bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The microcell hybrid‐based “elimination test” identifies a 1‐Mb putative tumor‐suppressor region at 3p22.2–p22.1 centromeric to the homozygous deletion region detected in lung cancer
Authors: Kholodnyuk Irina D. , Kost‐Alimova Marija , Yang Ying , Kiss Hajnalka , Fedorova Ludmila , Klein George , Imreh Stefan
Published: August 2002

We have previously shown that inoculation of human chromosome 3 (chr3)/A9 mouse fibrosarcoma microcell hybrids (MCHs) into severely combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice was followed by the regular elimination of certain 3p regions, whereas a 3q region was retained even after prolonged mouse passage. Using this approach, referred to as the elimination test (Et), we identified a common eliminated region (CER) of about 7 cM at 3p22–p21.3 that was absent in all tumors generated from five MCHs. A second frequently eliminated region (FER, originally called ER2) was found at 3p21.1–p14.2. These segments have been reported to be frequently deleted in a variety of carcinomas. In the following experiments, we have identified at the centromeric border of CER a common eliminated region 1 (CER1) of about 1.6 cM. We now report the results of more detailed analyses of the original tumor panel that contained 30 SCID mouse tumors. Using polymerase chain reaction and chromosome reverse painting, we have identified at the telomeric border of CER a second common eliminated region (designated as CER2). CER2 is flanked distally by RH94338 and proximally by SHGC‐154057. The size of CER2 is about 1 Mb, according to the Homo Sapiens Complete Genome databases at EMBL, and is located about 0.5 Mb centromeric to the known homozygous deletion region, identified in lung cancer. Remarkably, two chemokine‐receptor genes (CCRs), CCR8 and CX3CR1, are located within CER2, whereas seven CCRs were found within CER1. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Molecular analysis of a familial case of renal cell cancer and a t(3;6)(q12;q15)
Authors: Eleveld Marc J. , Bodmer Daniëlle , Merkx Gerard , Siepman Angélique , Sprenger Sandra H. E. , Weterman Marian A. J. , Ligtenberg Marjolijn J. , Kamp Jorieke , Stapper Wim , Jeuken Judith W. M. , Smeets Dominique , Smits Arie , Geurts van Kessel Ad
Published: August 2002

We identified a novel familial case of clear‐cell renal cancer and a t(3;6)(q12;q15). Subsequent cytogenetic and molecular analyses showed the presence of several abnormalities within tumour samples obtained from different patients. Loss of the der(3) chromosome was noted in some, but not all, of the samples. A concomitant VHL gene mutation was found in one of the samples. In addition, cytogenetic and molecular evidence for heterogeneity was obtained through analysis of several biopsy samples from one of the tumours. Based on these results and those reported in the literature, we conclude that loss of der(3) and subsequent VHL gene mutation may represent critical steps in the development of renal cell cancers in persons carrying the chromosome 3 translocation. Moreover, preliminary data suggest that other (epi)genetic changes may be related to tumour initiation. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
KNOX homeobox genes are sufficient in maintaining cultured cells in an undifferentiated state in rice
Authors: Ito Yukihiro , Eiguchi Mitsugu , Kurata Nori
Published: August 2002

Summary: We produced transgenic rice calli, which constitutively express each of four KNOX family class 1 homeobox genes of rice, OSH1, OSH16, OSH15, and OSH71, and found that constitutive and ectopic expression of such genes inhibits normal regeneration from transformed calli, which showed continuous growth around their shoot‐regenerating stages. Transgenic calli transferred onto regeneration medium began to display green spots, a sign of regeneration, but most of the transformants continued to propagate green spots at given stages. In the normal shoot‐regeneration process of calli, expression of endogenous OSH1 was restricted in presumptive shoot‐regenerating regions of calli and not observed in other areas. This restricted expression pattern should be required for further differentiation of the regenerating shoots. Thus our present results support the proposed function that KNOX family class 1 homeobox genes play a role in the formation and maintenance of the undetermined meristematic state of cells. genesis 30:231–238, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Score test for detecting linkage to quantitative traits
Authors: Putter H. , Sandkuijl L.A. , van Houwelingen J.C.
Published: August 2002

The two most popular methods to detect linkage of a quantitative trait to a marker are the Haseman‐Elston regression method and the variance components likelihood‐ratio test. In the literature, these methods are frequently compared and the relative advantages and disadvantages of each method are well known. In this article, we derive a score test for the variance component attributable to a specific quantitative trait locus and show that for sib‐pairs it is mathematically equivalent to a recently proposed version of the Haseman‐Elston method that optimally combines the sum squared and the difference squared of the centered phenotype values of the sibs. Because score tests and likelihood‐ratio tetsts are equivalent for large sample sizes, the variance components likelihood‐ratio test is also asymptotically equivalent to this optimal Haseman‐Elston test. This fact gives a theoretical explanation of the empirical observation from simulation studies reporting similar power of the variance components likelihood‐ratio test and the optimal Haseman‐Elston method. Perhaps more importantly for practical purposes, the score test can also be extended in a natural way to support the simultaneous analysis of more than two subjects and multivariate phenotypes. Genet. Epidemiol. 22:345–355, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Multipoint analysis using affected sib pairs: Incorporating linkage evidence from unlinked regions
Authors: Liang Kung‐Yee , Chiu Yen‐Feng , Beaty Terri H. , Wjst Matthias
Published: August 2002

