bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Telemedicine and cardiopulmonary resuscitation: the value of video-link and telephone instruction to a mock bystander
Authors: Atkinson P R T , Bingham J , McNicholl B P , Loane M A , Wootton R
Published: October 2002

We evaluated cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) performed by persons with no previous experience on a resuscitation dummy. Subjects were randomized into four groups, one of which had no instruction. The other three groups were instructed for 3 min in mock CPR by a supervisor using a telephone, a video-link, or directly in person. They were compared with a group which had had previous CPR training. The main outcome measures were the number of correct ventilations, chest compressions and compressions with correct hand position. Video-link instruction was associated with significantly higher median scores for all three outcome measurements (P<0.05), whereas telephone instruction and previous CPR training were associated with higher scores on only one, namely ventilations (P<0.05). Video-link instruction was comparable with direct observer instruction. There was no significant difference between previously trained subjects and the intervention groups. Video-link instruction can produce significant improvements in the quality of CPR in mock resuscitations for persons with no resuscitation training.
Musculoskeletal symptom survey among mason tenders
Authors: Goldsheyder David , Nordin Margareta , Weiner Shira Schecter , Hiebert Rudi
Published: October 2002

Background

Low back pain (LBP) constitutes a major problem in construction. The magnitude and musculoskeletal injury characteristics in certain construction trades have been studied extensively. Musculoskeletal research targeting mason tenders is limited. High physical demands of the job primarily contribute to an increased risk of LBP experienced by these laborers.

Methods

A symptom survey was conducted to determine the magnitude and musculoskeletal injury characteristics among the mason tenders, and to identify work‐related activities perceived by them as contributing to their disorders.

Results

The findings revealed that 82% of the mason tenders experienced at least one musculoskeletal symptom in the last year. LBP was the most frequently reported symptom (65%). Due to LBP, 12% of the laborers missed work and 18% of them visited a physician. Bending or twisting the back, working in the same position or in pain, and heavy lifting they perceived as the most problematic work‐related activities. The vast majority of the laborers requested job‐safety training.

Conclusions

The mason tenders experienced high prevalence of LBP. To address the problem a model for primary prevention of LBP was developed and implemented in the trade. The model incorporated ergonomic principles, hazard recognition, and problem solving in the training curriculum for the union instructors teaching apprentices the trade‐specific skills. Am. J. Ind. Med. 42:384–396, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Cost effectiveness of combined spa–exercise therapy in ankylosing spondylitis: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Van Tubergen Astrid , Boonen Annelies , Landewé Robert , Rutten‐Van Mölken Maureen , Van Der Heijde Désirée , Hidding Alita , Van Der Linden Sjef
Published: October 2002

Objective

To evaluate the cost effectiveness and cost utility of a 3‐week course of combined spa therapy and exercise therapy in addition to standard treatment consisting of antiinflammatory drugs and weekly group physical therapy in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients.

Methods

A total of 120 Dutch outpatients with AS were randomly allocated into 3 groups of 40 patients each. Group 1 was treated in a spa resort in Bad Hofgastein, Austria; group 2 in a spa resort in Arcen, The Netherlands. The control group stayed at home and continued their usual activities and standard treatment during the intervention weeks. After the intervention, all patients followed weekly group physical therapy. The total study period was 40 weeks. Effectiveness of the intervention was assessed by functional ability using the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Function Index (BASFI). Utilities were measured with the EuroQoL (EQ‐5Dutility). A time‐integrated summary score defined the clinical effects (BASFI‐area under the curve [AUC]) and utilities (EQ‐5Dutility‐AUC) over time. Both direct (health care and non‐health care) and indirect costs were included. Resource utilization and absence from work were registered weekly by the patients in a diary. All costs were calculated from a societal perspective.

Results

A total of 111 patients completed the diary. The between‐group difference for the BASFI‐AUC was 1.0 (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 0.4–1.6; P = 0.001) for group 1 versus controls, and 0.6 (95% CI 0.1–1.1; P = 0.020) for group 2 versus controls. The between‐group difference for EQ‐5Dutility‐AUC was 0.17 (95% CI 0.09–0.25; P < 0.001) for group 1 versus controls, and 0.08 (95% CI 0.00–0.15; P = 0.04) for group 2 versus controls. The mean total costs per patient (including costs for spa therapy) in Euros (€) during the study period were €3,023 for group 1, €3,240 for group 2, and €1,754 for the control group. The incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio per unit effect gained in functional ability (0–10 scale) was €1,269 (95% CI 497–3,316) for group 1, and €2,477 (95% CI 601–12,098) for group 2. The costs per quality‐adjusted life year gained were €7,465 (95% CI 3,294–14,686) for group 1, and €18,575 (95% CI 3,678–114,257) for group 2.

