bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Preoperative lymphoscintigraphy and sentinel lymph node biopsy in papillary thyroid cancer. A pilot study
Authors: Catarci Marco , Zaraca Francesco , Angeloni Riccardo , Mancini Barbara , de Filippo Maria Grazia , Massa Rita , Carboni Manlio , Pasquini Giorgio
Published: August 2002

Background and Objectives:

Lymphadenectomy for papillary thyroid cancer is a matter of debate. After showing its usefulness as a prognostic factor in both melanoma and breast cancer, the concept of sentinel lymph node biopsy was also recently applied to differentiated thyroid cancer. To date, all attempts to locate and remove the sentinel node were based on the intraoperative injection of a vital dye. The feasibility and the technical details of using preoperative lymphoscintigraphy coupled with intraoperative vital dye and gamma probe scanning were investigated and discussed.

Methods:

Six patients diagnosed with papillary thyroid cancer were submitted to preoperative lymphoscintigraphy with 99mTc‐labelled colloidal albumin at different dosages. The operation consisted in a total thyroidectomy with sentinel lymph node biopsy guided by intraoperative injection of a vital dye (Blu Patent V, 2.5%) and scanning with a hand‐held gamma probe. Lymph node dissection was completed in the area in which the sentinel node was located.

Results:

The sentinel node was identified using all the three methods in all cases (100%). Considering one of the methods alone, identification rates were 66, 50, and 83% for preoperative lymphoscintigraphy, vital dye, and probe scanning, respectively. One sentinel node was identified in four cases and two in the other two cases. The optimal dosage of the tracer appeared to be at 22 MBq.

Conclusions:

These results underline the necessity to use the combination of nuclear medicine imaging and lymphatic vital dye in order to enhance the identification rate of sentinel node also in thyroid cancer. It is now necessary to check the diagnostic accuracy of this procedure through a controlled trial involving a more extended lymph node dissection in the neck. J. Surg. Oncol. 2001; 77:21–24. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Melanoma in African‐Americans: Trends in biological behavior and clinical characteristics over two decades
Authors: Bellows Charles F. , Belafsky Peter , Fortgang Ilana S. , Beech Derrich J.
Published: August 2002

Background:

The incidence of melanoma in the United States is increasing. Data on this disease in African‐Americans is sparse.

Methods:

Chart review of patients diagnozed with melanoma from 1975 to 1997 at Charity Hospital New Orleans (CHNO). Age, gender, anatomic distribution, histology, presenting stage, survival, and race were evaluated.

Results:

Forty‐four of 198 patients were African‐American, of whom the majority developed cutaneous melanoma on the acral surface of the foot. African‐American males were four times more likely to present with a cutaneous lesion than were African‐American females. The median survival time for African‐American with cutaneous lesions was 45 months, compared to 135 months for caucasians who were 3.6 times more likely to present with early disease (P < 0.05). TNM stage at presentation, and ulceration were significant, independent factors associated with a worse outcome in African‐Americans.

Conclusion:

Overall survival time for African‐Americans with cutaneous melanoma is significantly shorter than for caucasians with this disease. This trend may be attributable to the fact that African‐Americans present with advanced disease. An increased level of awareness among both patients and health‐care providers is necessary to identify African‐Americans with melanoma at earlier stages of disease and to improve survival. J. Surg. Oncol. 2001;78:10–16. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Analysis of the temperature and pressure dependence of the reaction HO + NO2+ M ⇔︁ HONO2+ M
Authors: Troe J.
Published: August 2002

A theoretical analysis of the temperature and pressure dependence of the reaction HO + NO2+ M ⇔︁ HONO2+ M is made over the temperature range 50–1400 K and the pressure range 10−4–103bar where experimental data are available. The treatment accounts for contributions from anharmonicity, centrifugal barriers, angular momentum couplings, and weak collisions. It is shown that broadening factorsF(x), with logF(x) ≈ [1 + (logx/N)2]−1logFc,x=k1,0/k1,∞,N≈ 0.75 – 1.27 logFc(where log = log10), andFc= 0.40 (±0.02), well represent the calculated falloff curves in the experimental range. Values ofk1,0= [N2] 3.0 × 10−30(T/300 K)−3.0cm6molecule−2s−1andk1,∞= 3.6 × 10−11cm3molecule−1s−1, are consistent with experiments over the range 220–400 K. The NASA/JPL policy of usingFc= 0.6 andN= 1 leads to apparent values ofk1,0, andk1,∞which are too low, although experimentally observed parts of the falloff curves can well be reproduced. The IUPAC recommendation of a temperature dependence ofFc≈ exp(−T/Tc) should also be abandoned becauseFcis nearly temperature independent between 50 and 1400 K. The analysis of experimental limiting low pressure rate coefficientsk1,0leads to apparent average energies 〈ΔE〉 transferred per collision of about −160 cm−1for M = N2, and −80 cm−1for M = Ar, which are nearly temperature independent over the range 200–400 K for M = N2, and only weakly temperature dependent between 300 and 1400 K for M = Ar. The analysis ofk1,0, which leads to 〈ΔE〉, and ofk1,∞, however, are markedly influenced by the lack of sufficiently precise information on the interaction potential between HO and NO2. For this reason, the consequences of uncertainties are discussed in detail. Possible contributions of HOONO isomer formation in the reaction are also discussed. It is shown that HOONO yields, at pressures below 1 bar, most probably are smaller than about 2.5% while yields up to 20% are possible at 100 bar. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 33: 878–889, 2001
Land degradation processes in Portugal: farmers' perceptions of the application of European agroforestry programmes
Authors: Carvalho T. M. M. , Coelho C. O. A. , Ferreira A. J. D. , Charlton C. A.
Published: August 2002