In this paper, we proposed a multipoint method to assess evidence of linkage to one region by incorporating linkage evidence from another region. This approach uses affected sib pairs in which the number of alleles shared identical by descent (IBD) is the primary statistic. This generalized estimating equation (GEE) approach is robust in that no assumption about the mode of inheritance is required, other than assuming the two regions being considered are unlinked and that there is no more than one susceptibility gene in each region. The method proposed here uses data from all available families to simultaneously test the hypothesis of statistical interaction between regions and to estimate the location of the susceptibility gene in the target region. As an illustration, we have applied this GEE method to an asthma sib pair study (Wjst et al. [1999] Genomics 58:1–8), which earlier reported evidence of linkage to chromosome 6 but showed no evidence for chromosome 20. Our results yield strong evidence to chromosome 20 (P value = 0.0001) after incorporating linkage information from chromosome 6. Furthermore, it estimates with 95% certainty that the map location of the susceptibility gene is flanked by markers D20S186 and D20S101, which are approximately 16.3 cM apart. Genet. Epidemiol. 21:105–122, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A study comparing precision of the maximum multipoint heterogeneity LOD statistic to three model‐free multipoint linkage methods
Authors: Finch Stephen J. , Chen Chien‐Hsiun , Gordon Derek , Mendell Nancy R.
Published: August 2002

This study compared the performance of the maximum lod (MLOD), maximum heterogeneity lod (MHLOD), maximum non‐parametric linkage score (MNPL), maximum Kong and Cox linear extension (MKClin) of NPL, and maximum Kong and Cox exponential extension (MKCexp) of NPL as calculated in Genehunter 1.2 and Genehunter‐Plus. Our performance measure was the distance between the marker with maximum value for each linkage statistic and the trait locus. We performed a simulation study considering: 1) four modes of transmission, 2) 100 replicates for each model, 3) 58 pedigrees (with 592 subjects) per replicate, 4) three linked marker loci each having three equally frequent alleles, and 5) either 0% unlinked families (linkage homogeneity) or 50% unlinked families (linkage heterogeneity). For each replicate, we obtained the Haldane map position of the location at which each of the five statistics is maximized. The MLOD and MHLOD were obtained by maximizing over penetrances, phenocopy rate, and risk‐allele frequencies. For the models simulated, MHLOD appeared to be the best statistic both in terms of identifying a marker locus having the smallest mean distance from the trait locus and in terms of the strongest negative correlation between maximum linkage statistic and distance of the identified position and the trait locus. The marker loci with maximum value of the Kong and Cox extensions of the NPL statistic also were closer to the trait locus than the marker locus with maximum value of the NPL statistic. Genet. Epidemiol. 21:315–325, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Geochemical correlations between effusive and explosive silicic volcanics in the Saraykent region (Yozgat), central Anatolia, Turkey
Authors: Gençalioğlu‐Kuşcu Gonca , Floyd Peter A.
Published: August 2002

Two main volcanic events are distinguished between Saraykent and Akçakışla in the Yozgat province of central Anatolia: (1) early Late Cretaceous–Palaeocene effusive activity, that produced a sequence of intermediate to felsic ‘basal lavas’; and (2) marginally later Palaeocene explosive activity that formed a series of covering ignimbrite flows. Due to their close temporal and spatial relation, geochemical comparisons were made between the silicic members of the lavas and ignimbrites, to identify chemical groups and their relative petrogenesis.

The basal lavas range from calc‐alkaline basaltic andesites to dominant rhyolites. Based on trace element correlations three main geochemical groups were identified: the Akçakışla rhyolites (present as domes); Akçakışla rhyodacites‐dacites (lava flows); and Ozan‐Saraykent rhyolites (lava flows). Large‐ion lithophile elements have been mobile in all the groups, but mainly in the Akçakışla rhyolites. Rare earth element (REE) patterns show marked similarity between the Ozan and Saraykent basal lavas. The Akçakışla dome rhyolites are more fractionated with lower LaN/YbN ratios (c.10), whereas the Akçakışla basal lavas have much higher LaN/YbN ratios (c.30). The chemical coherence and petrographic similarities between the Saraykent and Ozan lavas suggest a single suite related via fractionation.

Three geochemical groups were also established for the ignimbrites: Saraykent ignimbrite; Bağlıca ignimbrite‐Toklu‐Kızıldağ crystal tuffs; and Keklikpınar ignimbrite. The ignimbrites, like the basal lavas, display a pronounced depletion in Ba on ORG‐normalized plots. Relative to the basal lavas, chondrite‐normalized patterns for the ignimbrites are different in displaying negative Eu anomalies that indicate feldspar fractionation. The lack of geochemical overlap or coherence between any of the lava and ignimbrite groups suggests that they represent distinct eruptive events and are not related in any simple volcanic development and cogenetic sense.