Conclusion

Combined spa–exercise therapy besides standard treatment with drugs and weekly group physical therapy is more effective and shows favorable cost‐effectiveness and cost‐utility ratios compared with standard treatment alone in patients with AS.
Temperature–pressure stability of green fluorescent protein: A Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy study
Authors: Scheyhing Carsten H. , Meersman Filip , Ehrmann Matthias A. , Heremans Karel , Vogel Rudi F.
Published: October 2002

Green fluorescent protein (GFP) is widely used as a marker in molecular and cell biology. For its use in high‐pressure microbiology experiments, its fluorescence under pressure was recently investigated. Changes in fluorescence with pressure were found. To find out whether these are related to structural changes, we investigated the pressure stability of wild‐type GFP (wtGFP) and three of its red shift mutants (AFP, GFPmut1, and GFPmut2) using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. For the wt GFP, GFPmut1, and GFPmut2 we found that up to 13–14 kbar the secondary structure remains intact, whereas AFP starts unfolding around 10 kbar. The 3‐D structure is held responsible for this high‐pressure stability. Previously observed changes in fluorescence at low pressure are rationalized in terms of the pressure‐induced elastic effect. Above 6 kbar, loss of fluorescence is due to aggregation. Revisiting the temperature stability of GFP, we found that an intermediate state is populated along the unfolding pathway of wtGFP. At higher temperatures, the unfolding resulted in the formation of aggregates of wtGFP and its mutants. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 65: 244–253, 2002
Axonal neurofilament‐H immunolabeling in the rabbit retina
Authors: Völgyi Béla , Bloomfield Stewart A.
Published: October 2002

A monoclonal antibody directed at the multiphosphorylated epitope of axonal neurofilament‐H (NF‐H) was used to label axon‐like fibers in the rabbit retina. NF‐H‐immunopositive fibers were found in the outer plexiform layer (OPL), inner plexiform layer (IPL), and optic fiber layer (OFL). The morphological characteristics of the labeled processes identified those in the OPL as horizontal cell axons and axon terminals and fibers in the OFL as axons of ganglion cells. The NF‐H‐positive profiles in the OPL formed a subset of horizontal cell processes labeled for calbindin. In the IPL, NF‐H‐immunoreactive profiles lay at all levels but were detected most often in the middle strata, 2–4. Occasionally, we observed NF‐H‐immuoreactive processes emerging from the IPL and entering either the GCL or the inner nuclear layer (INL). The labeled fibers in the IPL were typically very thin, less than 1 μm in diameter, and could often be followed for over 1 mm as they ran laterally across the retina. Cell bodies were never labeled by the immunoserum. To identify the NF‐H‐immunopositive fibers in the IPL, standard immunocytochemical double‐labeling techniques were applied, using antibodies directed against several neurotransmitters or modulators thought to be expressed by axon‐bearing amacrine cells. The NF‐H‐positive processes in the IPL were found to correspond to those labeled for tyrosine hydroxylase, somatostatin, substance P, and NADPH diaphorase activity. However, the NF‐H labels did not colocalize with those against the vasoactive intestinal peptide‐associated protein PHM27. Our results indicate that putative axons in the retina possess the multiphosphorylated NF‐H protein found within classic axons in the central nervous system. These results thus support the idea that certain subtypes of amacrine and horizontal cells maintain true axons in the mammalian retina. J. Comp. Neurol. 453:269–279, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Skeletal muscle transformation into electric organ in s. macrurus depends on innervation
Authors: Unguez Graciela A. , Zakon Harold H.
Published: October 2002

The cells of the electric organ, called electrocytes, of the weakly electric fish Sternopygus macrurus derive from the fusion of mature fast muscle fibers that subsequently disassemble and downregulate their sarcomeric components. Previously, we showed a reversal of the differentiated state of electrocytes to that of their muscle fiber precursors when neural input is eliminated. The dependence of the mature electrocyte phenotype on neural input led us to test the hypothesis that innervation is also critical during formation of electrocytes. We used immunohistochemical analyses to examine the regeneration of skeletal muscle and electric organ in the presence or absence of innervation. We found that blastema formation is a nerve‐dependent process because regeneration was minimal when tail amputation and denervation were performed at the same time. Denervation at the onset of myogenesis resulted in the differentiation of both fast and slow muscle fibers. These were fewer in number, but in a spatial distribution similar to controls. However, in the absence of innervation, fast muscle fibers did not progress beyond the formation of closely apposed clusters, suggesting that innervation is required for their fusion and subsequent transdifferentiation into electrocytes. This study contributes further to our knowledge of the influence of innervation on cell differentiation in the myogenic lineage. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Neurobiol 53: 391–402, 2002
Novel
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Screen Identifies WR99210 Analogues That Inhibit
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Dihydrofolate Reductase
Authors: Gerum A'Lissa B. , Ulmer Jonathan E. , Jacobus David P. , Jensen Norman P. , Sherman David R. , Sibley Carol Hopkins
Published: October 2002

The ongoing selection of multidrug-resistant strains of
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
has markedly reduced the effectiveness of the standard treatment regimens. Thus, there is an urgent need for new drugs that are potent inhibitors of
M. tuberculosis
, that exhibit favorable resistance profiles, and that are well tolerated by patients. One promising drug target for treatment of mycobacterial infections is dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR; EC 1.5.1.3), a key enzyme in folate utilization. DHFR is an important drug target in many pathogens, but it has not been exploited in the search for drugs effective against
M. tuberculosis
. The triazine DHFR inhibitor WR99210 has been shown to be effective against other mycobacteria. We show here that WR99210 is also a potent inhibitor of
M. tuberculosis
and
Mycobacterium bovis
BCG growth in vitro and that resistance to WR99210 occurred less frequently than resistance to either rifampin or isoniazid. Screening of drugs with
M. tuberculosis
cultures is slow and requires biosafety level 3 facilities and procedures. We have developed an alternative strategy: initial screening in an engineered strain of the budding yeast
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
that is dependent on the
M. tuberculosis
DHFR for its growth. Using this system, we have screened 19 compounds related to WR99210 and found that 7 of these related compounds are also potent inhibitors of the
M. tuberculosis
DHFR. These studies suggest that compounds of this class are excellent potential leads for further development of drugs effective against
M. tuberculosis
.
Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Gatifloxacin against
Streptococcus pneumoniae
and
Staphylococcus aureus
in a Granulocyte-Rich Exudate
Authors: Trampuz Andrej , Laifer Gerd , Wenk Markus , Rajacic Zarko , Zimmerli Werner
Published: October 2002

