bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reliability and validity of a new global dyskinesia rating scale in the MPTP‐lesioned non‐human primate
Authors: Petzinger G.M. , Quik M. , Ivashina E. , Jakowec M.W. , Jakubiak M. , Di Monte D. , Langston J.W.
Published: August 2002

Behavioral rating scales for dyskinesia in the non‐human primate are frequently used to assess the efficacy of new treatments and to provide a clinical correlative with neurochemical and neuropathological changes. Although a large variety of different scales have been used in non‐human primate studies, there is no single standardized scale, and none have been evaluated for reliability and validity. We are reporting a new global non‐human primate dyskinesia rating scale (GPDRS) for the squirrel monkey, developed in the context of an independent study of dyskinesia. In this report we demonstrate the reliability and validity of this scale. The GPDRS is a single‐item scale with well‐defined points and brevity allowing for rapid and easy application for assessing the overall degree of dyskinesia. In this study, seven MPTP‐lesioned and four non‐lesioned (control) non‐human primates were videotaped following treatment with either levodopa or water. To test inter‐ and intra‐rater reliability, three examiners rated the videotape independently at two different time points and these assessments were compared. The validity of the scale was tested in two phases. First, examiners rated the videotape using the GPDRS and the Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale (AIMS), a scale commonly used to rate dyskinesia in the non‐human primate, and the ratings from each scale were compared. Second, validity was tested in the context of an independent dyskinesia study, in which the scale was used to distinguish between two treatment groups. The GPDRS was shown to have high inter‐ and intra‐rater reliability and to be valid for the assessment of dyskinesia in the squirrel monkey. In this report we also demonstrate the inter‐ and intra‐rater reliability of the AIMS. © 2001 Movement Disorder Society.
Physiological assessment of muscle strength in vitro after direct injection of doxorubicin into rabbit sternocleidomastoid muscle
Authors: Falkenberg Jon H. , Iaizzo Paul A. , McLoon Linda K.
Published: August 2002

Doxorubicin chemomyectomy is a potent method for the permanent removal of a muscle or group of muscles after direct local injection, and has been used successfully to treat blepharospasm and hemifacial spasm patients. The efficacy of doxorubicin chemomyectomy on reducing muscle strength after direct injection of doxorubicin into rabbit sternocleidomastoid muscle was tested. One‐ and 6‐month postinjection force assessment was performed in vitro to measure alterations in peak twitch and tetanic force generation, as well as fatigue responses for the treated muscles compared to control. There were significant reductions of both twitch and tetanic peak amplitudes in the doxorubicin‐treated muscles. One month after treatment, the decreases in force were greater after 2 mg doxorubicin injections than after 1 mg doxorubicin. While there was a significant reduction in force generation after doxorubicin treatment, fatigue resistances for the doxorubicin‐treated muscles were increased compared to the controls. There were significant reductions in muscle mass after doxorubicin treatment, and by 6 months, the myosin heavy chain isoform distribution was similar to normal sternocleidomastoid, except for an increase in slow myosin‐positive fibers. Doxorubicin chemomyectomy resulted in a significant reduction in functional force generation in the treated sternocleidomastoid muscles. These findings suggest a potential clinical use of doxorubicin chemomyectomy to treat cervical dystonia patients. © 2001 Movement Disorder Society.
Treatment of restless legs syndrome with the dopamine agonist alpha‐dihydroergocryptine
Authors: Tergau Frithjof , Wischer Stephan , Wolf Christian , Paulus Walter
Published: August 2002

An open pilot study with the dopamine agonist α‐dihydroergocryptine (DHEC) was conducted in 16 patients with idiopathic restless legs syndrome (RLS) over a period of 5 weeks. Following a drug‐free interval of 1 week, the patients were treated with daily doses of 10 to 40 mg DHEC. As compared to baseline values, treatment led to a statistically significant reduction of subjective RLS symptoms. Overall complaints at night decreased significantly by 63.9 ± 38.1% as measured by a visual analogue scale. Detailed evaluation of sensory discomfort, motor restlessness, involuntary movements, as well as sleep quality also showed significant improvement. Side effects were mostly mild and affected mainly the gastrointestinal tract. Five patients needed domperidone for treatment of concomitant nausea. One patient stopped the study due to nausea. In conclusion, the results of this open study suggest a role for DHEC in the treatment of RLS. © 2001 Movement Disorder Society.
Truncal and limb apraxia in cortocobasal degeneration
Authors: Okuda B. , Tanaka H. , Kawabata K. , Tachibana H. , Sugita M.
Published: August 2002

We report a patient with probable corticobasal degeneration with prominent truncal apraxia, and review the literature. © 2001 Movement Disorder Society.
Dynamic graciloplasty for fecal incontinence
Authors: Baeten Cor G.M.I. , Uludag Özenç , Rongen Mart‐Jan
Published: August 2002