Two geochemical features are common to all the volcanic rock groups: (1) the presence of a Nb‐Ta anomaly, which is generally accepted as a crustal signature; and (2) the relatively low Y abundances which appear characteristic for the region as a whole. These fundamental features of the local silicic volcanism largely reflect source composition and effects. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Types of nursing home residents with self‐destructive behaviours: analysis of the Harmful Behaviours Scale
Authors: Draper Brian , Brodaty Henry , Low Lee‐Fay
Published: August 2002

Objective

To investigate the types of self‐destructive behaviours identified by the Harmful Behaviours Scale (HBS) and the variables associated with them.

Method

A cross sectional survey involving 647 residents in 11 nursing homes in the eastern suburbs of Sydney, Australia. The following instruments were used: Harmful Behaviours Scale (HBS); Behavioural Pathology in Alzheimer's Disease Rating Scale; Functional Assessment Staging Scale; Resident Classification Index; Health of the Nation Outcome Scale; Even Briefer Assessment Scales for Depression; Abbreviated Mental Test Scale; and the suicide item from the Structured Hamilton Depression Rating Scale. Diagnosis of dementia was obtained from nursing home records.

Results

Latent class analysis of the HBS identified four groups of residents, described as ‘aggressive resistant’ (34.9%), ‘food refusal’ (26.8%), ‘behaviourally disturbed’ (5.4%) and a ‘non‐symptomatic’ group (33.0%) with little self‐destructive behaviour. The behaviourally disturbed group engages in a widespread combination of direct and indirect self‐destructive behaviours and displays other behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia. In contrast, the food refusal group whose only behavioural symptom was refusal to eat and drink had the most cognitive impairment and did not show higher levels depression or suicidal ideation.

Conclusions

We have found three groups of residents with self‐destructive behaviours and each group is associated with a different pattern of variables. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Facile synthesis of 3‐spiroindolines
Authors: Allam Yehia A. , Nawwar Galal A. M.
Published: August 2002

Cyanoacetyldiazoindol‐2‐one (3), the condensation product of cyanoacetohydrazide with isatin (1), could be cyclized in acidic medium via its CN group and its enolic OH to give cyanomethyloxadiazole‐spiroindoline (4). The presence of the methylcyano side chain could be invested—through oximation, diazotization, or condensation with aldehydes—to form polyfunctional spiroindolines 5, 8–10. Also, a second route for preparing the title compound could be achieved through a nucleophilic attack on position 3 in the isatin derivatives, followed by subsequent ring closure to give 6 and 7. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 13:207–210, 2002; Published online in Wiley Interscience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/hc.10020
Phenylhydrazine–borane adduct—characterized in the solid state and in solution
Authors: Wrackmeyer Bernd , Giumanini Angelo G. , Gambi Alberto , Verardo Giancarlo , Gilli Gastone , Bertolasi Valerio
Published: August 2002

The 1:1 phenylhydrazine–borane adduct, obtained from phenylhydrazine and sodium borohydride in acidic solution, was investigated by IR, NMR spectroscopy, and MS spectrometry. Ab initio MO calculations indicated the isomer in which the boron center is attached to the primary amino group as the more stable. This forecast was confirmed by solution‐state 1H, 11B, 13C, and 15N NMR spectroscopy, in agreement with the molecular structure in the solid state determined by X‐ray analysis. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 13:366–372, 2002; Published online in Wiley Interscience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/hc.10049
Solid‐state conformation of the 1,3,2‐oxazaphospholane ring in 2‐dialkylamino‐3,4‐dimethyl‐5‐phenyl‐1,3,2‐oxazaphospholane sulfides
Authors: Kruszynski Rafal , Bartczak Tadeusz J. , Majewski Piotr
Published: August 2002

Dialkylamino‐3,4‐dimethyl‐5‐phenyl‐1,3,2‐oxazaphospholane sulfides (where the alkyl is an isopropyl, ethyl or methyl group) was obtained by sulfurization of the respective phospholanes. The structures of these compounds were determined by X‐ray crystal structure analysis. Five‐membered rings exist in the envelope conformation in the crystalline state. The planar part of the 1,3,2‐oxazaphospholane rings undergoes twisting with the enlargement of a substituent. The environment of the P atom has the geometry of a distorted tetrahedron. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 12:146–150, 2001
Synthesis of spiro[3,4‐diaryl‐4,5‐dihydroisoxazole‐5,2′‐1′,2′,3′,4‐tetrahydro‐1′‐naphthalenone]
Authors: Manikandan Santhanaraman , Shanmugasundaram Muthian , Raghunathan Raghavachary
Published: August 2002

Synthesis of a series of novel spiro[3,4‐diaryl‐4,5‐dihydroisoxazole‐5,2′‐1′,2′,3′,4′‐tetrahydro‐1′‐naphthalenone] has been described by the regioselective cycloaddition of nitrile oxides with 2‐arylmethylene‐1,2,3,4‐tetrahydro‐1‐naphthalenone. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 12:463–467, 2001
Can flow cytometrically determined DNA ploidy and S‐phase fraction predict regional metastasis in squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity?
Authors: Oya Ryoichi , Ikemura Kunio
Published: August 2002

Background

The value of flow cytometric analysis of DNA ploidy and S‐phase fraction (SPF) as an indicator of regional metastasis in oral cancer is currently being debated. Intratumoral heterogeneity makes this problem complex.