The pharmacokinetics of gatifloxacin were assessed in serum and in skin blister fluid (SBF), as was the pharmacodynamic activity in SBF. Five hours after a single dose of gatifloxacin, SBF killed 2.5 logs of
Streptococcus pneumoniae
and 1.5 log of
Staphylococcus aureus
during a 2-h incubation ex vivo.
In Vivo Penicillin MIC Drift to Extremely High Resistance in Serotype 14
Streptococcus pneumoniae
Persistently Colonizing the Nasopharynx of an Infant with Chronic Suppurative Lung Disease: a Case Study
Authors: Leach Amanda J. , Morris Peter S. , Smith-Vaughan Heidi , Mathews John D.
Published: October 2002

This is the first report of in vivo pneumococcal penicillin MIC drift from 4.0 to 16.0 mg/liter, possibly associated with alterations in the
pbp1a
gene. The case presented here is of an infant with early onset recurrent pneumonia and chronic bronchitis requiring repeated antibiotics.
Sequential Emergence of Antibiotic Resistance in Enterococcal Bloodstream Isolates over 25 Years
Authors: Murdoch David R. , Mirrett Stanley , Harrell Lizzie J. , Monahan Janet S. , Reller L. Barth
Published: October 2002

We determined the antibiotic susceptibilities of 1,785 enterococcal bloodstream isolates collected over 25 years. Antibiotic resistance emerged at a greater rate in
Enterococcus faecium
than in other enterococcal species, and
E. faecium
isolates became proportionally more common over time. Our findings confirm the pattern of emerging antibiotic resistance among enterococci and highlight the increasing importance of
E. faecium
as a cause of bloodstream infection.
Fabrication and evaluation of an oxygen microelectrode applicable to environmental engineering and science
Authors: Lu R , Yu T
Published: October 2002

This paper introduces the fabrication procedure and evaluation method of an oxygen microelectrode applicable to environmental engineering and science research. The theory and development of an oxygen microelectrode technique are introduced. The fabrication procedure of a combined oxygen microelectrode with small-tip diameter (1520 μμm) is described in detail. This microelectrode was then evaluated by subjecting it to a polarization voltage of 0.8 V and calibrating against known dissolved oxygen concentrations from zero to air saturation. The results of the evaluation demonstrated that the fabrication procedure reported in this paper was successful. This microelectrode had a fast response time (<2 s), stable reading with good calibration linearity (R2 = 1), low residual current signal (6 pA), and low stirring effect (4%). No electromagnetic interference was observed when this combined oxygen microelectrode was used under both laboratory and field conditions. The combined oxygen microelectrode fabricated using this procedure can be used for in situ measurement of dissolved oxygen in wastewater biofilms under field conditions. Key words: microelectrode, microsensor, oxygen, fabrication, polarization, calibration, biofilm, wastewater.
Batch and continuous feeding of thermophilic aerobically digested sludge supernatant as a carbon source for biological nutrient removal
Authors: Li J Z , Mavinic D S , Kelly H G
Published: October 2002

Short chain volatile fatty acids (VFAs), namely acetate and propionate, are among the most available carbon sources for biological nutrient removal (BNR) enhancement in wastewater treatment. The thermophilic aerobic digestion (TAD) of sludge under a "microaerated" condition, whereby the system oxygen demand exceeds the system supply, has been found to accumulate high concentrations of VFAs. Since the sludge supernatant will be returned to the main treatment stream in most cases, using the TAD supernatant as the carbon source for BNR enhancement is a potential benefit for energy and resource conservation purposes. Batch and continuous feeds of TAD supernatant in BNR anaerobic and anoxic zones, as the carbon supplement for phosphorus and nitrogen removal, were investigated in this study. Results showed that the TAD supernatant was capable of enhancing the phosphorus release and denitrification, similar to the sodium acetate (NaOAc). Carbon sources in the TAD supernatant other than the VFAs were also utilized in the BNR processes; this indicated that the TAD supernatant consisted of other available carbon sources, not just the VFA concentrations detected by chemical analyses. Volatile fatty acid maximization and nutrient mitigation in the TAD supernatant are seen as crucial in this recovered carbon source application. Key words: biological nutrient removal, carbon source, digested sludge supernatant, thermophilic aerobic digestion, volatile fatty acids.
Risk of parasite-induced predation: an experimental field study on Townsend's voles (Microtus townsendii)
Authors: Steen Harald , Taitt Mary , Krebs Charles J
Published: October 2002