Fecal incontinence is a socially incapacitating condition with associated high treatment costs. The most common cause of fecal incontinence is trauma during childbirth followed by surgical interventions. After unsuccessful conventional treatment, muscle transposition is the next treatment option. Two local muscles are used for this purpose: the gluteus and the gracilis muscles. With both muscles, long‐term muscle contractions are difficult to maintain due to muscle fatigue. The gracilis muscle, however, is technically much easier to transfer and most activities of daily living and even sports are still possible. Experimental studies have shown that electrical stimulation of skeletal muscles can transform fatigue‐prone muscles into fatigue‐resistant muscles. In 1986, we started to perform graciloplasty procedures with intramuscular electrodes connected to an electrical stimulator. To date, 200 patients have been treated in our institution using dynamic graciloplasty. All patients had severe incontinence without control of liquid or solid feces, most of them had previously received unsuccessful treatment using other techniques. The mean age was 48 years, the average time that patients had been incontinent was 12.4 years, and the cause of incontinence were trauma (n = 99), congenital (n = 28), pudendopathy (n = 58), and low motor neurological lesions (n = 15). Of these patients, 76% were considered to have successful outcomes. Patients whose cause of incontinence was trauma or pudendopathy tended to respond better to this treatment than patients with anal atresia. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. MICROSURGERY 21:230–234 2001.
Silicone rubber tubulization in peripheral sensory nerve reconstruction: An experimental study in rabbits
Authors: Heijke Guda C.M. , Klopper Pieter J. , Baljet Bob , van Doorn Ilona B.M.
Published: August 2002

Silicone rubber (polydimethyl siloxane) tubes are used clinically in peripheral nerve reconstruction. A disadvantage of this procedure is that the material often has to be removed owing to its mechanical properties. The aim of our study was to investigate the healing of reconstructed sensory nerves tubulized by silicone rubber in an animal model. In our experiments, we reconstructed the saphenous nerves in 27 rabbits. In series 1 (n = 12), silicone rubber tubes were slid over a nerve suture without a gap. In series 2 (n = 12), silicone rubber tubes were slid over a 10‐mm nerve gap. In series 3 (n = 12), conventional suturing was performed in the collateral saphenous nerves of the animals of the series 1. Epineurial suturing was performed. Three other collateral nonoperated saphenous nerves served as controls. The healing was studied after 3, 6, and 12 months. Morphometric analysis of the regenerating axons was performed by using our new method for quantification of nerve fibers in cross sections stained by immunohistochemistry and using confocal laser scanning microscopy. Data analysis was carried out using a software program especially developed for this purpose. Our results showed in the silicone procedures that at 12 months significantly fewer axons per fascicle area were present compared with conventional suturing. However, mean axon diameters in the distal nerve stump of the silicone procedures did not differ significantly compared with the conventional suturing procedure. The ratio of total axon area to total fascicle area in the distal nerve stumps of the silicone procedure without gap was significantly smaller compared with the conventionally sutured nerve. The percentage outgrowing axons from the proximal nerve stump into the distal one in the silicone rubber procedure without gap was 57%. This was significantly higher than in the silicone rubber procedure with 10‐mm gap (48%). However, in conventional suturing, the percentage of outgrowing axons (99%) was significantly higher than in both tubulization procedures. It appeared that tubulization by silicone rubber of sutured nerves without gap did not enhance axon regeneration. Conventional suturing gave significantly better results. If a gap was present, the use of a silicone rubber tube was preferable to non‐suturing. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. MICROSURGERY 21:306–316 2001
Combined cuff and suture technique for orthotopic whole intestinal transplantation in rats
Authors: Nakao Atsunori , Tahara Kazunori , Inoue Seiichiro , Mizuta Kouichi , Takeichi Takayuki , Uchida Hiroo , Tanaka Noriaki , Kobayashi Eiji
Published: August 2002

For the purpose of immunological study on small intestinal transplantation (SIT), rat SIT models using direct suture technique widely have been used, which requires at least several months of training for microsurgery. Alternatively, a simple cuff technique for SIT has been mainly used by us, which reduces warm‐ischemic time and the training period, but the entire intestinal grafts usually obtain a limited blood supply. This report describes a modification of a combined cuff and suture technique for rat SIT to aid beginning microsurgical transplantation researchers. The advantages are 1) use of only arterial suturing, making it easier for beginners, with the cuff technique applied to the more difficult vein anastomosis; 2) achievement of better arterial inflow and graft survival than when the arterial cuff technique is used; and 3) doing only partial clamping of the aorta, which improves animal survival and success of the procedure. A very high successful rate in orthotopic whole SIT was achieved even by beginners. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. MICROSURGERY 22:85–90 2002
The effects on femtosecond light pulses advancing through a lens
Authors: Hovhannisyan D. L.
Published: August 2002

In the present paper, the results of theoretical investigations of a lens' dispersion characteristics and the field intensity of propagated through a lens spatial‐limited femtosecond pulses with a duration of several optical periods are presented. The dependences of group delay and group velocity dispersion that are introduced by the lens versus spatial coordinates and frequencies are obtained. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 31: 302–305, 2001.
A circular cylindrical dipole antenna
Authors: Eom Hyo J. , Park Jong K. , Cho Yong H.
Published: August 2002

The problem of a circular cylindrical dipole antenna is revisited. The Fourier transform and mode matching are used to obtain its rigorous solution in a convergent series. Our solution is compared with other results in terms of antenna admittance and current distribution. The angular radiation patterns of a circular cylinder antenna are shown for different circular cylinder radii of a dipole antenna. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 31: 322–324, 2001.
Slot‐loaded compact microstrip antenna for dual‐frequency operation
Authors: Kundukulam Sona O. , Paulson Manju , Aanandan C. K. , Mohanan P.
Published: August 2002