Methods

Intratumoral DNA ploidy heterogeneity and intratumoral SPF variation were examined using multiple specimens from 31 surgically resected specimens taken from patients with oral cancer without preoperative therapy. Flow cytometric analysis of single biopsy specimens from 79 patients with oral cancer was also undertaken to ascertain their value as indicators of regional metastasis.

Results

Forty‐five percent (14 of 31) of tumors showed intratumoral ploidy heterogeneity. Intratumoral SPF variation in the 31 tumors ranged from 0.2% to 6.9% (mean, 3.3%). Multivariate analysis showed that a SPF greater than 27% was the most important parameter for predicting regional metastasis.

Conclusions

DNA ploidy is heterogeneous within a tumor, whereas SPF is relatively stable and can be correlated with regional metastasis in oral cancer. © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
The usefulness of cytodiagnosis and DNA cytometry on nasopharyngeal brush smears for the diagnosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Authors: Chen Mao‐huai , Chang Alexander R. , Lo Shik‐yuen
Published: August 2002

Background

To assess the usefulness of combining cytodiagnosis and DNA cytometry on nasopharyngeal brush samples for the detection of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).

Methods

DNA ploidy analysis was undertaken on 66 nasopharyngeal brush samples that had been previously evaluated cytologically.

Results

Cytodiagnosis and ploidy analysis demonstrated a sensitivity of 66% and 55%, respectively. Both techniques had a specificity of 100% for NPC cases that were histologically confirmed. The negative predictive values for cytodiagnosis and ploidy analysis were 29% and 24%, respectively.

Conclusions

The sensitivity and specificity for cytodiagnosis were not improved by the addition of DNA ploidy analysis. Furthermore, combining the two techniques did not confer any significant advantage compared with the use of cytology and DNA ploidy alone. The relatively low negative predictive values are a significant limitation, and combining cytodiagnosis and ploidy analysis on nasopharyngeal brush samples cannot be recommended for the detection of NPC. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 24: 223–227, 2002; DOI 10.1002/hed.10022
The effects of multitasking on quality inspection in advanced manufacturing systems
Authors: Pesante Jose A. , Williges Robert C. , Woldstad Jeffrey C.
Published: August 2002

Although the industrial quality inspection task has been extensively studied, the effect of multitasking on the performance of the operator in a hybrid inspection system is still unknown. The experiment described in this article compared the quality inspection performance for participants performing a single task, 3 multiple tasks, and 5 multiple tasks. The results of this research indicate that the performance of the operator in the quality inspection task while multitasking in an advanced manufacturing system will be determined by the interaction between the number of different types of defects that can be presented at the same time in the inspected parts and multitasking. The best performance will be obtained when the load created by additional tasks minimizes the monotony of the quality inspection task without interfering with the processing resources needed for the memorized quality criteria. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Financing indicators for health care decentralization in Latin America: information and suggestions for health planning
Authors: Arredondo Armando , Parada Irene
Published: August 2002

This article presents the results from an evaluative longitudinal study with before–after design. The main objective was to determine the effects of health care decentralization on changes in health financing. Taking into account feasibility, political and technical criteria, three Latin American countries were selected as study populations: Mexico, Nicaragua and Peru. The methodology had two main phases. In the first phase, the study referred to secondary sources of data and documents to obtain information about the following variables: type of decentralization implemented, source of finance, funds of financing, providers, final use of resources and mechanisms for resource allocation. In the second phase, the study referred to primary data collected in a survey of key personnel from the health sectors of each country. Taking into account the changes implemented in the three countries, as well as the strengths and weaknesses of each country in financing and decentralization, a rule for decision‐making is proposed that attempts to identify the main financial changes implemented in each country and the basic indicators that can be used in future years to direct the planning, assessment, adjustment and correction of health financing and decentralization. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A study on separation behavior of press‐molded glassware from a thermal engineering viewpoint: Correlation of separation forces to the interface temperature between the mold and the glass
Authors: Wakatsuki Hiroshi , Satoh Isao
Published: August 2002

This paper deals with the separation behavior of a press‐molded glassware from the pressing mold surface. Since the separation of the glass from a mold surface affects the transcription of the glass shape from the mold, it is desirable to control the separation behavior in the practical press‐molding of glassware. The separation or sticking of the glass is mainly influenced by thermal pressing conditions in practical molding. Hence, separation forces during the demolding process between glass and mold were measured under various pressing conditions. The results show that, under certain conditions, the glass sticks on the pressing surface of the mold even after the mold is removed from the pressed glass, and that the separation (sticking) force increases with rising initial temperature of glass and mold, increasing the pressing pressure, and with elongation of pressing duration. In order to interpret the obtained results, the separation forces were correlated to the interface temperature between glass and mold at the end of the pressing process. The correlation shows that the sticking force becomes evident when the interface temperature exceeds a certain temperature. Under the experimental conditions, the threshold temperature was about 660 °C, and was slightly lower than the “softening temperature” of the glass used. From the results, it is concluded that the separation behavior of a press‐molded glassware is dominated by the interface temperature between glass and mold at the end of the pressing process. © 2001 Scripta Technica, Heat Trans Asian Res, 30(8): 660–675, 2001
Effects of an unsteady thermal boundary condition on forced convection heat transfer
Authors: Momose Kazunari , Kimoto Hideo
Published: August 2002