Studies of causes of mortality in rodents, snowshoe hares, and red grouse show that many individuals succumb to predation and few die from starvation or parasite infestation. Predation may be the proximate cause of death and factors like parasite infestation and starvation could facilitate predation. Our aim was to test whether Townsend's voles, Microtus townsendii, experimentally rid of parasites are less likely to be killed by predators than are control voles. During two breeding seasons we treated half of the adults caught at Boundary Bay, British Columbia, Canada, with the anthelmintic Ivomec® and left the other half as controls. Voles were randomly assigned to the treatment and control groups. Predators killed 5 of 23 treated voles and 11 of 26 control voles in 1998. In 1997 predators killed 3 of 17 treated voles and 2 of 18 control voles. Vole density was higher in 1998 than in 1997 and predation was the main cause of mortality in both years. Survival of control voles was lower in 1998 than in 1997, indicating lower predation pressure in 1997 than in 1998. Botfly prevalence and intensity were low and similar in both years. We speculate that the lack of treatment effect in 1997 could have been due to lower overall parasite prevalence in that year than in 1998, resulting in relatively higher susceptibility of voles to predation. Parasite-induced predation reduced monthly survival by 17% in 1998.
PARALLEL FINITE AUTOMATA SYSTEMS COMMUNICATING BY STATES
Authors: MARTÍN-VIDE CARLOS , MATEESCU ALEXANDRU , MITRANA VICTOR
Published: October 2002

An accepting device based on the communication between finite automata working in parallel is introduced. It consists of several finite automata working independently but communicating states to each other by request. Several variants of parallel communicating finite automata systems are investigated from their computational power point of view. We prove that all of them are at most as powerful as multi-head finite automata. Homomorphical characterizations of recursively enumerable languages are obtained starting from languages recognized by all variants of parallel communicating finite automata systems having at most three components. We present a brief comparison with the parallel communicating grammar systems. Some remarks suggesting that these devices might be mildly context-sensitive ones as well as a few open problems and directions for further research are also discussed.
PHASE TRANSITION AND FRAGMENT PRODUCTION IN THE LATTICE GAS MODEL
Authors: GULMINELLI FRANCESCA , CHOMAZ PHILIPPE
Published: October 2002

The critical behavior of fragment production is studied within a Lattice Gas Model in the canonical ensemble. Finite size effects on the liquid-gas phase transition are analyzed by a direct calculation of the partition function, and it is shown that phase coexistence and phase transition are relevant concepts even for systems of a few tens of particles. Critical exponents are extracted from the behavior of the fragment production yield as a function of temperature by means of a finite size scaling. The result is that in a finite system well defined critical signals can be found at supercritical (Kertész line) as well as subcritical densities inside the coexistence zone.
Flow cytometric disease monitoring in multiple myeloma: the relationship between normal and neoplastic plasma cells predicts outcome after transplantation
Authors: Rawstron Andy C. , Davies Faith E. , DasGupta Ranjit , Ashcroft A. John , Patmore Russell , Drayson Mark T. , Owen Roger G. , Jack Andrew S. , Child J. Anthony , Morgan Gareth J.
Published: October 2002

Conventional monitoring strategies for myeloma are not sufficiently sensitive to identify patients likely to benefit from further therapy immediately after transplantation. We have used a sensitive flow cytometry assay that quantitates normal and neoplastic plasma cells to monitor the bone marrow of 45 patients undergoing high-dose chemotherapy. Neoplastic plasma cells were detectable at 3 months after transplantation in 42% of patients. Once detected, neoplastic cell levels increased steadily until clinical progression: these patients had a significantly shorter progression-free survival (PFS) (median, 20 months) than those with no detectable disease (median, longer than 35 months; P = .003). Neoplastic plasma cells were detectable in 27% (9 of 33) of immunofixation-negative complete-remission patients. These patients had a significantly shorter PFS than immunofixation-negative patients with no detectable neoplastic plasma cells (P = .04). Normal plasma cells were present in 89% of patients immediately after transplantation, but were not sustained in most cases. Patients with only normal phenotype plasma cells present at 3 months after transplantation and also at second assessment had a low risk of disease progression. Patients with neoplastic plasma cells present at 3 months after transplantation, or with only normal plasma cells present at first assessment and only neoplastic plasma cells at second assessment, had a significantly higher risk of early disease progression (P < .0001) with a 5-year survival of 54% for the high-risk group, compared with 100% in the low-risk group (P = .036). Analysis of normal and neoplastic plasma cell levels is more sensitive than immunofixation and can identify which patients may benefit from additional treatment strategies at an early stage after transplantation.
Emergence of muscle and neural hematopoiesis in humans
Authors: Jay Karen E. , Gallacher Lisa , Bhatia Mickie
Published: October 2002

During human development, hematopoiesis is thought to be compartmentalized to the fetal circulation, liver, and bone marrow. Here, we show that combinations of cytokines together with bone morphogenetic protein-4 and erythropoietin could induce multiple blood lineages from human skeletal muscle or neural tissue. Under defined serum-free conditions, the growth factors requirements, proliferation, and differentiation capacity of muscle and neural hematopoiesis were distinct to that derived from committed hematopoietic sites and were uniquely restricted to CD45−CD34− cells expressing the prominin AC133. Our study defines epigenetic factors required for the emergence of hematopoiesis from unexpected tissue origins and illustrates that embyronically specified microenvironments do not limit cell fate in humans.
The histone deacetylase inhibitor AN-9 has selective toxicity to acute leukemia and drug-resistant primary leukemia and cancer cell lines
Authors: Batova Ayse , Shao Li-en , Diccianni Mitchell B. , Tanaka Alice L.Yu, Tetsuya , Rephaeli Ada , Nudelman Abraham , Yu John
Published: October 2002