Dual‐frequency operation is achieved from a compact microstrip antenna by loading a pair of narrow slots close to its radiating edges. The two frequencies have parallel polarization planes and similar radiation characteristics. The ratio between the two operating frequencies can be tuned in the range (1.14–1.24), which is much smaller than that of similar designs. The above excellent radiation characteristics are achieved along with an area reduction of ∼75% compared to the standard rectangular patch. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 31: 379–381, 2001.
Single integral equation for diffraction from dielectric gratings in layered media
Authors: Yeung Michael S.
Published: August 2002

A single integral‐equation formulation based on multilayered media Green's functions is presented and applied to 2‐D dielectric grating problems. Its advantage over previous formulations based on free‐space Green's functions is that, here, the unknowns appear only on the surfaces of the nonplanar parts of a layered grating structure. © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 32: 383–388, 2002.
A comparison among different reduced‐size resonant microstrip patches
Authors: León G. , Boix R. R. , Medina F.
Published: August 2002

A numerical code has been developed for the full‐wave determination of the resonant frequencies and quality factors of microstrip patches with right‐angle corners of arbitrary shape. The code is based on the solution of an electric‐field integral equation (EFIE) by means of Galerkin's method in the spectral domain. The numerical code is used for the comparative analysis of microstrip patches of different shapes used as reduced‐size resonators and antennas. Out of the patches studied, the bilateral comb‐shaped patch and the meander‐shaped patch turn out to provide the largest size reduction for a given resonant frequency at the expense of showing at once the largest quality factors. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 29: 143–146, 2001.
Correlation peak variance minimization for nonzero‐order joint transform correlators in noise
Authors: Chen Chulung
Published: August 2002

A joint transform correlator with minimum variance in peak intensity using Lagrange multipliers has been designed in cases of both input zero‐mean noise and nonzero‐mean noise. Space‐domain‐based reference functions were proposed to achieve distortion‐invariant image recognition. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 29: 190–192, 2001.
Bandstop microstrip PBG filter with sinusoidal variation of the characteristic impedance and without etching in the ground plane
Authors: Nesic Dusan , Nesic Aleksandar
Published: August 2002

In this paper, we introduce a one‐dimensional (1‐D) microstrip photonic bandgap (PBG) filter with only one bandgap (without harmonic response) and without etching in the ground plane. The structure has a sinusoidal variation of the characteristic impedance as a function of the length of the microstrip line. Three examples of the proposed filter are presented. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 29: 418–420, 2001.
An inverse problem of electromagnetic scattering and the method of lines
Authors: Hooshyar M. A.
Published: August 2002

The problem of determining the shape of perfectly conducting cylindrical structures with arbitrary cross sections from electromagnetic scattering data is considered. Applying the method of lines, an efficient procedure is found for determining the shape of a cylinder from its electromagnetic scattering amplitude. To illustrate the procedure and its preliminary computational performance, numerical examples for cylinders with circular or cardioid cross sections are presented. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 29: 420–426, 2001.
A hybrid coordinate scheme for enhancing the finite‐difference time‐domain method
Authors: Zhou Baixin , Wang Sicong
Published: August 2002

In this paper, we present a hybrid coordinate FDTD scheme, in which we insert a local conformal coordinate system which conforms with the scatterers in a Cartesian coordinate system, when there exists a nonrectangular scatterer in the Cartesian coordinate system. We propose a new interpolation scheme in the overlap region to achieve low reflection from the interface between the built‐in and Cartesian regions. The numerical experiment demonstrates that this scheme has a significant improvement in the staircasing approximation. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 30: 114–116, 2001.
Polarization‐structure analysis of receiving antennas
Authors: Protsenko Mikhail B.
Published: August 2002

Research on the polarization structure of the receiving antenna excited by an arbitrary field is carried out. The necessary ratios, characterizing the optimal polarization antenna's structure, are determined by the criteria of the maximal and minimal received signal's power. The advantage of the received power is estimated for an optimal polarization. The statistical parameters of the receiving antenna with an optimal polarization structure are investigated. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 30: 116–119, 2001.
Therapy‐related leukemia associated with alkylating agents*
Authors: Davies Stella M.
Published: August 2002

The leukemogenic potential of alkylating agents has been known for many years and almost all alkylating agents in clinical use have been shown to increase the risk of leukemia. With these drugs the risk of leukemia appears to increase with increasing patient age, as does the risk of de novo myeloid leukemia in the population. Susceptibility to alkylating agent‐associated leukemia is influenced by the genetic constitution of the patient, and by the nature of the exposure. To illustrate the importance of these factors in etiology of leukemia, this paper discusses the contribution of disorders such as Fanconi anemia and neurofibromatosis to susceptibility to alkylating agent‐associated leukemia. This paper also discusses the contribution of alkylkating agents and other therapeutic exposures in the etiology of leukemias occurring after autologous bone marrow transplant. Med. Pediatr. Oncol. 36:536–540, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Orbital growth retardation in retinoblastoma survivors: Work in progress
Authors: Peylan‐Ramu Nili , Bin‐Nun Alona , Skleir‐Levy Miri , Bibas Arie , Koplewitz Benjamin , Anteby Irene , Pe'er Jacob
Published: August 2002

Background

Orbital growth retardation, after enucleation and/or external beam radiation for retinoblastoma (RB), is a serious late effect. We measured orbital volumes of RB survivors treated at Hadassah University Hospital, Jerusalem, between 1980–1998.