A numerical analysis based on adjoint formulation of unsteady forced convection heat transfer is proposed to generally evaluate effects of the thermal boundary condition on the heat transfer characteristics. A numerical solution of the adjoint problem enables us to predict the heat transfer characteristics, such as the total heat transfer rate or the temperature at a specific location, when the thermal boundary conditions change arbitrarily with time. Moreover, using the numerical solution of the adjoint problem, we can obtain the optimal thermal boundary conditions in both time and space to maximize the heat transfer at any arbitrary time. Numerical solutions of the adjoint problem in a lid‐driven cavity are presented to illustrate the capability of the present method. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heat Trans Asian Res, 31(3): 237–247, 2002; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/htj.10032
Observations of acetone pool boiling behavior under pulsed laser heating
Authors: Jin Ren‐Xi , Liu Deng‐Ying , Hua Shun‐Fang , Zhang Zheng‐Fang , Zhang Chang‐Mei
Published: August 2002

The variations of temperature on the surface of a specimen and acetone pool boiling behavior under pulsed laser heating are observed transiently. The effects of laser parameters and tiny metal grains on the temperature of the specimen's surface for acetone pool boiling are studied. It is seen that the pulse duration is the main factor that affects the temperature curve and vapor bubble behavior. When the pulse duration increases, the growth time of large vapor bubbles and their departure diameters decrease, but the growth velocity changes little. The growth velocity of large vapor bubbles is different from that under normal conditions. The period of isothermal growth was not observed, and the growth velocity rises quickly long after the laser pulse. The process of pool boiling turns vehement when the specimen surface is overlain with tiny metal grains. There are a great number of tiny vapor bubbles continuously generated long after the laser pulse, and the tiny vapor bubble's departure diameter is much less than the value calculated by the classical Fritz formula. © 2001 Scripta Technica, Heat Trans Asian Res, 30(4): 259–266, 2001
Intra‐hemispheric dynamics in infant encoding of coloured facial patterns
Authors: Catherwood Di , Freiberg Kate , Green Vanessa , Holt Chris
Published: August 2002

Colour and facial configuration are both very salient aspects of the visual environment for infants, but may both be selectively processed by the right hemisphere (RHS) and under some conditions may compete for RHS resources. The present investigation assessed the relative potency of facial configuration and colour in the two halves of the visual field for 32 infants (with a mean age of 24 weeks). The infants were familiarized to triads of facial figures presented for 250 ms in the left or right visual field. The faces were all different in colour and facial pattern (expression), but one of them (the target) was shown in an upright orientation while the others (distractors) were inverted. The results of paired‐comparison recognition tests indicated that the displays had been initially parsed in terms of configurational category (upright faces versus inverted non‐faces) in both visual fields, attesting to the primacy of this categorical distinction in both hemispheres. However, the focus for subsequent encoding reflected marked hemispheric discrepancies, with a left visual field (RHS) bias to target colour (comprising the first evidence of this for infants) and a contrary right visual field [left hemisphere (LHS)] advantage for distractor pattern. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Familial aggregation of urothelial cell carcinoma
Authors: Aben Katja K.H. , Witjes J. Alfred , Schoenberg Mark P. , Hulsbergen‐van de Kaa Christina , Verbeek André L.M. , Kiemeney Lambertus A.L.M.
Published: August 2002

Urothelial cell carcinoma (UCC) is not considered to be a familial disease. Familial clustering of UCC was described in several case reports, however, some with an extremely early age at onset suggesting a genetic component. Epidemiological studies yielded inconsistent evidence of familial UCC, possibly because of low power and the inability to adjust for strong confounding. In our study the existence of a familial subtype of UCC was evaluated, as well as familial clustering of UCC with other types of cancer. A population‐based family case‐control study was performed including patients newly diagnosed with UCC of the bladder, ureter, renal pelvis or urethra, between January 1995 and December 1997, in the southeastern part of the Netherlands. Information on the patients' first‐degree relatives was collected by postal questionnaire and subsequent telephone calls. The patients' partners filled out a similar questionnaire on their relatives. All reported occurrences of UCC were verified using medical records. Disease occurrence among case‐relatives and control‐relatives was compared to obtain the familial risk. Random effect proportional hazards regression analyses were used to calculate this familial risk while adjusting for age, gender and smoking behavior. In 95 families of the 1,193 patients and in 36 families of the 853 partners at least 1 relative was diagnosed with UCC. This yielded an adjusted hazard ratio (HR) of 1.8 (95% CI: 1.3–2.7). An increased risk was also found for cancer of the hematolymphopoietic system (hazard ration = 1.9, 95% CI: 1.2–3.1) among case‐relatives. These results indicate that UCC has a familial component with an almost 2‐fold increased risk among first‐degree relatives of patients with UCC, which cannot be explained by smoking. Future segregation analyses may indicate whether this clustering can be attributed to genetic susceptibility. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Market based debt reduction agreements: a case study on Mexican and Polish Brady bonds
Authors: Barbone Luca , Forni Lorenzo
Published: August 2002

