Park Dong Soo , Ro Jung Sil , Amato Robert J. , Ayala Alberto G.
Published: October 2002

BACKGROUND

The incidence of testicular carcinoma in the United States has increased significantly over the last two decades. Germ cell tumors form the majority of malignant testicular tumors. With advances in diagnosis and therapeutic approaches, germ cell tumors are now highly sensitive to treatment, providing long‐term survival. It has been speculated that the incidence of bilateral germ cell tumors may increase due to the improved survival of patients with unilateral germ cell tumors. In this report, the authors present a study of bilateral germ cell tumors of the testis in men who were treated at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center over a 20‐year period with emphasis on their incidence, histologic features, and clinical features.

METHODS

Between 1978 and 1999, 2431 patients with testicular germ cell tumors were treated at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center. Among these, 24 patients with bilateral germ cell tumors were identified. Clinical records and all available pathology slides of the tumors were reviewed.

RESULTS

The overall incidence of bilateral germ cell tumors in the patients with testicular germ cell tumors was 1% (24 of 2431 patients). The incidence was 1.8% (14 of 776 patients) in patients with seminoma and 0.6% (10 of 1655 patients) in patients with nonseminomatous germ cell tumors. Patients with seminoma who were age ≤ 30 years at the time of initial diagnosis had a higher incidence of bilateral tumors compared with older men. Twenty of 24 patients with bilateral germ cell tumors had metachronous tumors, and 4 patients had synchronous tumors. Among the patients with metachronous tumors, 70% of second tumors occurred within 5 years; the longest interval between the first and second tumors was 15 years. The outcome of patients with bilateral germ cell tumors was excellent; only 1 of 24 patients died of metastatic disease.

CONCLUSIONS

The overall incidence of bilateral testicular germ cell tumors was 1% in patients who were treated at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center over the past two decades. The incidence of bilateral germ cell tumors was related to the histologic type of the initial tumor and to the patient's age at initial presentation in patients with seminoma. Thus, patients in the second or third decade of life who presented with seminomas as their initial tumor were more likely to develop a second germ cell tumor compared with patients in the fourth or fifth decade of life. These findings have potentially important implications for clinical management by identifying a population of patients with germ cell tumors who are at risk of developing a second tumor and also for studying risk factors of bilateral germ cell tumors of the testis. Cancer 2002;95:1228–33. © 2002 American Cancer Society.

DOI 10.1002/cncr.10804
Second‐line, low‐dose, weekly paclitaxel in patients with stage IIIB/IV nonsmall cell lung carcinoma who fail first‐line chemotherapy with carboplatin plus paclitaxel
Authors: Socinski Mark A. , Schell Michael J. , Bakri Kamal , Peterman Amy , Lee Ji‐Hyun , Unger Paul , Yates Steven , Hudgens Stacie , Kies Merrill S.
Published: October 2002

BACKGROUND

Second‐line chemotherapy with docetaxel improves survival and quality of life (QoL) in patients with nonsmall cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) who fail first‐line platinum‐based regimens. The authors sought to determine the activity of second‐line, low‐dose, weekly paclitaxel in patients with NSCLC who failed first‐line chemotherapy with carboplatin plus paclitaxel.

METHODS

Patients with Stage IIIB/IV NSCLC who had received first‐line carboplatin/paclitaxel were treated with low‐dose (80 mg/m2), weekly paclitaxel at the time of disease progression. Response rates, QoL, and survival were outcome end points.

RESULTS

Sixty‐two patients were included in this analysis. The median age was 62 years (range, 32–76 years), 55% of patients were male, 89% of patients had Stage IV NSCLC, and the Karnofsky performance status was 90–100% in 31% of patients, 70–80% in 55% of patients, and 60% in 14% of patients. Twenty‐six percent of patients experienced disease progression as their best response to first‐line carboplatin plus paclitaxel, whereas 52% of patients had stable disease, and 23% of patients had achieved a response. The median time from first‐line carboplatin plus paclitaxel to second‐line, low‐dose, weekly paclitaxel was 9.5 weeks (range, 1–78 weeks). The toxicity profile was extremely favorable, with no Grade 4 toxicity and < 10% Grade 3 hematologic or nonhematologic toxicity in all patients with the exception of neuropathy. Ten percent of patients experienced both Grade 2 and Grade 3 neuropathy. The overall objective response rate was 8%. The median survival was 5.2 months (95% confidence interval [95%CI], 3.6–6.2 months), and the 1‐year and 2‐year survival rates were 20% (95%CI, 10–30%) and 9% (95%CI, 1–16%), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Second‐line, low‐dose, weekly paclitaxel had activity in selected patients with Stage IIIB/IV NSCLC who failed first‐line chemotherapy with carboplatin plus paclitaxel. The toxicity profile of this approach is extremely favorable, and outcome expectations are similar to the outcome expectations with other single agents in this setting. Cancer 2002;95:1265–73. © 2002 American Cancer Society.