Procedure

Forty‐five orbits of 28 children with RB (17 bilateral, 11 unilateral) were examined. Thirty‐six orbits were irradiated, 19 enucleated, and 10 both enucleated and irradiated. The orbital volumes were calculated from a three‐dimensional orbital CT reconstruction. The orbits of RB survivors were compared to age‐matched controls.

Results

The mean age at diagnosis was 13 months, mean follow‐up time was 56 months. The mean volume of RB orbits (14.4 cc) was statistically significantly smaller than control orbits (17.8 cc). There was no difference between the mean volume of orbits treated with enucleation, irradiation or both. The orbital volume of children treated before the age of 12 months was statistically significantly smaller than those treated later. There was no difference between mean volume of fellow orbits in unilateral RB and controls. The mean orbital asymmetry index in control children (2.6%) was statistically significantly smaller than in RB survivors (14%).

Conclusions

There was a significant orbital growth retardation after enucleation and/or irradiation for RB. There was no difference between mean orbital volumes after enucleation, radiation or both. Orbital growth retardation was most prominent in children treated in the first year of life. Although small in number, our study suggests that deferring enucleation and/or irradiation until after the age of 12 months may reduce long‐term complications. Med Pediatr Oncol 2001;37:465–470. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Muonium atom addition to pyridine and to the pyridinium cation
Authors: Rhodes Christopher J. , Morris Harry , Reid Ivan D.
Published: August 2002

Muonium atoms are found to add mainly to the N‐atom and to the ortho and meta positions in pyridine in almost equal amounts, giving pyridinyl and 2‐azacyclohexadienyl radicals and 3‐azacyclohexadienyl radicals, respectively (no addition was observed at the para site); on protonation, as in a sample of PyH+ BF4−, the reactivity follows the positive charge density, being enhanced for addition to the N(H+) position, reduced for the ortho/meta positions, and now conferring a significant yield of the para isomer. These results for genuine reactions of hydrogen atoms are discussed in view of studies of radical formation in these materials, made using EPR spectroscopy, when they are exposed to γ‐rays in cryogenic matrices, for which mechanisms involving charge‐neutralization of initial radical ions are proposed. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
High sensitivity of the fluorine NMR signals of difluorovinyl analogs of natural hemin: reconstituted heme proteins and self‐exchange electron transfer in model compounds
Authors: Poliart Christine , Briand Jean‐Francois , Tortevoie Frédérique , Leroy Jacques , Simonneaux Gérard , Bondon Arnaud
Published: August 2002

The chemical shifts of fluorine in difluorovinyl deuteroporphyrin iron complexes were shown to be very sensitive to the spin state of the metal and the nature of the ligand(s). Reconstituted myoglobin was used as a model heme protein with an exchangeable heme. Large variations in the fluorine chemical shifts in both the ferric and ferrous states were observed. This strong sensitivity to the nature of the metal ligand and the structural resemblance to natural hemin make this fluorinated porphyrin a good probe for the study of heme proteins. The large variations of chemical shifts depending on the oxidation state also permitted the measurement of the electron self‐exchange rate constants of bis(1‐methylimidazole)iron complexes in various solvents by analysis of line broadening of the 19F NMR signals. The experimental rate constants were strongly affected by the nature of the solvent, varying from 3.9 × 107 to 24.1 × 108 mol l−1 s−1 for DMSO‐d6 and acetone‐d6, respectively. The solvent parameters were used to estimate the outer‐sphere reorganization energies. The experimental rate constants in chloroform and in DMSO are in good agreement with these calculated outer‐sphere reorganization energies. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Dependence of the long‐range phosphorus–hydrogen coupling constant nJP–H (n = 3,6,7) on the bond order between phosphorus and its substituents: preparation and spectroscopic characterization of several phosphoramidates
Authors: Gholivand Khodayar , Ghadimi Said , Naderimanesh Hossein , Forouzanfar Akbar
Published: August 2002

The examination of spectra of a selected series of phosphoramidates showed that, in addition to a double bond, whenever there are one or two partial multiple bonds in the molecule the long‐range coupling constant, such as 6JP–H, 7JP–H and 3JP–H, either disappears or at least reduces. In particular, the experimental data indicate the unexpected effect of a partial multiple bond between phosphorus and fluorine in 7JP–H and 3JP–H. The preparation of the compounds p‐CH3C6H4NHP(O)Cl2 (II), p‐CH3C6H4NHP(O)(Cl)OC6H4CH3‐p (XIV), m‐CH3C6H4NHP(O)(Cl)OC6H4CH3‐p (XV), m‐CH3C6H4NHP(O)(Cl)OC6H4CH3‐m (XVI) and the rigid molecule CH3C6H3(NH)2P(O)Cl (XVII) are described and they are characterized by 1H, 13C, 31P NMR, IR spectroscopy and elemental analysis. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Transgenic pigs expressing human decay‐accelerating factor regulated by porcine MCP gene promoter
Authors: Murakami Hiroshi , Nagashima Hiroshi , Takahagi Yoichi , Miyagawa Shuji , Fujimura Tatsuya , Toyomura Koji , Nakai Rie , Yamada Mako , Kurihara Takashi , Shigehisa Tamotsu , Okabe Masaru , Seya Tsukasa , Shirakura Ryota , Kinoshita Taroh
Published: August 2002