This paper analyzes some aspects of the workings of the Brady bond (restructured Less Developed Countries debt) market. It concentrates on the effects of the December 1994 Mexican crisis on the risk assessment (as measured by the stripped spread) of Poland, another Brady country. The main findings are: (i) over the sample period, the unit root hypothesis on the risk premium (measured by the stripped spread) of Mexico and Poland cannot be rejected; this is consistent with the idea that the risk premium reflects new information accruing to the market; (ii) comovements in stripped spreads between Mexico and Poland were stronger during the period of the Peso crisis: we do not reject the null of cointegration for the year that includes the crisis (July 1994–July 1995), but we do reject the null for the year starting 6 months after the crisis (July 1995–July 1996); (iii) the crisis has had a strong permanent effect on the risk assessment of Mexico with respect to the one of Poland (550 basis points circa). Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Constrained total least‐squares computations for high‐resolution image reconstruction with multisensors
Authors: Ng Michael K. , Koo Jaehoon , Bose N. K.
Published: August 2002

Multiple undersampled images of a scene are often obtained by using a charge‐coupled device (CCD) detector array of sensors that are shifted relative to each other by subpixel displacements. This geometry of sensors, where each sensor has a subarray of sensing elements of suitable size, has been popular in the task of attaining spatial resolution enhancement from the acquired low‐resolution degraded images that comprise the set of observations. With the objective of improving the performance of the signal processing algorithms in the presence of the ubiquitous perturbation errors of displacements around the ideal subpixel locations (because of imperfections in fabrication), in addition to noisy observation, the errors‐in‐variables or the total least‐squares method is used in this paper. A regularized constrained total least‐squares (RCTLS) solution to the problem is given, which requires the minimization of a nonconvex and nonlinear cost functional. Simulations indicate that the choice of the regularization parameter influences significantly the quality of the solution. The L‐curve method is used to select the theoretically optimum value of the regularization parameter instead of the unsound but expedient trial‐and‐error approach. The expected superiority of this RCTLS approach over the conventional least‐squares theory‐based algorithm is substantiated by example. © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Imaging Syst Technol 12, 35–42, 2002
Intensity‐based image matching for regular firearms
Authors: Murthy S.S. , Mazumdar C. , Rao M.S. , Pal A.K.
Published: August 2002

This paper reports the digitized image matching of intensity‐based signals generated by the POLIVIEW imaging system for regular firearms. The POLIVIEW imaging system transforms nonlinearized models into linearized models by applying a differential matching method. This paper also discusses the performance of the computer program for determining the peaks of the histograms generated and their threshold segmentation for matching. This method can be used to generate corroborative evidence in solving crimes. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Imaging Syst Technol 12, 68–72, 2002; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ima.10011
Policy reforms for sustainable irrigation management – a case study of Indonesia
Authors: Oad Ramchand
Published: August 2002

This paper is based on the results of a one‐year study and analysis of irrigated agriculture in Indonesia (1997–98). The overall purpose of the study was to review past policy approaches to irrigation development and management, evaluate their effectiveness, and recommend options for the future. The results show that in spite of large government expenditures in irrigation development, crop productivity (cropping intensity and yields) has remained stagnant through the 1990s. The financial and political crises of 1998 have further led to mass poverty, especially in rural Indonesia. The paper concludes that the Indonesian policy makers must once again restore high‐quality rural growth by promoting sustainable uses of land and water resources. It suggests appropriate policy reforms and programs that can promote the desired productivity of irrigated agriculture in Indonesia. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Compensation of irrigation professionals: three Asian irrigation agencies12
Authors: Kikuchi Masao , Merrey Douglas J. , Dassenaike Lalith
Published: August 2002

This paper analyzes trends in the level of compensation of irrigation engineers in three irrigation agencies in three countries, Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan. The paper tries to relate these trends to the performance of the agencies, to understand promotion policies and their relationship to performance and compensation, and to compare the current level of irrigation engineers' compensation to that in other professions. In the Philippines and Sri Lanka, irrigation engineers' compensation has declined continuously, reaching a 1995 low that is one‐half of what they received in 1965 in real terms. Irrigation engineers' compensation in these countries was also considerably less than for engineers working in private firms and even in other government agencies. In contrast, irrigation engineers in one Pakistani agency have enjoyed a significant increase in their compensation, largely because of the high level of benefits. Trends in the performance of the three agencies studied showed a strong positive correlation with the trends in engineers' compensation, suggesting the plausibility of a relationship but not proving it. The crudeness of the data and the analysis is such that no causal relationship is established, but there is a plausible case that compensation of irrigation professionals needs to be increased as part of a program to increase irrigation agency performance in developing countries. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Expression of cytochrome p‐450s and glutathione s‐transferases in the rat liver during water deprivation: effects of glucose supplementation
Authors: Kim Sang Geon , Kim Eun Jung , Kim Yoon Gyoon , Lee Myung Gull
Published: August 2002

Pharmacokinetic profiles of therapeutic agents change in dehydrated animals. The present study was designed to determine the expression of xenobiotic‐metabolizing enzymes in the rat liver and the effect of glucose supplementation during water deprivation.