DOI 10.1002/cncr.10835
Ebony protein in the Drosophila nervous system: Optic neuropile expression in glial cells
Authors: Richardt Arnd , Rybak Jürgen , Störtkuhl Klemens F. , Meinertzhagen Ian A. , Hovemann Bernhard T.
Published: October 2002

The Drosophila ebony mutation (Bridges and Morgan, [1923] Publs Carnegie Inst Wash 327:50) reveals a pleiotropic phenotype with cuticular and behavioral defects. To understand Ebony function in the nervous system, particularly in transmission of the visual signal, it is essential to know the cell type and temporal characteristics of its expression throughout development. Therefore, we raised an antiserum against an Ebony peptide to detect the protein in whole‐mount and slice preparations of Drosophila. Attention was focused on ebony expression in the adult optic neuropiles of the fly. Colocalization of Ebony with neuronal or glial cell markers in frozen sections showed non‐neuronal expression of ebony in the lamina and medulla neuropiles. Furthermore, colocalization with glial cell markers demonstrated glial expression of ebony in epithelial glia of the lamina and neuropile glia of the distal medulla. This finding was confirmed for the lamina epithelial glia by electron microscopic examination of immunolabeling by using the diaminobenzidine method. These glia have in common that they match the two sites of histamine release from the compound eye's photoreceptors. Possible ways in which the biochemical activity of Ebony might function with respect to histamine release are considered. J. Comp. Neurol. 452:93–102, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Dual analysis by a meshless method
Authors: Duflot Marc , Nguyen‐Dang Hung
Published: October 2002

A meshless method to solve elastostatic problems based on an equilibrium model is presented. This means that the equilibrium and constitutive equations are satisfied a priori and that the approximation only concerns the compatibility equations. The application of this method together with the classical displacement meshless method leads to upper and lower bounds on the energy. The difference between these bounds gives a global error estimation on the solution. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Program evaluation in a challenging authorizing environment: Intergovernmental and interorganizational factors
Authors: Fredericks Kimberly A. , Carman Joanne G. , Birkland Thomas A.
Published: October 2002

In today's environment, social services are provided by complex institutional and political networks comprising multiple program sponsors, implementers, and stakeholders. This environment exacerbates many problems that can occur, even in the simplest of evaluations. The authors outline the major intergovernmental and interorganizational challenges associated with doing program evaluation in today's environment and offer recommendations designed to improve evaluation efforts.
Building local program evaluation capacity toward a comprehensive evaluation
Authors: Tang Hao , Cowling David W. , Koumjian Kristi , Roesler April , Lloyd Jon , Rogers Todd
Published: October 2002

This chapter presents a state agency's approach to developing and improving the self‐assessment and accountability of local progams overseen and funded by a large statewide program. Specifically, a self‐assessment approach to evaluating local tobacco control programs and projects in California is introduced as an example of “empowerment evaluation” in action.
Program evaluation in state legislatures: Professional services delivered in a complex, competitive environment
Authors: Berry Frances S. , Turcotte John W. , Latham Sarah C.
Published: October 2002

The products and operations of program evaluation units in state legislatures have changed over the past twenty‐five years. Specific changes in legislative staff's authorizing environment have had an impact on their work, including increased political competition and partisanship, term limits, and legislative access to a larger more varied range of information. This chapter examines the current status of state legislative program evaluation.
Using standardized outcome measures in the federal government
Authors: Schay Brigitte W. , Beach Mary Ellen , Caldwell Jacqueline A. , LaPolice Christelle
Published: October 2002

This article demonstrates the strategic role HR can play in the government's efforts to measure its
effectiveness. As federal agencies are being held increasingly accountable for their performance, the need for
standardized outcome measures to assess results has become critical. The authors describe a
balanced‐measures approach for the federal government and provide examples of generic, standardized
measures for each perspective of the Balanced Scorecard, including key measures for the HR function. The
authors also detail the development of one such measure, a generic customer satisfaction survey. The survey was
pilot‐tested with three HR organizations in the federal government and is being used by agencies to
measure satisfaction with internal services including HR. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Best practices in public‐sector human resources: Wisconsin State Government
Authors: Lavigna Robert J.
Published: October 2002

There is widespread agreement that government human resource systems and processes must become more
responsive, flexible, and efficient. However, reform remains more a goal than a reality. The Wisconsin
Department of Employment Relations, the state government central personnel/HRM office, has aggressively
improved the state human resource/civil service system. Improvements include modernizing state civil service laws, delegating decision‐making to operating agencies, developing creative ways to assess job applicants, making greater use of technology, expanding recruiting activities, creating more flexibility in compensation, expanding affirmative action efforts, and forging partnerships with public employee labor unions. These reforms have resulted in faster hiring, well‐qualified job candidates, a more diverse work force, and better ways to reward and retain talent. The department has implemented these improvements while still preserving fundamental principles of merit, fairness, and openness. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A potential role of heat shock proteins and nicotinamide N‐methyl transferase in predicting response to radiation in bladder cancer
Authors: Kassem Heba Sh. , Sangar Vijay , Cowan Richard , Clarke Noel , Margison Geoffrey P.
Published: October 2002