Porcine membrane cofactor protein (pMCP) is abundantly expressed throughout the body with particularly strong expression on the vascular endothelia. Previous studies demonstrated that the promoter of the pMCP gene induced efficient expression of a human complement regulatory protein, decay‐accelerating factor (DAF; CD55), in transgenic mice. In the present study, we tried to produce transgenic pigs with two hybrid genes, 0.9/hDAF and 5.4/hDAF, which were composed of human DAF (hDAF) gene regulated under pMCP promoters of different lengths (0.9 and 5.4 kb). Five live founder transgenic pigs were obtained only with the 0.9/hDAF construct. Although, four founder pigs transmitted the transgene to the second generation, the transmission rates varied among founders. We examined the expression of hDAF in tissues of descendants of two lines (Dm1 and Dm4). Human DAF specific RNAs were confirmed by an RT‐PCR analysis in all organs examined. Levels of hDAF protein in the organs from the descendants of Dm1 line were higher than those in the corresponding human organs as determined by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Immunohistochemical studies showed that the tissue distribution of hDAF in the descendants of both lines was similar to that of endogenous pMCP. The expression level of hDAF on the vascular endothelial cells in Dm1 line was twice that on the corresponding human cells. We tested whether proinflammatory cytokines upregulate an efficiency of pMCP promoter on hDAF expression in transgenic pigs. Although the expression of hDAF on the human endothelial cells increased with a combination of cytokines, tumor necrosis factor α and interferon‐γ, no cytokine‐induced upregulation was seen in the cells of transgenic pigs. The endothelial cells from transgenic pigs exhibited high resistance to the human serum‐mediated cytolysis. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 61: 302–311, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Roles of cAMP in regulation of both MAP kinase and p34cdc2 kinase activity during meiotic progression, especially beyond the MI stage
Authors: Shimada Masayuki , Terada Takato
Published: August 2002

Time‐dependent changes in the level of adenosine cyclic AMP (cAMP) in porcine oocytes during meiotic progression from the germinal vesicle stage (GV stage) to the metaphase II stage (MII stage) were examined using reversed‐phase HPLC with UV detection. The concentration of cAMP in oocytes reached a peak at 8 hr of cultivation of cumulus–oocyte complexes (COCs), but it was dramatically decreased after 12‐hr cultivation. After a 28‐hr cultivation period, the level of cAMP in the oocytes had significantly reduced further, and the basal level of cAMP was observed in oocytes cultured at 32 hr and for up to 48 hr. When phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase (PI 3‐kinase) or protein kinase C (PKC) in cumulus cells [which were required for meiotic progression to the MII stage in porcine oocytes (Shimada and Terada, 2001: Biol Reprod 64:1106–1114)] was suppressed by each specific inhibitor following initial 24‐hr cultivation of COCs, cAMP level in the oocytes was significantly increased. After 24‐hr cultivation in the maturation medium, COCs, which were cultured for an additional 24 hr in the presence of either forskolin or 3‐isobutyl‐1‐methylxanthine (IBMX), exhibited a significant increase in the oocyte cAMP level to the similar level of that in oocytes cultured with PI 3‐kinase inhibitor or PKC inhibitor, and the addition of each agent significantly suppressed meiotic progression from the MI to the MII stage and the activity of mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) and p34cdc2 kinase. These results demonstrated that when transported into oocytes from the cumulus cells via gap junctions, cAMP plays an important role not only in meiotic resumption, but also in the regulation of meiotic progression beyond the MI stage in porcine oocytes. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 62: 124‐131, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Parthenogenetic activation and subsequent development of rat oocytes in vitro
Authors: Jiang Jin‐Yi , Mizuno Satoshi , Mizutani Eiji , Sasada Hiroshi , Sato Eimei
Published: August 2002

Studies were undertaken to determine whether electrical stimulation, or ethanol treatment alone or in combination with 6‐dimethylaminopurine (6‐DMAP) influenced the rate of parthenogenetic activation of rat oocytes. The percentages of activated oocytes with pronuclei (89–91%) and those developed to the two‐cell stage (68–72%) were significantly higher after electrical stimulation with direct current (DC) at 100 V/mm, 99 μsec once or twice, than when other DC voltages (75, 150, and 200) were applied or when ethanol or 6‐DMAP treatment was given alone. However, none of the activated oocytes developed beyond the four‐cell stage. The percentages of activated oocytes with pronuclei (100%) that developed to the two‐cell (100%), eight‐cell (89%) and blastocyst stages (50%) were significantly higher when electrical stimulation was followed by treatment with 2 mM 6‐DMAP for 4 hr than when other combined procedures were applied. In conclusion, the results of the present study clearly showed that combined treatment of electrical stimulation or ethanol with 6‐DMAP induces parthenogenetic activation and subsequent development of rat oocytes in vitro. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 61: 120–125, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
In vitro formation of tetraploid rat blastocysts after fusion of two‐cell embryos
Authors: Krivokharchenko Alexander , Galat Vassili , Ganten Detlev , Bader Michael
Published: August 2002