The novel prodrug of butyric acid, pivaloyloxymethyl butyrate (AN-9), a histone deacetylase inhibitor, shows great promise as an effective and relatively nontoxic anticancer agent for solid malignancies. However, little is known about its effects on hematopoietic malignancies. In this study, we show that 21 primary samples of acute leukemia were sensitive to the antiproliferative effects of AN-9, with a 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 45.8 ± 4.1 μM. In colony-forming assays, primary T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) cells were 3-fold more sensitive to AN-9 than the normal hematopoietic progenitors, erythroid burst-forming units and granulocyte/monocyte colony-forming units. AN-9 induced apoptosis in the T-ALL cell line CEM. A common problem with cancer is chemoresistance, which is often typical of relapsed cancers. Remarkably, a T-ALL sample at diagnosis and an acute myeloid leukemia sample at relapse that were resistant to doxorubicin in vitro were sensitive to AN-9, with an IC50 of 50 μM for both samples. More strikingly, samples from 2 infants with t(4;11) ALL obtained at diagnosis and relapse each were the most sensitive to AN-9, with IC50values of 25 μM and 17 μM, respectively. Furthermore, a doxorubicin-resistant clone of HL60, HL60/ADR, obtained by the transfection of the MDR-1 gene, was equally sensitive to AN-9 cytotoxicity as the parental cells. AN-9 induced the expression of p21 in an infant leukemia sample with 11q23 rearrangement, but not in T- or B-precursor ALL. Collectively, our results suggest that AN-9 is a selective agent for hematopoietic malignancies that can circumvent the mechanisms of chemoresistance limiting most conventional chemotherapy.
Homozygosity mapping of a second gene locus for hereditary combined deficiency of vitamin K–dependent clotting factors to the centromeric region of chromosome 16
Authors: Fregin Andreas , Rost Simone , Wolz Werner , Krebsova Alice , Muller Clemens R. , Oldenburg Johannes
Published: October 2002

Familial multiple coagulation factor deficiency (FMFD) of factors II, VII, IX, X, protein C, and protein S is a very rare bleeding disorder with autosomal recessive inheritance. The phenotypic presentation is variable with respect to the residual activities of the affected proteins, its response to oral administration of vitamin K, and to the involvement of skeletal abnormalities. The disease may result either from a defective resorption/transport of vitamin K to the liver, or from a mutation in one of the genes encoding γ-carboxylase or other proteins of the vitamin K cycle. We have recently presented clinical details of a Lebanese family and a German family with 10 and 4 individuals, respectively, where we proposed autosomal recessive inheritance of the FMFD phenotype. Biochemical investigations of vitamin K components in patients' serum showed a significantly increased level of vitamin K epoxide, thus suggesting a defect in one of the subunits of the vitamin K 2,3-epoxide reductase (VKOR) complex. We now have performed a genome-wide linkage analysis and found significant linkage of FMFD to chromosome 16. A total maximum 2-point LOD score of 3.4 at θ = 0 was obtained in the interval between markers D16S3131 on 16p12 and D16S419 on 16q21. In both families, patients were autozygous for 26 and 28 markers, respectively, in an interval of 3 centimorgans (cM). Assuming that FMFD and warfarin resistance are allelic, conserved synteny between human and mouse linkage groups would restrict the candidate gene interval to the centromeric region of the short arm of chromosome 16.
Characterization of a surface modified dry powder inhalation carrier prepared by “particle smoothing”
Authors: Young P M , Cocconi D , Colombo P , Bettini R , Price R , Steele D F , Tobyn M J
Published: October 2002

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) was used to investigate drug-carrier interactions between beclometasone dipropionate (BDP) and a series of untreated and modified lactose surfaces. This quantitative information was correlated with bulk characterization methods and an in-vitro study. Modified lactose surfaces were prepared using a proprietary process referred to as “particle smoothing” to obtain smooth carrier surfaces with or without the presence of magnesium stearate. The engineering of lactose carrier surfaces using the particle smoothing process resulted in significant differences in surface morphology when compared with the “as supplied” starting material. The energy of separation, between BDP and lactose samples, determined by AFM suggested similar lognormal distributions with a rank decrease in median separation energy (e0.5) (26.7, 20.6 and 7.7 μJ for untreated, particle-smoothed and particle-smoothed with magnesium stearate, respectively). A series of in-vitro twin stage impinger studies showed good correlation with the AFM separation energy measurements. The mean fine particle dose increased for the two processed lactose samples, with a significant increase for the lactose processed with magnesium stearate, 102.0 ± 16 μg compared with 24.2 ± 10.7 μg for the untreated lactose. Thus, the AFM presents as a possible pre-formulation tool for rapid characterization of particle interactions.
Effect of oxyethylene moiety in polyoxyethylene sorbitan esters on the pharmacokinetics of menatetrenone incorporated in O/W lipid emulsions prepared with polyoxyethylene sorbitan esters and soybean oil in rats
Authors: Ueda Kumiko , Fujimoto Masanori , Noto Hiromi , Kawaguchi Yuriko , Sakaeda Toshiyuki , Iwakawa Seigo
Published: October 2002