The use of definitive radiotherapy for treatment of invasive bladder cancer has the advantage of preserving bladder function, but tumour regression is only achieved in approximately 40–50% of patients. Knowledge of the molecular basis of sensitivity to ionizing radiation and identification of potential molecular predictors will provide useful information regarding patient response and thus help clinicians to individualize treatment. The recent application of cDNA expression array technology provides a useful tool to investigate hundreds or even thousands of genes in a single experiment. In our study, we have used the Atlas human stress cDNA array™ to investigate the expression profile of stress‐related and DNA repair genes in a radioresistant bladder carcinoma cell line (MGH‐U1) and its radiosensitive subclone (S40b). This provides an ideal situation to study genes related to radiation because the genotypes of both cell lines are basically similar and differential changes detected are likely to be related to the different radiosensitivity phenotype. Of 234 genes blotted on the array, 3 genes (Heat shock protein 90, Heat shock protein 27 and Nicotinamide N‐methyl transferase) showed consistent downregulation in the radiosensitive clone in 2 independent experiments. These results were further confirmed for HSP27 and NNMT using Sybr Green I‐based real‐time QRT‐PCR. The role of heat shock proteins (HSPs) in response to radiation remains to be determined; however, the results of our present work suggest a possible role of HSP27 in determining radiosensitivity. Our study also opens avenues for the investigation of genes, such as NNMT, which has not previously been linked to response to radiation. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Linear scaling approaches to quantum macromolecular similarity: Evaluating the similarity function
Authors: Constans Pere
Published: October 2002

The evaluation of the electron density based similarity function scales quadratically with respect to the size of the molecules for simplified, atomic shell densities. Due to the exponential decay of the function's atom‐atom terms most interatomic contributions are numerically negligible on large systems. An improved algorithm for the evaluation of the Quantum Molecular Similarity function is presented. This procedure identifies all non‐negligible terms without computing unnecessary interatomic squared distances, thus effectively turning to linear scaling the similarity evaluation. Presented also is a minimalist dynamic electron density model. Approximate, single shell densities together with the proposed algorithm facilitate fast electron density based alignments on macromolecules. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem 23: 1305–1313, 2002
Presynaptic modulation of sensory neurons in the segmental ganglia of arthropods
Authors: Watson Alan Hugh David
Published: October 2002

The afferent terminals of arthropod sensory neurones receive abundant input synapses, usually closely intermingled with the sites of synaptic output. The majority of the input synapses use the neurotransmitter GABA, but in some afferents there is a significant glutamatergic or histaminergic component. GABA and histamine shunt afferent action potentials by increasing chloride conductance. Though glutamate can also have this effect in the arthropod central nervous system, its action on afferent terminals appears to be mediated by increases in potassium conductance or by the action of metabotropic receptors. The action of the presynaptic synapses on the afferents are many and varied. Even on the same afferent, they may have several distinct roles that can involve both tonic and phasic patterns of primary afferent depolarisation. Despite the ubiquity and importance of their effects however, the populations of neurones from which the presynaptic synapses are made, remain largely unidentified. Microsc. Res. Tech. 58:262–271, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Peripheral synaptic contacts at mechanoreceptors in arachnids and crustaceans: Morphological and immunocytochemical characteristics
Authors: Fabian‐Fine Ruth , Seyfarth Ernst‐August , Meinertzhagen Ian A.
Published: October 2002

Two types of sensory organs in crustaceans and arachnids, the various mechanoreceptors of spiders and the crustacean muscle receptor organs (MRO), receive extensive efferent synaptic innervation in the periphery. Although the two sensory systems are quite different—the MRO is a muscle stretch receptor while most spider mechanoreceptors are cuticular sensilla—this innervation exhibits marked similarities. Detailed ultrastructural investigations of the synaptic contacts along the mechanosensitive neurons of a spider slit sense organ reveal four important features, all having remarkable resemblances to the synaptic innervation at the MRO: (1) The mechanosensory neurons are accompanied by several fine fibers of central origin, which are presynaptic upon the mechanoreceptors. Efferent control of sensory function has only recently been confirmed electrophysiologically for the peripheral innervation of spider slit sensilla. (2) Different microcircuit configuration types, identified on the basis of the structural organization of their synapses. (3) Synaptic contacts, not only upon the sensory neurons but also between the efferent fibers themselves. (4) Two identified neurotransmitter candidates, GABA and glutamate. Physiological evidence for GABAergic and glutamatergic transmission is incomplete at spider sensilla. Given that the sensory neurons are quite different in their location and origin, these parallels are most likely convergent. Although their significance is only partially understood, mostly from work on the MRO, the close similarities seem to reflect functional constraints on the organization of efferent pathways in the brain and in the periphery. Microsc. Res. Tech. 58:283–298, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Reporter genes: too much of a good thing?
Authors: Torbett Bruce E.
Published: October 2002

Advances in viral vector design and identification of new reporter genes have allowed the development of novel delivery systems. In the presence of reporter genes, cellular transduction frequency, expression of the gene of interest and phenotypic effects in cells expressing the gene under study can now be easily monitored both in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, the presence of unique cell markers allows for the enrichment of transduced cells for research studies or patient infusion. The ideal reporter gene product should be biologically inert and not influence the cell population under investigation. Recent reports suggest that reporter gene products may not be biologically benign. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Prevalence and profile of mutations associated with lamivudine therapy in Indian patients with chronic hepatitis B in the surface and polymerase genes of hepatitis B virus
Authors: Wakil Salma M. , Kazim Syed N. , Khan Luqman A. , Raisuddin Sheikh , Parvez Mohammad K. , Guptan Rajkumar C. , Thakur Varsha , Hasnain Seyed E. , Sarin Shiv K.
Published: October 2002