Gene targeting technology is not available in the rat which is an animal model of major importance, e.g., in cardiovascular research. This is due to the fact that the rat embryonic stem cell (ESC)‐like cells established by several groups do not form germ‐line chimeras when injected into blastocysts. In the mouse, the aggregation of ESC with tetraploid embryos has allowed the generation of animals completely derived from these cells. However, aggregation of rat ESC‐like cells with tetraploid rat embryos has not yet been attempted to evaluate their developmental capacity. Therefore, we established a method to produce tetraploid rat embryos by fusion at the two‐cell stage. Chemical fusion by polyethylene glycol (PEG) was shown to be less efficient (56.3% fused embryos) than electrofusion (96.1% fused embryos). The rate of development of fused embryos to blastocysts was independent of the fusion method and similar to the rate of control embryos. However, this rate was lower when the embryos had been cultured from the zygote state before fusion (14–20%) compared to freshly isolated two‐cell embryos (41–63%). Alike for the mouse, blastocysts derived from fused two‐cell rat embryos contained about half the number of cells as control blastocysts and were homogeneously tetraploid with no evidence of mosaicism. This method may be useful for the establishment of gene‐targeting technology in the rat. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 61:460–465, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Paramagnetic Lanthanide(III) complexes as pH‐sensitive chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) contrast agents for MRI applications
Authors: Aime Silvio , Barge Alessandro , Delli Castelli Daniela , Fedeli Franco , Mortillaro Armando , Nielsen Flemming U. , Terreno Enzo
Published: August 2002

The recently introduced new class of contrast agents (CAs) based on chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) may have a huge potential for the development of novel applications in the field of MRI. In this work we explored the CEST properties of a series of Lanthanide(III) complexes (Ln = Eu, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb) with the macrocyclic DOTAM‐Gly ligand, which is the tetraglycineamide derivative of DOTA (1,4,7,10‐tetraazacyclododecane‐1,4,7,10‐tetraacetic acid). These complexes possess two pools of exchangeable protons represented by the coordinated water and the amide protons. Yb‐DOTAM‐Gly displays the most interesting CEST properties when its amide N‐H resonance (16 ppm upfield H2O signal) is irradiated. Up to 70% suppression of the water signal is obtained at pH 8. As the exchange rate of amide protons is base‐catalyzed, Yb‐DOTAM‐Gly results to be an efficient pH‐responsive probe in the 5.5–8.1 pH range. Moreover, a ratiometric method has been set up in order to remove the dependence of the observed pH responsiveness from the absolute concentration of the paramagnetic agent. In fact, the use of a mixture of Eu‐DOTAM‐Gly and Yb‐DOTAM‐Gly, whose exchangeable proton pools are represented by the coordinated water (ca. 40 ppm downfield H2O signal at 312K) and amide protons, respectively, produces a pH‐dependent CEST effect which is the function of the concentration ratio of the two complexes. Magn Reson Med 47:639–648, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
High‐resolution fMRI using multislice partial k‐space GR‐EPI with cubic voxels
Authors: Hyde James S. , Biswal Bharat B. , Jesmanowicz Andrzej
Published: August 2002

The premises of this work are: 1) the limit of spatial resolution in fMRI is determined by anatomy of the microcirculation; 2) because of cortical gray matter tortuosity, fMRI experiments should (in principle) be carried out using cubic voxels; and 3) the noise in fMRI experiments is dominated by low‐frequency BOLD fluctuations that are a consequence of spontaneous neuronal events and are pixel‐wise dependent. A new model is proposed for fMRI contrast which predicts that the contrast‐to‐noise ratio (CNR) tends to be independent of voxel dimensions (in the absence of partial voluming of activated tissue), TE, and scanner bandwidth. These predictions have been tested at 3 T, and results support the model. Scatter plots of fMRI signal intensities and low‐frequency fluctuations for activated pixels in a finger‐tapping paradigm demonstrated a linear relationship between signal and noise that was independent of TE. The R2 value was about 0.9 across eight subjects studied. The CNR tended to be constant across pixels within a subject but varied across subjects: CNR = 3.2 ± 1.0. fMRI statistics at 20‐ and 40‐ms TE values were indistinguishable, and TE values as short as 10 ms were used successfully. Robust fMRI data were obtained across all subjects using 1 × 1 × 1 mm3 cubic voxels with 10 contiguous slices, although 1.5 × 1.5 × 1.5 mm3 was found to be optimum. Magn Reson Med 46:114–125, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Techniques for fast stereoscopic MRI
Authors: Guttman Michael A. , McVeigh Elliot R.
Published: August 2002

Stereoscopic MRI can impart 3D perception with only two image acquisitions. This economy over standard multiplanar 3D volume renderings allows faster frame rates, which are needed for real‐time imaging applications. Real‐time 3D perception may enhance the appreciation of complex anatomical structures, and may improve hand‐eye coordination while manipulating a medical device during an image‐guided interventional procedure. To this goal, a system is being developed to acquire and display stereoscopic MR images in real‐time. A clinically used, fast gradient‐recalled echo‐train sequence has been modified to produce stereo image pairs. Features have been added for depth cueing, view sharing, and bulk signal suppression. A workstation was attached to a clinical MR scanner for fast data extraction, image reconstruction and stereoscopic image display. Magn Reson Med 46:317–323, 2001. Published 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Osmotic effects on the T2 relaxation decay of in vivo muscle
Authors: Gambarota Giulio , Cairns Brian E. , Berde Charles B. , Mulkern Robert V.
Published: August 2002