Oil-in-water (O/W) lipid emulsions are suitable drug carriers for lipophilic drugs; however, the effects of numbers or chains of oxyethylene units within a surfactant molecule such as polyoxyethylene sorbitan esters (PSs) on the biological fate of these lipid emulsions have not yet been clarified. In this study, a series of PSs and soybean oil (SO) were utilized to prepare menatetrenone-incorporated lipid emulsions (SO/PSs), and the biological fate of menatetrenone administered as SO/PSs was studied at a clinical injection volume (0.1 mL kg−1) in rats. The plasma concentration and organ uptake of menatetrenone administered as SO/20OE-PSs (PSs with 20 oxyethylene units) was similar to that of SO/egg-yolk phosphatides (SO/EYP). The plasma concentration of menatetrenone was extensively lower for SO/6OE-PSs (PSs with 6 oxyethylene units) and SO/20OE-3FA-PSs (PSs with 20 oxyethylene units and 3 fatty acid chains) than that for SO/EYP, and menatetrenone uptake by the liver and spleen was higher for SO/6OE-PSs and SO/20OE-3FA-PSs, respectively, than those for SO/EYP. Furthermore, menatetrenone uptake by the lungs was also increased for SO/6OE-PS and SO/20OE-3FA-PS with double bonds in the fatty acid moieties of the PSs. These findings suggested that shortening the oxyethylene units or decreasing the oxyethylene chain numbers of emulsifiers resulted in a rapid clearance of the lipid emulsions from the circulation by extensive uptake via the liver, spleen or lungs.
Recent Progress of Functional Glycoconjugated Metal Complexes
Authors: Yano Shigenobu , Mikata Yuji
Published: October 2002

Synthesis, characterizations and stereochemistry of the transition metal complexes containing glycosylamines derived from sugar molecules and polyamines have been investigated. During this study, the intelligent sugar complexes having ion recognition ability, novel sugar transformation reactions promoted by a cooperative effect of calcium ion and monoamines have been discovered. The biological activity of these metal complexes was also investigated. Antifungal nickel(II) complexes derived from amino sugars, and unprecedented sugar-dependent in vivo antitumor activity of carbohydrate-pendant cis-platinum(II) complexes are described in this article. These results suggested that the stereostructure and bioactivity of the sugar-metal complexes can be modified by varying amines and metal ions, and sugar molecules used.
Why Does a Color-Developing Phenomenon Occur on Thermal Paper Comprising of a Fluoran Dye and a Color Developer Molecule?
Authors: Takahashi Yoshiyuki , Shirai Ayako , Segawa Takako , Takahashi Tatsuya , Sakakibara Kazuhisa
Published: October 2002

The mechanism of the color development on thermal paper, comprising a fluoran dye (S-205) and a color developer molecule, such as bisphenol A, was elucidated based on spectroscopic analyses (IR, and NMR) on an isolated black-colored compound prepared by a reaction of S-205 and bisphenol A. We propose that this black-colored compound is, indeed, a color-developing complex (CDC) with a definite molar ratio (S-205 : bisphenol A = 1 : 4 ) which has been formed between the open-form S-205 (generated by the cleavage of the lactone ring of S-205: zwitterion) and bisphenol A through hydrogen-bonding. The enthalpy gain associated with the formation of CDC plays an important role for black-color formation on thermal paper.
Asymmetric Baeyer–Villiger Oxidation of Cyclic Ketones Using Chiral Organoselenium Catalysts
Authors: Miyake Yoshihiro , Nishibayashi Yoshiaki , Uemura Sakae
Published: October 2002

Novel optically active diselenides having a chiral oxazoline have been prepared and the structure of one of them is unambiguously determined by X-ray structural analysis. Treatment of a variety of cyclobutanones with 30% H2O2 in the presence of a catalytic amount of the optically active diselenides in tetrahydrofuran or 1,4-dioxane at 0 °C–rt affords the corresponding γ-lactones in up to 92% yield with up to 19% ee. The enantioselectivity of the product is not yet satisfactory, but this is the first example of asymmetric Baeyer–Villiger oxidation catalyzed by chiral organoselenium compounds.
Spectroscopic Characterization and Catalytic Application of Copper(I), Silver(I) and Gold(I) Carbonyl Cations in Strong Acids
Authors: Tsumori Nobuko , Xu Qiang , Hirahara Mai , Tanihata Souichi , Souma Yoshie , Nishimura Yasuo , Kuriyama Nobuhiro , Tsubota Susumu
Published: October 2002

Detailed IR, Raman, and NMR spectroscopic characterization has been carried out on the group 11 metal carbonyl cations, Cu(CO)n+ (n = 1, 2, 3, 4), Ag(CO)n+ (n = 1, 2, 3), and Au(CO)n+ (n = 1, 2), over a wide range of temperature and in a variety of strong acids. Based on these results their molecular structures were determined and their stabilities are compared and discussed. The active species have been determined to be Cu(CO)2+ (and Cu(CO)3+ as a minor species) instead of the previously assigned Cu(CO)3+, Ag(CO)+ instead of the previously assigned Ag(CO)2+, and Au(CO)2+, respectively, for the copper(I), silver(I) and gold(I) carbonyl cation-catalyzed carbonylation of olefins and alcohols in concentrated sulfuric acid. The reaction mechanism previously proposed for the metal carbonyl cation-catalyzed carbonylation has been modified to involve an olefin-metal-monocarbonyl (e.g., for Ag) or an olefin-metal-polycarbonyl (e.g., for Cu or Au) intermediate.
Middle-ear disease in remote Aboriginal Australia: a field assessment of surgical outcomes
Authors: Mak Donna , MacKendrick Alastair , Weeks Sharon , Plant Aileen J.
Published: October 2002