Lamivudine results in the selection of resistant hepatitis B virus (HBV) variants. Because the surface gene of HBV overlaps completely the polymerase gene, the incidence and profile of surface and polymerase gene mutations were investigated prospectively in chronic HBV patients who were on lamivudine therapy. Twenty‐six patients with chronic liver disease confirmed histologically were included in this study. Extracted HBV DNA from sera samples were subjected to PCR amplification for the mutation prone regions of the surface and polymerase genes of the HBV genome. The emergence of mutant forms and biochemical derangements were studied carefully during the course of the therapy. In six of 26 (23%) patients, mutations emerged on lamivudine therapy. YM552I/VDD resistant mutants were observed in one (6%) and five (29%) patients at Month 12 and 18, respectively, out of 17 patients, who had completed more than 9 months of therapy. The mean time of emergence of resistance was 16.4 ± 6.8 months. In three of the five patients, emergence of YM552I/VDD mutation was accompanied with a rise in HBV DNA levels. In two patients, mutations were noticed at the end of the viral breakthrough; when the DNA level went down to undetectable levels (<0.5 pg/mL). In two patients, normal ALT levels were found at the time of emergence of the YMDD mutation. YM552I/VDD mutations were observed in 43% of HBeAg positive and 20% of anti‐HBe positive patients (P = ns). Although the ‘a’‐determinant region was found to be unaffected; in one patient, a novel pattern due to emergence of YIDD mutant was observed; the corresponding aa in the S‐ORF turned to a stop codon. In summary, the frequency of emergence of YM552I/VDD mutations was 29% at Month 18 in the Indian patients. The presence of normal ALT and low levels of HBV DNA do not exclude the existence of resistant mutants. Novel mutations in the S‐ORF, which lead to premature surface gene termination might affect the production of HBsAg and need further study. J. Med. Virol. 68:311–318, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Detection of cytomegalovirus DNA in human placenta
Authors: Kumazaki Kaori , Ozono Keiichi , Yahara Takeshi , Wada Yoshinao , Suehara Noriyuki , Takeuchi Makoto , Nakayama Masahiro
Published: October 2002

Although human cytomegalovirus (CMV) is one of the most common causes of viral intrauterine and perinatal infection, its distribution in the placenta is poorly understood. The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency of CMV DNA positivity in placentas, to demonstrate the localization of the viral genome, and to identify the clinical features related to placental CMV. A total of 254 placentas from 231 mothers were investigated, and the maternal serum CMV immunoglobulin antibodies were measured. Specimens from both the placental parenchyma and the placental membrane close to the ruptured site in each placenta were examined for the presence of CMV DNA using dot blot hybridization after PCR amplification. None of 57 placentas from seronegative mothers was positive for CMV DNA. Of 197 placentas from seropositive mothers, 60 (30.5%) had CMV DNA in either the parenchyma or the membrane by dot blot analysis. In situ hybridization was carried out on these 60 placentas, and the localization of the viral genome was established in 19; CMV DNA was localized mostly to the villi, including the mesenchyme and trophoblasts, extravillous trophoblasts, and decidual cells. The mean gestational age at delivery was significantly later in the CMV DNA‐positive placentas than in the negative placentas (36.9 ±  5.1 vs 34.7 ± 6.2 weeks, P = 0.0059). CMV DNA was detected in only 6 of 33 placentas delivered in the second trimester, and all six were associated with either severe maternal nephritis or severe chorioamnionitis. These results suggest that the CMV genome is common in placentas at later gestational ages and in those of earlier gestational ages with certain maternal complications. J. Med. Virol. 68:363–369, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Spectral kinetics of 3 + 3 dipolar thermal dimerization in some carbanion monosubstituted 3‐(p‐halo‐phenyl)‐pyridazinium ylid solutions
Authors: Dorohoi Dana , Cotlet M. , Mangalagiu I.
Published: October 2002

The visible intramolecular charge transfer band of some carbanion monosubstituted 3‐(p‐halo‐phenyl)‐pyridazinium ylids in benzene solutions has been considered as an indicator of the ylid stability. The catalytic effect of light on 3 + 3 dipolar thermal dimerization reaction was revealed. The dimerization reaction was found to be of the second order in the ylid concentration. The rate of dimerization was found to be promoted by increasing the electronegativity of the substituents on the ylid carbanion. The associated intramolecular charge transfer band oscillator strength has been correlated with the rate constant. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 34: 613–619, 2002
An empirical analysis of the practices and therapeutic power of mood‐alleviative consumption in Finland
Authors: Luomala Harri T.
Published: October 2002

This article tackles empirically the phenomenon of mood‐alleviative consumption in Finland. In an attempt to advance consumer‐behavior theory development toward building a theory or model of mood‐alleviative consumption, empirical insights derived from Finnish consumers concerning the practices and therapeutic power of mood‐alleviative consumption activities are offered. A phenomenological analysis identified eight types of therapeutic power stemming from different mood‐alleviative consumption activities: distraction, self‐indulgence, stimulated elaboration, outcomes of mood‐alleviative activities, recharging, discharging, retreat, and activation. It was also discovered that certain mood‐alleviative consumer behaviors can be therapeutic in multiple ways simultaneously, that different persons may experience the same mood‐alleviative consumer behavior therapeutically differently, and that certain mood‐alleviative consumption activities are more typically engaged in by women, whereas certain other mood‐alleviative consumption activities are more typically pursued by men. The article is concluded by a discussion highlighting theoretical implications and suggestions for further research. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Detrusor instability with equivocal obstruction: A predictor of unfavorable symptomatic outcomes after transurethral prostatectomy
Authors: Machino Rintaro , Kakizaki Hidehiro , Ameda Kaname , Shibata Takashi , Tanaka Hiroshi , Matsuura Shinobu , Koyanagi Tomohiko
Published: October 2002

Aims

To elucidate whether preoperative urodynamic findings can predict outcomes of transurethral resection of the prostate (TUR‐P).