Saline solutions are commonly employed as a vehicle for drugs administered intramuscularly. In this study, in vivo measurements of spin‐spin relaxation (T2) processes by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were performed to investigate the distribution of water in rat masseter muscle tissue after intramuscular injection of saline solutions of varying tonicity. Prior to saline injection, image‐based T2 relaxation decay of muscle was monoexponential. After injection of saline, the T2 relaxation decay became multiexponential. Non‐negative least squares (NNLS) analysis of the decay curves revealed two relaxation components: a fast component (T2 = 20–40 ms) and a slow component (T2 = 150–400 ms), which are assigned to intra‐ and extracellular water protons, respectively. Injection of hypertonic saline solutions significantly increased the extracellular water component in muscle tissue compared to isotonic saline solutions, an effect which lasted for more than 60 min. These findings suggest that MRI techniques may be useful to investigate the effect of hyper‐ or hypotonic solutions on muscle tissue in vivo. Magn Reson Med 46:592–599, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Extravascular contribution of blood oxygenation level‐dependent signal changes: A numerical analysis based on a vascular network model
Authors: Fujita Norihiko
Published: August 2002

In this study, the extravascular (EV) contribution to blood oxygenation level‐dependent (BOLD) signal changes was evaluated, based on a numerical analysis of the nondimensional Bloch‐Torrey equation for a vascular network model of randomly oriented paramagnetic vessels. From a statistical point of view, the susceptibility‐induced EV BOLD signal changes for both gradient‐ and spin‐echoes are shown to be proportional to cerebral blood volume (CBV). These changes can be expressed by a function of two nondimensional parameters: one represents the characteristic phase change of the signal induced by the deoxyhemoglobin‐containing vessels, and the other represents a diffusion effect relative to the vessel radius. The numerical results showed excellent agreement with the analytical solutions obtained previously for the regimes of small and large diffusion effects. Based on the numerical results for gradient‐ and spin‐echoes, it is possible to show the dependence of the EV BOLD contribution on the echo time, the static magnetic field strength, and the stimulation‐induced CBV change. This dependence can be demonstrated for vessels of small, intermediate, and large radii, which correspond respectively to the slow, intermediate, and fast diffusion regimes. A more realistic functional MRI (fMRI) simulation which includes an intravascular (IV) contribution is presented, with emphasis on the field strength dependence of the BOLD signal changes. Magn Reson Med 46:723–734, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
In vivo magnetic resonance microscopy of rat spinal cord at 7 T using implantable RF coils
Authors: Bilgen Mehmet , Elshafiey Ibrahim , Narayana Ponnada A.
Published: August 2002

An inductively coupled implanted coil was designed for high‐resolution magnetic resonance (MR) studies of rat spinal cord (SC) in vivo at 7 T. The practical issues involved in implementation of the coil at high fields are discussed, and the adjustment of various parameters for optimizing coil performance are described. The utility of the coil was demonstrated with anatomical, magnetization transfer, diffusion tensor imaging, and proton MR spectroscopy (MRS). Magn Reson Med 46:1250–1253, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Topodiagnostic value of blink reflex R1 changes: A digital postprocessing MRI correlation study
Authors: Marx Juergen J. , Thoemke Frank , Fitzek Sabine , Vucurevic Goran , Fitzek Clemens , Mika‐Gruettner Annette , Urban Peter P. , Stoeter Peter , Hopf Hanns C.
Published: August 2002

The aim of the study was to investigate the relation of the blink reflex R1 arc to known anatomical brainstem structures. Acute vascular brainstem lesions as identified by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of patients with isolated R1 pathology were superimposed into a stereotactic anatomical atlas using a new method of digital postprocessing. Isolated acute brainstem lesions were documented by diffusion‐weighted MRI in 12 of 24 patients with unilateral R1 pathology. The lesions were located in the ipsilateral mid‐ to lower pons. In three patients only, the lesion had partial contact with the principal sensory nucleus of the trigeminal nerve (PSN) on at least one level. In two patients, the lesion involved the medial longitudinal fasciculus. Most lesions were located medially and ventrally to the PSN on transverse slices. Our results underline the high localizing value of changes in the R1 component of the blink reflex in patients with ipsilateral pontine functional deficits. Although available physiological evidence suggests that the R1 component of the blink reflex traverses an oligosynaptic pathway, this MRI study does not support the view that synaptic transmission in the PSN subserves R1. The reflex arc probably descends more medially and ventrally on its course to the facial nucleus. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Muscle Nerve 24: 1327–1331, 2001
Relation between in vivo and in vitro measurements of skeletal muscle oxidative metabolism
Authors: Larson‐Meyer D. Enette , Newcomer Bradley R. , Hunter Gary R. , Joanisse Denis R. , Weinsier Roland L. , Bamman Marcas M.
Published: August 2002

The relationships between in vivo 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) and in vitro markers of oxidative capacity (mitochondrial function) were determined in 27 women with varying levels of physical fitness. Following 90‐s isometric plantar flexion exercises, calf muscle mitochondrial function was determined from the phosphocreatine (PCr) recovery time constant, the adenosine diphosphate (ADP) recovery time constant, the rate of change of PCr during the initial 14 s of recovery, and the apparent maximum rate of oxidative adenosine triphosphate (ATP) synthesis (Qmax). Muscle fiber type distribution (I, IIa, IIx), citrate synthase (CS) activity, and cytochrome c oxidase (COX) activity were determined from a biopsy sample of lateral gastrocnemius. MRS markers of mitochondrial function correlated moderately (P < 0.05) with the percentage of type IIa oxidative fibers (r = 0.41 to 0.66) and CS activity (r = 0.48 to 0.64), but only weakly with COX activity (r = 0.03 to 0.26, P > 0.05). These results support the use of MRS to determine mitochondrial function in vivo. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Muscle Nerve 24: 1665–1676, 2001
Malnutrition‐induced myopathy following Roux‐en‐Y gastric bypass
Authors: Hsia Amie W. , Hattab Eyas M. , Katz Jonathan S.
Published: August 2002