This paper examines the effectiveness of European Union (EU) agroforestry programmes in reversing land degradation processes in the Mação region of central Portugal. Since the 1980s, the region has experienced severe forest fires, which have had serious consequences for the local ecosystem in terms of land degradation processes and changes in the hydrological cycle. In an attempt to reverse this situation, agroforestry programmes and aid schemes have been introduced to improve land management practices and increase the forest area and stabilize soil. However, evaluations of the environmental, economic and social impacts of these schemes have been limited. This paper considers the effectiveness of agroforestry programmes from the perspectives of farmers in the area, as revealed by a detailed survey of land users' perceptions of these measures. The paper also reflects on the implications for current and future policy. The results suggest that present assistance regimes may be insufficient to ensure adequate forest management in the future. A new approach to forest management is proposed involving greater cooperation among local farmers, diversification of species in new afforestation and the establishment of demonstration projects. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fluorescence spectroscopy for in vivo characterization of ovarian tissue
Authors: Brewer Molly , Utzinger Urs , Silva Elvio , Gershenson David , Bast Robert C. , Follen Michele , Richards‐Kortum Rebecca
Published: August 2002

Background and Objective:

The objective of this study was to explore whether fluorescence spectroscopy signatures differed between normal variations within the ovary, benign neoplasms, and ovarian cancer.

Study Design/Materials and Methods:

Ovarian tissue fluorescence emission spectra were collected sequentially at 18 excitation wavelengths ranging from 330 to 500 nm from 11 patients undergoing oophorectomy and assembled into fluorescence excitation emission matrices (EEMs); biopsies corresponded to the area interrogated. Spectral areas that could differentiate normal ovary, benign neoplasms, and cancers were evaluated, using histopathology as the reference standard.

Results:

The most promising measurements are (1) the integrated fluorescence intensity from 400 to 430 nm excitation at 460 nm emission, and (2) the ratios of fluorescence intensities at 330 nm excitation, 385 and 500 nm emission, and at 375 and 415 nm excitation, 460 nm emission. Simple systems to visualize these optical signatures at laparoscopy could be designed.

Conclusion:

Fluorescence spectroscopy may have the ability to distinguish ovarian cancers from normal ovarian structures and benign neoplasms, as well as differentiate between normal variations and metaplastic structures and should be further explored as a device for the early detection of ovarian cancers. Lasers Surg. Med. 29:128–135, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Disposition of possessions among families of people living with AIDS
Authors: Kates Steven M.
Published: August 2002

The consumer‐research field has not yet explored the consumption dynamics of gay and lesbian chosen families. Also, there is currently a lack of work on death, dying, and disposition of possessions. The purpose of this article is to report the findings of a study of recipients' meanings of possessions in a very specialized context: dying of and death from AIDS. Three broad conceptual categories or themes emerged that fully described the meanings of dispositions and problems experienced among the chosen family: possessions and remembrance, inclusions and exclusions through disposition, and the means and meanings of final disposition. Overall, these consumers are trying to consume in prosocial manners and in doing so, negotiate the family unit and encounter difficulty through lack of social and legal recognition of their family bonds. Given that the time horizon of the relationship trajectory had been drastically curtailed, informants appeared to enter an entirely different paradigm of gift giving and receipt. This paradigm may well be one of agapic love in which gifts are given in the spirit of expressing altruistic, unselfish regard for family members and so negotiate reworked ideal of family. In this context, the agapic paradigm appears to stress the creative agency of the individual as opposed to the structuring effects of preexisting norms and conditions surrounding gift giving. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Embodied‐concept use in sense making by marketing managers
Authors: Rosa José Antonio
Published: August 2002