Methods

Sixty‐two patients with symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia were categorized in three different ways based on findings of preoperative pressure‐flow study (PFS) and cystometry: urodynamic obstruction (determined by the Abrams‐Griffiths nomogram), detrusor instability (DI), and combination of both. Outcomes of TUR‐P regarding symptom, function, and quality of life (QOL) were analyzed by changes in the International Prostate Symptom Score (I‐PSS), maximum flow rate in uroflowmetry, and QOL index before and after TUR‐P, respectively. Overall outcome was defined as success when all of the three categories showed successful improvement.

Results

Neither urodynamic obstruction alone nor DI alone predicted outcomes of TUR‐P. However, symptomatic and overall outcomes were significantly worse in patients who were not obstructed but had DI. Postoperative persistent DI was more frequently noted in patients without clear obstruction (60%) than in those with obstruction (27%). Patients with equivocal obstruction showed less satisfactory symptomatic outcomes of TUR‐P when DI was accompanied. Persistent DI might be the principle cause of unfavorable outcomes.

Conclusions

Preoperative evaluation of DI is of benefit because it enhances predictive value of the PFS. Neurourol. Urodynam. 21:444–449, 2002. © Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A pilot study of group exercise training (GET) for women with primary breast cancer: feasibility and health benefits
Authors: Kolden Gregory G. , Strauman Timothy J. , Ward Ann , Kuta Jackie , Woods Teresa E. , Schneider Kristin L. , Heerey Erin , Sanborn Lisa , Burt Cathy , Millbrandt Lisa , Kalin Ned H. , Stewart James A. , Mullen Beth
Published: October 2002

Evidence is accumulating for physical activity as an effective, well‐tolerated, highly rewarding complementary behavioral intervention for enhancing quality of life (QOL) as well as fitness among individuals with chronic and even terminal illnesses. However, relatively few studies have examined the feasibility and potential health benefits of supervised, structured exercise programs for sedentary women with primary breast cancer. Forty women over the age of 45 with primary breast cancer participated in a course of group exercise training (GET) delivered in a structured format three times per week for 16 weeks. GET emphasizes physical activities that promote aerobic fitness, strength, and flexibility. Assessments of fitness/vigor and QOL were conducted prior to, during, and upon completion of the program. Results demonstrated that GET was feasible, safe, and well‐tolerated. Moreover, the participants experienced significant health benefits over the course of the intervention in multiple dimensions of fitness/vigor (aerobic capacity, strength, flexibility) as well as QOL (increased positive affect, decreased distress, enhanced well‐being, and improved functioning). Discussion highlights the need for inclusion of physical activity programs in comprehensive, complementary treatment regimes for breast cancer patients. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Space Internet architectures and technologies for NASA enterprises
Authors: Bhasin Kul , Hayden Jeffrey L.
Published: October 2002

NASA's future space communication needs and requirements will be addressed through a space communications network that mirrors the terrestrial Internet in its capabilities and flexibility. NASA's needs and requirements for future data gathering and distribution by this Space Internet have been obtained from NASA's Earth Science Enterprise (ESE), the Human Exploration and Development in Space (HEDS), and the Space Science Enterprise (SSE).

To address NASA's future needs, we propose and describe an integrated communications infrastructure based on Internet technologies, the architectures within the infrastructure, and the elements that make up the architectures.

The architectures meet the requirements of the enterprises beyond 2010 with Internet compatible technologies and functionality. The elements of an architecture include the backbone, access, inter‐spacecraft, and proximity communication parts. From the architectures, technologies have been identified which have the most impact and are critical for the implementation of the architectures. Published in 2002 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Lichen Genus Xanthoparmelia (Ascomycotina, Parmeliaceae) in Italy
Authors: Giordani Paolo , Nicora Paolo , Rellini Ivano , Brunialti Giorgio , Elix John A.
Published: October 2002

Eleven Xanthoparmelia species have been identified from Italy. A key to the species is provided and the distinguishing morphological and chemical characters, distribution, ecology, substratum preference and interrelationships of each are discussed. Xanthoparmelia cumberlandia is reported for the first time from Europe; X. angustiphylla and X. plittii are new to Italy.
FT-Raman Spectroscopy of three Foliicolous Lichens from Costa Rican Rainforests
Authors: Oliveira L. F. C. de , Edwards H. G. M. , Feo-Manga J. C. , Seaward M. R. D. , Lücking R.
Published: October 2002