Chronic middle-ear disease is highly prevalent among Australian Aboriginal people, and many undergo surgical treatment. However, the outcomes of surgery in this group have not been fully evaluated. This is a descriptive study of operations for middle-ear disease (excluding grommets) on Aboriginal patients in Kimberley hospitals between 1 October 1986 and 31 December 1995. Logistic regression was used to model predictors of surgical outcome. Success was defined by an intact tympanic membrane and air-bone gap of 25 dB at review at, or later than, six months post-operation. A success rate of 53 per cent was observed; increasing age was the only variable predictive of success. Successful outcomes were more likely in adults and children aged >10 years, however, this does not take into account the necessity of hearing for language acquisition and learning. Dedicated resources must be allocated for post-operative follow-up of Aboriginal patients so that much-needed, rigorous evaluations of ENT surgery can be conducted.
Functional laryngeal dyskinesia: an important cause of stridor
Authors: Renz V. , Hern J. , Tostevin P. , Hung T. , Wyatt M.
Published: October 2002

Functional laryngeal dyskinesia is a disorder that presents with stridor. Failure to recognize its features can result in inappropriate investigation and treatment for a condition that has a psychogenic origin. The key feature in diagnosis is paradoxical vocal fold adduction on inspiration, as seen on fibre-optic nasendoscopy. This phenomenon together with the associated stridor may disappear after distraction techniques or when the patient is asleep. We present five such cases which presented to hospitals in south west London over a 12 month period.
muc-1 gene expression in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas
Authors: Rubin J. S. , Bloor B. K. , Hart I. R. , Morgan P. R.
Published: October 2002

Polymorphic epithelial mucin (PEM), the protein product of the gene muc-1, is a surface glycoprotein that is produced by a range of normal epithelial cells, but has been shown to be expressed at high levels in a range of adenocarcinomas. It has not been investigated extensively in head and neck related tissues, and not at all in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC). This immunohistochemical investigation using two monoclonal antibodies to muc-1 represents a baseline study of 18 HNSCC. In 13 cases, the glycoprotein was expressed at varying levels, usually in keratinizing foci. Although less prominent, expression was also present to some degree in nine of 23 control specimens of non-neoplastic mucosa, mostly at an epithelial level early in the parakeratinization process. Both antibodies showed a pattern of staining. The cellular basis for muc-1 expression is speculative at present and although it is at a lower level than in adenocarcinomas, it may help to provide further insight into epithelial cell differentiation in squamous cell carcinomas.
Traumatic porencephalic cyst and cholesteatoma of the ear
Authors: Resende M. , Abrunhosa J. , Gonçalves P. , Gameiro Dos Santos J. , Moreira F. , Gameiro Dos Santos A.
Published: October 2002

Porencephalic cyst expanding into the ear is a very rare complication of temporal bone fracture. We report a case of a 20 – year – old male who developed a traumatic porencephalic cyst of the temporal lobe expanding into the ear through a tegmen fracture in association with a cholesteatoma. The clinical presentation was otitic meningitis. This occurrence was not encountered in any of the cases reviewed in the literature. The diagnosis, pathogenesis, treatment and prognosis of this condition are reviewed.
Primary extracranial meningioma of the soft palate
Authors: Kishore A. , Roy D. , Irvine B. W. H.
Published: October 2002

Extracranial meningiomas comprise two per cent of all meningiomas. Primary extracranial meningiomas are even less common. The authors report the first case of a primary extracranial meningiomas of the soft palate, which presented as an intraoral mass. This was treated by surgical excision and there was no evidence of tumour recurrence at four years of follow-up.
Osteosarcomatosis involving craniofacial bones presenting with cranial nerve palsies
Authors: Sato  , Himi  , Tamakawa
Published: October 2002

Osteosarcomatosis (also known as multifocal osteosarcoma or multiple sclerotic osteosarcoma) is a rare condition, characterized by multiple skeletal lesions at initial presentation. We describe a case of osteosarcomatosis involving craniofacial bones presenting with cranial nerve palsies. In addition, a brief review of the literature is given, with a discussion of this highly aggressive form of osteosarcoma.
Nasal lipoma
Authors: Takasaki Kenji , Yano Hisakazu , Hayashi Tomayoshi , Kobayashi Toshimitsu
Published: October 2002

Several lipomas of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinus have previously been reported to date. We present a 21-year-old case with nasal lipoma situated on the left posterior of part of the nasal septum, operated on endoscopically. The present case is, to our knowledge, the first report on nasal lipoma in the adult.
Rhinoplasty in unilateral cleft lip nasal deformity
Authors: Foda Hossam , Bassyouni Khaled
Published: October 2002

An operation is described for correction of unilateral cleft lip nasal deformity which has had considerable uniformity of success and is applicable to both mild and severe degrees of deformity. Our proposed repair technique is performed through an external rhinoplasty approach and depends on repositioning of the displaced and deformed cartilages together with the reinforcement of the structural support of the nose by using multiple cartilage grafts. This surgical technique was used in 18 consecutive adult patients with unilateral cleft lip nasal deformity and yielded consistently good long-term functional and cosmetic results.
Management strategy of mycobacterial cervical lymphadenitis
Authors: Kanlikama Muzaffer , Mumbuç Semih , Bayazit Yildirim , S¸irikçi Akif
Published: October 2002

The objectives of this study were to investigate the typical clinical presentation, diagnosis and treatment of mycobacterial cervical lymphadenitis (MCL).

Medical records of 87 patients who were treated for MCL were retrospectively reviewed. Definitive diagnosis of MCL was made when a neck mass persisted for several weeks or months and one or more of the following was obtained: (1) positive mycobacterial cultures from biopsy material; (2) Positive mycobacterial staining of biopsy material; (3) Granulomatous inflammation and caseating necrosis on histopathological examination of biopsy material.

Clinical findings were reviewed prior to treatment. The treatment included standard antituberculous medications followed by surgery in which either total excision or selective nodal dissection of the cervical lump was made. Follow-up results are presented.