Content analysis of text data and experimental methods are used in two studies that investigate the use of embodied concepts in sense making by marketing managers, and the influence that environmental and dispositional factors have on such usage. Embodied concepts are simple mental outlines that capture aspects of our bodily relationships to the environment and that are metaphorically transferable to nonembodied experiences. The study focuses primarily on the use of embodied concepts to grasp and solve ill‐defined problems. The investigation includes three parts. Part 1 of the first study involved content analysis of public statements by 32 marketing managers who were presented with the ill‐defined problem of describing how the next several years were likely to affect their business. Part 2 involved content analysis of statements by 80 marketing managers who evaluated the public statements of the first set of managers. Study 2 was a field experiment conducted with 68 experienced marketing managers playing a brand‐management simulation game during which concurrent verbal protocols were collected. Results show that embodied‐concept use is common among marketing managers, and that it is influenced by dispositional factors (cognitive‐processing preferences) and environmental factors (managerially controlled cues). © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Frequency of DYT1 mutation in early onset primary dystonia in Italian patients
Authors: Zorzi Giovanna , Garavaglia Barbara , Invernizzi Federica , Girotti Floriano , Soliveri Paola , Zeviani Massimo , Angelini Lucia , Nardocci Nardo
Published: August 2002

Thirty Italian patients with sporadic, early‐onset, primary dystonia were screened for the DYT1 mutation. Five patients were positive (mean age at onset, 8 years); two had the typical phenotype, two a generalised dystonia also involving the cranial muscles, and one a segmental dystonia. In the other 25 patients (mean age at onset, 7.7 years), dystonia was generalised in 22 patients and remained segmental in three. Our results indicate the role of DYT1 mutation in Italian patients and confirm clinical and genetic heterogeneity of early‐onset primary dystonia. © 2002 Movement Disorder Society
Macrogol 3350/electrolyte improves constipation in Parkinson's disease and multiple system atrophy
Authors: Eichhorn Tobias E. , Oertel Wolfgang H.
Published: August 2002

We describe an open study of macrogol 3350 in 10 cases of constipated patients with Parkinson's disease or multiple system atrophy. The agent produced a marked improvement in symptoms in all cases. © 2001 Movement Disorder Society.
[123I]β‐CIT SPECT imaging demonstrates reduced density of striatal dopamine transporters in Parkinson's disease and multiple system atrophy
Authors: Varrone Andrea , Marek Kenneth L. , Jennings Danna , Innis Robert B. , Seibyl John P.
Published: August 2002

In vivo imaging of the dopamine transporter (DAT) with single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) is a quantitative biomarker for Parkinson's disease (PD) onset and severity. This study has examined and compared the loss of striatal DAT in PD and multiple system atrophy (MSA) using [123I]β‐CIT SPECT imaging.

One hundred and eighty‐three patients (157 PD and 26 MSA) were studied. Clinical rating scales (Hoehn and Yahr stage and Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale [UPDRS] scores) demonstrated that the MSA patients were more severely impaired than the PD patients. The striatal [123I]β‐CIT SPECT uptake was markedly reduced in both the PD and MSA groups. In addition, MSA patients showed more symmetric DAT loss compared with the PD patients, consistent with the more symmetric clinical motor dysfunction observed in MSA. While the loss of DAT was significantly reduced in all regions in both MSA and PD, comparison of the relative loss of the DAT did not significantly improve diagnostic accuracy in distinguishing between PD and MSA. © 2001 Movement Disorder Society.
Inhibition of LFA‐1/ICAM‐1 and VLA‐4/VCAM‐1 as a therapeutic approach to inflammation and autoimmune diseases
Authors: Yusuf‐Makagiansar Helena , Anderson Meagan E. , Yakovleva Tatyana V. , Murray Joseph S. , Siahaan Teruna J.
Published: August 2002