The first FT-Raman spectroscopic study of foliicolous lichens is reported. Detailed spectra obtained by macroscopic and microscopic means for Calenia triseptata Zahlbr., Echinoplaca strigulacea (Müll. Arg.) R.Sant. and Tricharia carnea (Müll. Arg.) R.Sant. collected from Costa Rican rainforests have been interpreted mainly in terms of their xalate content. The Raman spectra show a significant presence of calcium oxalate monohydrate (whewellite) despite the lack of calcium ions available in the leaf itself. A reasonable explanation for its presence could be the result of the incorporation of calcium ions from airborne dust and/or dissolved in rain falling on the canopy.
The Foliicolous Lichen Flora of Mexico. I. New Species from Los Tuxtlas Tropical Biology Station, Veracruz
Authors: Herrera-Campos M. A. , Lücking R.
Published: October 2002

Nine new species of foliicolous lichens are described from Los Tuxtlas Tropical Biology Station, Veracruz, Mexico: Asterothyrium atromarginatum sp. nov. (Asterothyriaceae), Enterographa perez-higaredae sp. nov. (Roccellaceae), Gyalectidium barbatum sp. nov., G. pallidum sp. nov., G. ulloae sp. nov. (Gomphillaceae), Opegrapha heliabravoa sp. nov., O. tuxtlensis sp. nov. (Roccellaceae), Pocsia alvari sp. nov. (Verrucariaceae) and Tricharia sublancicarpa sp. nov. (Gomphillaceae). Pycnidia are reported for the first time in Coenogonium hypophyllum (Vězda) Kalb & Lücking.
Functional modulation of a peroxygenase cytochrome P450: novel insight into the mechanisms of peroxygenase and peroxidase enzymes
Authors: Matsunaga Isamu , Sumimoto Tatsuo , Ayata Minoru , Ogura Hisashi
Published: October 2002

Cytochrome P450BSβ is a peroxygenase that catalyzes the α‐ or β‐hydroxylation of myristic acid by utilizing H2O2. The wild‐type enzyme not only hydroxylated myristic acid, but oxidized 3,5,3′,5′‐tetramethylbenzidine (TMB), a peroxidase substrate, in a myristic acid‐dependent reaction. Study of inhibition of hydroxylation of myristic acid by TMB indicates these two substrates compete for the same highly reactive intermediate during the course of their respective reactions. When deuterated myristic acid was used as a substrate to decrease hydroxylation activity, the rate of TMB oxidation increased. This increased rate of TMB oxidation was greatly enhanced when the R242K mutant enzyme bound with deuterated myristic acid was used. These results suggest that there are critical structural elements at the distal active site which determine whether this enzyme acts as a peroxygenase or a peroxidase.
Glucose induced MAPK signalling influences NeuroD1‐mediated activation and nuclear localization
Authors: Petersen Helle V , Jensen Jan N , Stein Roland , Serup Palle
Published: October 2002

The helix–loop–helix transcription factor NeuroD1 (also known as Beta2) is involved in β‐cell survival during development and insulin gene transcription in adults. Here we show NeuroD1 is primarily cytoplasmic at non‐stimulating glucose concentrations (i.e. 3 mM) in MIN6 β‐cells and nuclear under stimulating conditions (i.e. 20 mM). Quantification revealed that NeuroD1 was in 40–45% of the nuclei at 3 mM and 80–90% at 20 mM. Treatment with the MEK inhibitor PD98059 or substitution of a serine for an alanine at a potential mitogen‐activated protein kinase phosphorylation site (S274) in NeuroD1 significantly increased the cytoplasmic level at 20 mM glucose. The rise in NeuroD1‐mediated transcription in response to glucose also correlated with the change in sub‐cellular localization, a response attenuated by PD98059. The data strongly suggest that glucose‐stimulation of the MEK–ERK signalling pathway influences NeuroD1 activity at least partially through effects on sub‐cellular localization.
Clinical relevance of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in adolescents with severe mood disorder: evidence from a follow-up study
Authors: Taieb O. , Flament M.-F. , Chevret S. , Jeammet P. , Allilaire J.-F. , Mazet P. , Cohen D.
Published: October 2002

Given the limited knowledge on the long-term outcome of adolescents who receive electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), the study aimed to follow-up adolescents treated with ECT for severe mood disorder. Eleven subjects treated during adolescence with bilateral ECT for psychotic depression (n = 6) or mania (n = 5), and ten psychiatric controls matched for sex, age, school level, and clinical diagnosis, completed at least 1 year after treatment a clinical and social evaluation. Mean duration between time of index episode and time of follow-up evaluation was 5.2 years (range 2–9 years). At follow-up: (1) all patients except two in the control group received a diagnosis of bipolar disorder. (2) Fifteen patients had had more than one episode of mood disorder. (3) The two groups did not differ in social functioning nor school achievement. (4) Impact on school achievement was related to the severity of the mood disorder rather than ECT treatment. The results suggest that adolescents given ECT for bipolar disorder, depressed or manic, do not differ in subsequent school and social functioning from carefully matched controls.
Mass pressures, elite responses—roots of democratization: the case of the GDR
Authors: Pollack Detlef
Published: October 2002