Deprivation of water intake, which reduced food intake, resulted in no significant change in the cytochrome P‐450 1A2, 2B1/2, 2C11 and 3A1/2 expression. Cytochrome P‐450 2E1, however, was three‐fold induced with an increase in the mRNA. Rehydration of 48‐h water‐deprived rats for the next 24 h with free access to foods restored the P‐450 2E1 level to that of the control, although rehydration with 20% food supply failed to normalize the P‐450 2E1 expression. Water deprivation caused a reduction in the plasma insulin level, which was prevented by rehydration with a sufficient food supply. The plasma insulin level was inversely related to the P‐450 2E1 expression. Glucose feeding instead of foods during dehydration prevented P‐450 2E1 induction in the absence of recovering the plasma insulin level. Western blot analysis revealed that the hepatic rGSTA2 level was 30% decreased in dehydrated rats, whereas the rGSTA3, M1 and M2 expression was not affected. Suppression of rGSTA2 accompanied a reduction in the mRNA. Glucose feeding further reduced rGSTA2 expression.

The data indicated that expression of major P‐450s and glutathione S‐transferases, except P‐450 2E1, was not greatly affected by water deprivation and that the P‐450 2E1 induction and a decrease in plasma insulin resulted from the reduction in food intake but not from dehydration per se. Glucose supplementation restored P‐450 2E1 expression but further suppressed rGSTA2 expression during water deprivation. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein‐2 promotes osteogenesis within atelopeptide type I collagen solution by combination with rat cultured marrow cells
Authors: Ikeuchi Masako , Dohi Yoshiko , Horiuchi Katsuhiro , Ohgushi Hajime , Noshi Toshiaki , Yoshikawa Takafumi , Yamamoto Kazuhiko , Sugimura Masahito
Published: August 2002

We evaluated the combination effect of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein‐2 (rhBMP‐2) and cultured rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in atelopeptide type I collagen (AC) solution on osteogenesis in a diffusion chamber (DC) to develop a bone substitute having consistent osteogenic capability for clinical applications. The cultured MSCs were obtained by 10‐day primary culture of fresh bone marrow cells of Fischer rats. We prepared three groups of DCs: AC solution with rhBMP‐2, AC solution with cultured MSCs, and AC solution with rhBMP‐2 and cultured MSCs. The prepared combined solutions were injected into DCs, which were subcutaneously implanted into the backs of syngeneic rats. DCs were harvested after 2, 4, or 8 weeks and analyzed for bone‐forming capability by determining histological and osteoblastic biochemical markers. De novo bone formation was observed both inside and outside of the membrane filter of DCs in the group of AC solution with rhBMP‐2 and cultured MSCs. The alkaline phosphatase activity and osteocalcin content in the group of AC solution with rhBMP‐2 and cultured MSCs were significantly higher than those in the group of AC solution with cultured MSCs at any time. These findings indicate that AC aqueous solution is a useful material not only as a carrier of rhBMP‐2 but also as a cell‐anchorage for differentiation and proliferation of MSCs. Therefore, this study suggests that clinical repairs of bone defects are feasible using injectable AC solution with rhBMP‐2 and cultured MSCs as a bone substitute. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res 60: 61–69, 2002
Improvement of macular function by membrane differential filtration in diabetic retinopathy
Authors: Lüke C. , Widder R.A. , Soudavar F. , Walter P. , Brunner R. , Borberg H.
Published: August 2002

BACKGROUND

Alterations of blood rheology are assumed to substantially contribute to the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy. Membrane differential filtration (MDF) is an extracorporeal treatment which is able to optimize rheological parameters by eliminating high molecular weight proteins and lipoproteins from the blood. The present study was designed to investigate the effects of repetitive MDF on visual function in diabetic retinopathy.

METHODS

11 patients (11 eyes) with nonproliferative or inactive proliferative diabetic retinopathy underwent three treatment cycles during a mean period of 18 weeks. The best corrected visual acuity served as the main parameter of the study. The measurement of visual acuity, visual field, biochemical and rheological parameters was carried out 24 hours pre and post each treatment cycle and at follow up. The mean follow up time was 9 weeks during the post treatment period.

RESULTS

Compared to baseline examination the visual acuity improved stepwise by a mean value of 1.4 lines (p = 0.02) after the last treatment and remained stable at follow up (1.3 lines, p < 0.001). The mean defect of the visual field was reduced by 2.8 dB (p = 0.13) after the treatment period and by 2.5 dB (p = 0.016) at follow up, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Repetitive treatment with membrane differential filtration is able to improve visual function in patients with diabetic retinopathy. The present study suggests that repetitive membrane differential filtration treatment could be a useful adjunct along with laser treatment to influence the clinical course of diabetic maculopathy. J. Clin. Apheresis 16:23–28, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Hemodynamic effects of the different vascular accesses used for double‐filtration plasmapheresis
Authors: Yeh Jiann‐Horng , Chen Wei‐Hung , Chiu Hou‐Chang
Published: August 2002