The chief complaint was a cervical mass that was localized mostly to the posterior cervical or submandibular regions. A fistula formation was encountered in 11.5 per cent. All patients recovered from MCL by combined antituberculous drug and surgical treatments.

Clinical presentation of the disease and histopathological assessment are important in the diagnosis of MCL as well as in the differential diagnosis of tuberculous and nontuberculous MCL. Utilizing the combined medical and surgical treatment options, both tuberculous and non-tuberculous cervical adenitis can be treated successfully.
Rhinorrhoea feigning cerebrospinal fluid leak: nine illustrative cases
Authors: Bateman N. , Jones N. S.
Published: October 2002

Before contemplating surgery for cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhoea it is vital that the correct diagnosis is established. This can be done using immunofixation of beta-2-transferrin, that is nearly always positive in cases of CSF rhinorrhoea. Fluorescein lumbar puncture is useful in establishing the exact site of a leak and also in confirming the absence of a leak where the clinical suspicion is high but the beta-2-transferrin is negative. High resolution computed tomography (CT) scanning is a useful radiological investigation for identifying a bony defect. We present nine patients who presented with clear rhinorrhoea that was clinically highly suggestive of a CSF leak. Three of these patients had undergone previous craniotomies for presumed CSF rhinorrhoea. The diagnosis of CSF rhinorrhoea was excluded in all patients using beta-2-transferrin with or without fluorescein lumbar puncture. The authors believe that measurement of beta-2-transferrin should be mandatory before surgery for CSF rhinorrhoea.
Cervical schwannoma: a case report and eight years review
Authors: Ku Hui-chi , Yeh Chi-wei
Published: October 2002

Schwannomas are peripheral nerve tumours of nerve sheath origin. We report one case of cervical schwannoma originating from the brachial plexus. A 56-year-old man presented with a slow-growing mass on the right side of his neck that had been noted for more than 10 years. During operation, a wellencapsulated mass was seen beneath the brachial plexus with adhesion to the plexus element. It was reported as a schwannoma. Three days after surgery, the patient had a motor deficit of the right upper arm and neurological examination showed a CV nerve deficit. The neurological function recovered completely after three months. In addition, the other five cases of cervical schwannoma seen in our hospital between March 1990 and June 1998 are also reviewed. All patients had surgery. The pre-operative symptoms, impressions, and post-operative neurological status were shown and discussed. Only two cases were diagnosed as neurogenic tumour pre-operatively. Post-operatively, one patient had transient neurological deficit and another one had permanent deficit.
Reconstruction of intrathoracic oesophagus using tubular lateral thigh free flap
Authors: Benazzo Marco , Occhini Antonio , Fossati GianSilvio , Caracciolo Giuseppe
Published: October 2002

The gastric pull-up or pharyngogastroplasty is the most widely used technique in reconstructing the digestive tract in cases of distal oesophageal tumours. This operation consists of drawing the stomach or part of it up through the chest and mediastinic region to the neck where a mucosal anastomosis with the residual pharyngeal act is made.

The most feared complication is proximal necrosis of the gastric stump with salivary fistulae usually followed by a mediastinitis. In the presence of such a complication the surgeon must tackle the challenge of reconstructing the missing part of the intrathoracic digestive tract. We describe the case of a patient in whom the missing intrathoracic oesophagus, following complete necrosis of a previously performed pharyngogastroplasty, was reconstructed using a revascularized lateral thigh free flap.
Intramasseteric metastasis of renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Yiotakis J. , Hantzakos A. , Kostakopoulos A. , Adamopoulos G.
Published: October 2002

In this case report, we present a solitary metastasis of renal cell carcinoma inside the masseter muscle. To our knowledge, it is the very first case ever encountered.
Occipital meningocele and Mondini deformity of the cochlea
Authors: Smith O. D. , Neumann A. M. , Sirimanna K. S.
Published: October 2002

We present two cases of a previously unreported association between occipital meningocele and Mondini deformity of the cochlea. The probability of the association is supported by the intimate relationship between the development of these structures; the existence of dysembryoplastic factors that can cause both abnormalities; and the universal existence of cochlear abnormalities in anencephalic foetuses. The importance of considering the association is emphasized, in terms of early identification and referral of children with hearing loss, and avoidance of duplication of investigations.
Cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p27 is related to cell proliferation and prognosis in laryngeal squamous cell carcinomas
Authors: Tamura Nobuaki , Dong Youyi , Sui Li , Tai Yuji , Sugimoto Katsuyoshi , Nagahata Shunichiro , Tokuda Masaaki
Published: October 2002

An immunohistochemical study of both p27 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) was performed on 102 cases of laryngeal squamous cell carcinomas (LSCCs), and large variations in p27 expression were found among the tumours. Reduced expression of p27 was revealed in 54 (52.9 per cent) cases and correlated with tumour size, lymph node metastasis, and clinical stage, but did not correlate with age, sex, tumour site, or tumour grade. A significant positive correlation was found between the percentage of loss of p27 expression and the PCNA index (r = 0.844, p < 0.0001). Reduced expression of p27 was significantly correlated with both reducing disease-free and overall survival by univariate analysis. By multivariate analysis, reduced expression of p27, tumour grade, tumour size, lymph node metastasis as well as clinical stage were independent prognostic factors for overall survival of LSCCs. These findings indicate that reduced expression of p27 may be correlated with the malignant biological behaviour of LSCCs.