The article tries to explain the social and political upheaval in the former GDR by using a theoretical model worked out by Pierre Bourdieu. Transition research within political science focuses mainly on the functional prerequisites necessary to liberalize and democratize authoritarian regimes. Bourdieu’s model, however, also accounts for the historical events, the political actors and their actions, and the social and political mechanisms through which a rapid change can be realized. By applying this approach on the system’s change in the GDR it is not only possible to determine the structural and functional conditions of the upheaval, but also to describe the concrete historical processes of how the upheaval took place. The approach used here is an attempt to mediate between ‘agency’ and ‘structure’ and thus to integrate historical argumentation into the theoretical framework provided by political science and sociology.
The dual challenge and the reform of the Hungarian socialist party
Authors: Ágh Attila
Published: October 2002

This paper deals with the new contradictions facing the social-democratic parties in ECE due to the ‘Dual Challenge’. The EU candidate countries have to perform a structural accommodation at the same time as the globalization and Europeanization when they have entered the period of early consolidation with its enhanced tensions due to the polarizing party system. Overcoming the economic deficit through drastic economic crisis management, they have created in fact a huge social deficit by the radical reduction of the public sector services in education and health care. While the West European social-democratic parties have experimented with various versions of the ‘Third Way’, their ECE counterparts have had to cope with the contradiction between the winners and the losers that has appeared very markedly in the case of HSP.
Management of heart failure patients in Poland
Authors: Korewicki J. , Rywik S. , Rywik T.
Published: October 2002

Over the next 10 years, heart failure is likely to become a medical and sociological problem as a result of improved treatment of ischaemic heart disease and hypertension. At present, in Poland, there are only 50% of the cardiological or cardiac surgery procedures (coronarography, PTCA, CABG, surgery of congenital or acquired heart disease) performed compared to Western Europe. After being registered on the waiting list, it can take anything between 3 and 12 months before the procedure is done. Patients with heart failure have diagnostic tests such as ECG, chest X‐ray, and biochemical evaluation performed regardless of the level of care. When echocardiography, exercise testing or Holter monitoring is required, it is done at specialist or reference specialist facilities with a waiting time of approximately 1–3 months. Pharmaceutical treatment of CHF is also inadequate. ACE inhibitors are prescribed in approximately 68% of patients. The average prescribed dosage is far from that recommended in guidelines. Only 18–29% of patients with HF are on beta blockers. The improvement of cardiological care standards depends mainly on the financial resources of State Health System Agencies.
THEORY OF GRAVITATIONAL FLUCTUATIONS IN BRANE WORLD MODELS
Authors: GIOVANNINI MASSIMO
Published: October 2002

A gauge invariant theory of gravitational fluctuations of brane-world model is presented. Without resorting to any specific gauge choice, a general method is presented in order to disentangle the fluctuations of the energy–momentum tensor of the brane from the fluctuations of the metric. The employed procedure is gauge-invariant at every step. As an application of the formalism we address the localization of metric fluctuations on scalar branes breaking spontaneously five-dimensional Poincaré invariance is addressed. Assuming that the four-dimensional Planck mass is finite and that the geometry is regular, it is demonstrated that the vector and scalar fluctuations of the metric are not localized on the brane.
FICKIAN DIFFUSION AND NEWTONIAN COOLING: A CONCEPT FOR NOISE INDUCED CLIMATE VARIABILITY WITH LONG-TERM MEMORY?
Authors: FRAEDRICH KLAUS
Published: October 2002

Observed near surface air and soil temperature time series reveal a long-term memory, which is associated with a power-law scaling of the frequency spectra, S(ω) ~ ω- β with β ~ 0.6, lying between white and flicker noise, 0 < β < 1. As this power law scaling is not consistent with the Brownian motion concept of climate variability, Fickian diffusion is added to a Newtonian cooling relaxation to provide a more suitable analog of climatic fluctuations: (i) Diffusive plus random heat fluxes parametrise the turbulent mixing by synoptic scale eddy life cycles, affect tropospheric and near surface temperatures and excite a long-term memory regime with a β ~ 0.5 scaling. (ii) Newtonian cooling describes the near surface temperatures relaxing towards a global mean deep soil temperature and stabilises the system to a white noise response at very low frequencies. The long-term memory regime emerges from the high frequency scaling (β ~ 1.5), once temperatures become correlated in space due to diffusion, so that spatially averaged fluctuations correlate for times beyond the diffusion time scale. The long-term memory regime disappears into a white noise plateau (β ~ 0), when low frequencies exceed the damping time scale of Newtonian cooling. This system may be interpreted as a diffusive system relaxing towards the deep soil restoration temperature with an almost infinitely large time scale.
CORRELATION EFFECTS IN A SIMPLE STOCHASTIC MODEL OF THE THERMOHALINE CIRCULATION
Authors: MONAHAN ADAM HUGH
Published: October 2002

A simple model of the thermohaline circulation of the World Ocean is considered, in which fluctuations in internal oceanic mixing and in freshwater forcing are represented by stochastic processes. The effects on the stationary probability density function of correlations between fluctuations in mixing and freshwater forcing, and of finite autocorrelation time in oceanic mixing, are determined using a mixture of analytical and numerical techniques. The quantitative behaviour of the system is found to depend on the strength and correlation character of the noise processes, quite sensitively so in some regions of parameter space. The results of this analysis suggest the importance of accurately modelling high-frequency variability in nonlinear models of the climate system.
Preparation and Characterization of Novel Aromatic-inserted Tris-fused Tetrathiafulvalenes
Authors: Takahashi Kazuyuki , Tanioka Hiroaki , Fueno Hiroyuki , Misaki Yohji , Tanaka Kazuyoshi
Published: October 2002