A 42‐year‐old man developed a myopathy in the setting of malnutrition following Roux‐en‐Y gastric bypass for the treatment of morbid obesity. No specific vitamin or electrolyte deficiency was identified. Muscle biopsy revealed type II fiber atrophy. He recovered after the initiation of continuous enteral feeding. We suggest that malnutrition was the underlying cause of his myopathy. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Muscle Nerve 24: 1692–1694, 2001
Role of sorbitol in the up‐regulation of urinary bladder M2 muscarinic receptors in streptozotocin‐induced diabetic rats
Authors: Tong Yat‐Ching , Chin Wan‐Tai , Cheng Juei‐Tang
Published: August 2002

This study investigated the role of sorbitol, a metabolic product of glucose, in the pathogenesis of rat diabetic cystopathy. Three‐month‐old male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: 1) normal controls; 2) rats rendered diabetic by streptozotocin; 3) rats fed with glucose; and 4) rats injected with sorbitol. The M2 muscarinic receptor (M2‐mAChR) protein and mRNA densities of the bladder tissue were measured by Western immunoblot and Northern blot, respectively. The streptozotocin‐induced diabetic rats were then treated with ONO‐2235, an aldose reductase inhibitor. The bladder M2‐mAChR protein and mRNA were compared between the treated and untreated diabetic rats. The densities of M2‐mAChR protein and mRNA in the bladder tissue were significantly increased in diabetic rats, and rats given either glucose or sorbitol (increases in receptor protein: 27.3 ± 3.3, 19.8 ± 2.3, and 18.0 ± 2.1%; increases in mRNA: 39.6 ± 3.7, 33.1 ± 2.9, and 20.2 ± 2.2%, respectively). When diabetic rats were treated with ONO‐2235, the increases in bladder M2‐mAChR protein and mRNA were significantly alleviated. The findings suggest that sorbitol plays a role in the pathogenesis of diabetic cystopathy in rats rendered diabetic by streptozotocin. Aldose reductase inhibitors may be useful in the treatment and prevention of diabetic cystopathy. Neurourol. Urodynam. 21:154–159, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
An ultra‐short perineal pad‐test for evaluation of female stress urinary incontinence treatment
Authors: Persson Jan , Bergqvist Christina Etén , Wølner‐Hanssen Pål
Published: August 2002

We assessed the reproducibility and feasibility of a rapid perineal pad‐test designed for evaluation of stress urinary incontinence treatment. In an experimental study, we included 34 women with genuine stress incontinence, 13 with urge incontinence and 10 non‐incontinent volunteers for a repeated pad‐test with a standardized bladder volume (300 mL) and a standardized physical activity during one minute. The pad was weighed before and after the exercise to estimate the volume of any leaked urine. In order to find out the percentage of unselected, incontinent women who had been able to perform a preoperative pad‐test, we identified all 120 women operated on for stress incontinence during a one‐year period in a separate retrospective analysis. In another retrospective analysis, we compared the subjective outcome of laparoscopic colposuspension with the outcome of the test performed before and after the procedure among 93 women with genuine stress incontinence. Among stress incontinent women, the median of the differences in leakage between the first and the second test was 8.5 mL (range 0–60 mL) and the repeatability coefficient was 33.6 mL. None of the 13 women with urge incontinence leaked during the tests. One of the 10 controls leaked (during both tests). Of the unselected women, 104/120 (87%) were able to perform the test. Reduction of leaking after surgery was significantly associated with subjective report of outcome (P < 0.0001). In conclusion, the described pad‐test has an acceptable reproducibility and feasibility making it suitable for follow‐up studies. Neurourol. Urodynam. 20:277–285, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Regeneration of detrusor muscle after subtotal cystectomy in the rat: Effects on contractile proteins and bladder mechanics
Authors: Frederiksen Hans , Sjuve Rolf , Arner Anders , Uvelius Bengt
Published: August 2002

The aim of the present study was to determine to what extent adult rats can produce new contracting bladder muscle and to see if such newly formed bladder tissue possesses characteristic mechanical properties or whether the ability to recover mechanically is so pronounced that the prehistory of the bladder is unimportant. Subtotal cystectomy was performed in adult female rats, leading to a pronounced decrease in total bladder weight. At 10 weeks, bladder weight had normalized. The histological appearance of such bladders was similar to that of the controls. Active and passive length–tension relations for the detrusor muscle were determined in controls and up to 10 weeks after surgery. Immediately after surgery active and passive forces showed a leftward shift and maximum active force decreased markedly. With time the length–tension curves shifted back to normal, but a decreased active force still remained at 10 weeks. Detrusor actin concentration and detrusor myosin/actin ratio were unaffected by the subtotal cystectomy. Intermediate filament protein/actin ratio showed a significant but transitory increase. We conclude that there is a remarkable recovery of detrusor muscle function after subtotal cystectomy, leading to a normalization of optimum length for active force and a net synthesis of contractile and cytoskeletal proteins. The ability to produce active force does, however, not fully recover. Neurourol. Urodynam. 20:685–697, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.