Systematic investigations of hemodynamic status during double filtration plasmapheresis (DFP) are rare in the literature. To investigate the hemodynamic effects of the vascular access chosen for DFP, variations in blood pressure (BP) and pulse rate (PR) induced acutely by DFP were prospectively analyzed in 46 myasthenia gravis (MG) patients a standard DFP protocol with isovolumetric saline fluid replacement. BP and PR were monitored at 30‐min intervals (baseline, M30, M60, M90, and M120) during the procedures. The patients were randomized into central vein (CV) and peripheral vein (PV) groups based on the vascular access used. Systolic BP (SBP) dropped significantly at M60 (P < 0.05), M90 (P < 0.001), and M120 (P < 0.001) when compared to the baseline level. Symptomatic hypotension was not observed in any of the 46 sessions. SBP values during DFP in the CV group were significantly lower than the PV group's at M60 (93.1 vs. 101.0%, P < 0.05) and marginally lower at M90 (91.2 vs. 97.2%, P = 0.06). There was no significant difference in diastolic BP changes between the two groups. In the CV and PV groups, PR changes during plasmapheresis also differed at M90 (103.4 vs. 94.5%, P < 0.001) and M120 (101.3 vs. 95.0%, P < 0.05). The significantly lower SBP during DFP in the CV group at M60 may be due to the high central vein flow rate and resultant delay in volume replacement. In conclusion, the vascular access selected for DFP plays a role in the pathogenesis of plasmapheresis‐related hypotension. Controlling flow rates may help to prevent hypotension. J. Clin. Apheresis 16:125–129, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Deterioration of gas exchange in patients with severe thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura with respiratory failure during therapeutic plasma exchange
Authors: Kfoury Baz Elizabeth M. , Khatib Mohamad F. , Mahfouz Rami A.R. , Jamaleddine Ghassan W.
Published: August 2002

Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) is a procedure performed on patients suffering from various disorders, including thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP). As we noted a frequent transient deterioration in respiratory function when the procedure was performed on intensive care unit (ICU) patients, we studied retrospectively the incidence of respiratory deterioration during and shortly after TPE and looked for a probable correlation with a change in the white blood cell (WBC) counts. Over a period of 10 months six patients with TTP, five of whom had parenchymal lung disease due to different medical reasons, underwent TPE. The oxygen saturation was measured continuously before, during, and after TPE; additionally, the WBC and differential counts were measured pre‐ and post‐TPE. The ratio of the oxygen saturation by pulse oxymetry (SpO2) to the fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) was calculated before, during and after TPE. In these five patients with lung disorders, there was a consistent trend of a decreasing SpO2/FiO2 quotient during and within 2 h post TPE compared to the pre‐TPE value. The decrease in SpO2/FiO2 range was 0.20–0.89 with an average of 0.56. In the same 5 patients there was an increase in the WBC count in the range of 2.3–19.7 × 109/L with an average increase of 9.3 × 109/L. The percent neutrophils of the total WBC counts also increased following most of the sessions, this increase was in the range of 1–15 % with an average of 7%. The effect of TPE on the SpO2/FiO2 ratio and the correlation to the WBC count and to a possible neutrophil activation has not been previously reported. We postulate that TPE can accentuate respiratory deterioration in patients with TTP who already have acute lung injury. This may be due to the priming and activation of the leukocytes that could lead to the release of cytokines and inflammatory mediators during the procedure. Thus, it is important to be aware of the possible deterioration in respiratory function and gas exchange while administering TPE to patients with pre‐existing parenchymal lung injury. J. Clin. Apheresis. 16:143‐147, 2000. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
International Treasury Management: Understanding the Cost of Capital
Authors: Goldberg Stephen R. , Godwin Joseph H. , Duchac Jonathan E.
Published: August 2002

Cost of capital is an important concept for international treasury management. It plays a key role in
evaluating prospective investments, the firm itself, and the performance of both management and the company. The
authors explain what cost of capital is, how you determine it, and some implications for U.S. multinational
firms. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
New Rules for the Treatment of Stock Options: Caveats for Management
Authors: Sylvestre Jeanne , Hsu Ko
Published: August 2002

Stock options have become an increasingly popular part of compensation packages. But some of the latest rules
for handling them are complex. The authors explain how to navigate these treacherous waters, and list a variety
of caveats you must heed. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
A winner's guide to M&A planning
Authors: Roche Robert P.
Published: August 2002

Some people may be able to accomplish great things without a well‐thought‐out plan. But if
you're not one of them, you need to read this article.The author details some valuable tips for merger
strategy. © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Genetic lesions and perturbation of chromatin architecture: A road to cell transformation
Authors: Chakraborty Soumen , Senyuk Vitalyi , Nucifora Giuseppina
Published: August 2002

Differential gene expression is a rigorously precise procedure that defines the developmental program of cells, tissues, organs, and of the entire organism. The correct execution of this program requires the participation of multiple and complex groups of regulators. In addition to transcription factors, which are key tools in ontogenesis by providing sequential switch of different genes, the structure of the chromatin is a dominant determinant leading to gene expression. Through the novel and insightful work of several investigators, it appears that the architecture of the chromatin spanning the genes can and does influence the efficiency of RNA transcription, and therefore of gene expression. Several new enzymatic complexes have been identified that reversibly modify the chromatin architecture by methylation, phosphorylation, and acetylation of the nucleosomal core proteins. These enzymes are crucial for the proper balance and maintenance of gene expression, and are often the target of mutations and alterations in human cancer. Here, we review briefly the current models proposing how some of these enzymes normally modify the chromatin structure and how their functional disruption leads to inappropriate gene expression and cell transformation. J. Cell. Biochem. 82: 310–325, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.