New families of extended tris-fused TTFs, in which aromatic rings are inserted, have been synthesized. Cyclic voltammetry and theoretical calculation of them indicate electronic structure of the furan and thiophene derivatives may be regarded as tris-fused TTFs, whereas the benzene derivative as a dimeric (2-methylidene-1,3-dithiolo[4,5-d])-TTF.
Haterumaimides J and K, Potent Cytotoxic Diterpene Alkaloids from the Ascidian Lissoclinum Species
Authors: Uddin M Jasim , Kokubo Susumu , Ueda Katsuhiro , Suenaga Kiyotake , Uemura Daisuke
Published: October 2002

Two unique cytotoxic diterpene alkaloids, haterumaimides J and K, were isolated from the ascidian Lissoclinum sp. Their structures were elucidated by an extensive analysis of spectral data. Haterumaimides J and K showed potent cytotoxicity against P388 cells, with IC50 values of 0.23 ng/mL and 0.45 ng/mL, respectively.
Acute myocardial infarction as the presenting symptom of acute myeloblastic leukemia with extreme hyperleukocytosis
Authors: Cohen Yossi , Amir Gail , Da'as Nael , Gillis Shmuel , Rund Deborah , Polliack Aaron
Published: October 2002

This case report deals with an unusual leukostatic complication in a 56‐year‐old woman with acute myeloblastic leukemia (AML) and extreme hyperleukocytosis (316 × 109/L) who presented with acute myocardial infarction (MI). After leukopheresis the patient achieved hemodynamic stabilization and rapid neurologic recovery of encephalopathy that had also developed after the infarction. Considering the central role of WBC in the remodeling of post MI myocardial tissue, it was obvious that administration of chemotherapy with its subsequent inevitable pancytopenia could impose an increased risk for further cardiac complications including myocardial rupture. Nevertheless, cytarabine‐based induction chemotherapy was initiated 3 days after admission, and she achieved prolonged complete remission. Coronary angiography disclosed segmental atherosclerosis, but the only significant obstruction was in the right coronary artery. The patient died with relapsed leukemia 7 years later without recurrence of any cardiac symptoms or signs. Autopsy disclosed segmental coronary atherosclerosis involving the LAD (60% obstruction), suggesting that atherosclerosis was a predisposing risk factor. Additional compromise to blood perfusion due to leukostasis had led to this unusual complication of AML involving a major vessel. This is the first documented case of leukostasis causing coronary artery occlusion as well as the first report of successful induction chemotherapy for AML during a myocardial infarction. Am. J. Hematol. 71:47–49, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Synthesis and characterization of poly(ethylene terephthalate‐co‐isophthalate)s with low content of isophthalate units
Authors: Karayannidis George P. , Bikiaris Demetris N. , Papageorgiou George Z. , Pastras Socrates V.
Published: October 2002

The objective of this work was to study the effect of the introduction of low amounts of isophthalate units on the mechanical properties, crystallization rates, and thermal parameters of poly(ethylene terephthalate). For this reason a series of five random poly(ethylene terephthalate‐co‐isophthalate) copolymers, containing 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, and 4 mol % isophthalic acid, were prepared by the melt polycondensation process. The intrinsic viscosity of copolymers ranged between 0.7 and 0.8 dL/g. The increase of isophthalate content resulted in a significant decrease of the crystallization rates, but in a small decline of tensile strength, Young's modulus, and elongation at break, whereas tensile strength at yield point remained almost unaffected. Also, a decrease in the melting point was recorded, whereas the glass‐transition temperature was only very slightly affected. The higher decrease for the aforementioned parameters was noted for the copolymer with 4 mol % isophthalate units content. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 86: 1931–1941, 2002
Acetals‐induced strength increase of melamine–urea–formaldehyde (MUF) polycondensation adhesives. II. Solubility and colloidal state disruption
Authors: Zanetti M. , Pizzi A. , Beaujean M. , Pasch H. , Rode K. , Dalet P.
Published: October 2002

The strength improvement induced by addition of acetals such as methylal and ethylal in melamine–urea–formaldehyde (MUF) resins could be mostly ascribed to the increased effectiveness and participation of the melamine to resin cross‐linking. This phenomenon has been shown here, by matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight (MALDI‐TOF) mass spectroscopy, resin aging time stability, and mainly by laser light scattering, to be due to the following: (i) the increased solubility in water afforded by the acetals cosolvents of both the unreacted melamine and of the normally very much lower solubility, higher molecular weight, lower methylolated oligomers fraction, this leading to preferentially homogeneous and hence more effective reaction rather than heterogeneous reactions; and (ii) the effect that such acetals have on the size distribution of the resin colloidal particles, with the presence of acetals such as methylals markedly decreasing the average colloidal particles diameter of the resin. This latter effect appears to be due to the disruption of the molecular clustering of the MUF resin colloidal particles, but rearrangements in the size of the colloidal particles due to the decrease in surface tension of the system, which has also been noted, cannot be excluded. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 86: 1855–1862, 2002