This review focuses on providing insights into the structural basis and clinical relevance of LFA‐1 and VLA‐4 inhibition by peptides and small molecules as adhesion‐based therapeutic strategies for inflammation and autoimmune diseases. Interactions of cell adhesion molecules (CAM) play central roles in mediating immune and inflammatory responses. Leukocyte function‐associated antigen (LFA‐1, αLβ2, and CD11a/CD18) and very late antigen (VLA‐4, α4β1, and CD49d/CD29) are members of integrin‐type CAM that are predominantly involved in leukocyte trafficking and extravasation. LFA‐1 is exclusively expressed on leukocytes and interacts with its ligands ICAM‐1, ‐2, and ‐3 to promote a variety of homotypic and heterotypic cell adhesion events required for normal and pathologic functions of the immune systems. VLA‐4 is expressed mainly on lymphocyte, monocytes, and eosinophils, but is not found on neutrophils. VLA‐4 interacts with its ligands VCAM‐1 and fibronectin (FN) CS1 during chronic inflammatory diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, psoriasis, transplant‐rejection, and allergy. Block‐ade of LFA‐1 and VLA‐4 interactions with their ligands is a potential target for immunosuppression. LFA‐1 and VLA‐4 antagonists (antibodies, peptides, and small molecules) are being developed for controlling inflammation and autoimmune diseases. The therapeutic intervention of mostly mAb‐based has been extensively studied. However, due to the challenging relative efficacy/safety ratio of mAb‐based therapy application, especially in terms of systemic administration and immunogenic potential, strategic alternatives in the forms of peptide, peptide mimetic inhibitors, and small molecule non‐peptide antagonists are being sought. Linear and cyclic peptides derived from the sequences of LFA‐1, ICAM‐1, ICAM‐2, VCAM‐1, and FN C1 have been shown to have inhibitory effects in vitro and in vivo. Finally, understanding the mechanism of LFA‐1 and VLA‐4 binding to their ligands has become a fundamental basis in developing therapeutic agents for inflammation and autoimmune diseases. © 2002 John Wiley& Sons, Inc. Med Res Rev, 22, No. 2, 146–167, 2002; DOI 10.1002/med.10001
The cryptophycins: Their synthesis and anticancer activity
Authors: Eggen MariJean , Georg Gunda I.
Published: August 2002

The cryptophycins are a unique family of 16‐membered macrolide antimitotic agents isolated from the cyanobacteria Nostoc sp. Their molecular target is tubulin protein wherein they are the most potent known stabilizers of microtubule dynamics and depolymerize microtubules at higher concentrations. They also deactivate the Bcl2 protein and produce apoptotic response much more quickly and at considerably lower concentrations than clinically utilized compounds. The presence of several amide and ester linkages within the cryptophycin core provides access to very convergent total synthetic approaches. Likewise, the modularity of the structure renders their synthesis amenable to structure‐activity studies in several regions of the molecule. The in vivo hydrolytic instability of the C5 ester was a key obstacle to the successful identification of a clinical candidate. This problem was ameliorated by increased substitution at C6 as in the presence of gem‐dimethyl substitution in the clinical candidate, cryptophycin‐52. © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Med Res Rev, 22, No. 2, 85–101, 2002; DOI 10.1002/med.10002
Peptide hormone binding to G‐protein‐coupled receptors: Structural characterization via NMR techniques
Authors: Mierke Dale F. , Giragossian Craig
Published: August 2002

G‐protein‐coupled receptors (GPCRs) allow cells to respond to calcium, hormones, and neurotransmitters. Not surprisingly, they currently make up the largest family of validated drug targets. Rational drug design for molecular regulators targeting GPCRs has been limited to theoretical‐based computational approaches. X‐ray crystallography of intact GPCRs has provided the topological orientation of the seven transmembrane helices, but limited structural information of the extracellular and intracellular loops and protein termini. In this review we detail an NMR‐based approach which provides the high‐resolution structural features on the extracellular domains of GPCRs and the ligand/receptor complexes formed upon titration of the peptide hormone. The results provide important contact points and a high‐resolution description of the ligand/receptor interactions, which may be useful for the rational design of therapeutic agents targeting GPCRs. Recent results from our investigation of the cholecystokinin peptide hormone system are used to highlight this approach. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Med Res Rev, 21, No. 5, 450–471, 2001
Cyclin‐dependent kinase inhibitors for treating cancer
Authors: Toogood Peter L.
Published: August 2002

Cyclin dependent kinases (Cdks) are essential enzymes for the control of cell cycle progression. Inhibitors of cyclin‐dependent kinases are anticipated to possess therapeutic utility against a wide variety of proliferative diseases, especially cancer. The field of published small molecule Cdk inhibitors is briefly reviewed here as background to a summary of work on a class of pyrido[2,3‐d]pyrimidine Cdk inhibitors. Compounds from this class are described that display potency against cyclin D/Cdk4 up to IC50 = 0.004 μM. Good to moderate selectivity for cyclin D/Cdk4 is also reported for compounds in this structural class. Structure‐activity relationship data are presented for substitution at the C2 and N8 positions and these data are interpreted in the context of a binding model that is based on the Cdk2 crystal structure. A representative cyclin D/Cdk4 inhibitor (compound 56) is demonstrated to selectively inhibit the proliferation of an Rb+ cell line vs. a matched Rb− cell line and to produce a distinct G1 block consistent with cyclin D/Cdk4 inhibition in cells. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Med Res Rev, 21, No. 6, 487–498, 2001
An X‐band TFMS rat‐race coupler using photoimageable thick‐film materials
Authors: Ng C. Y. , Chongcheawchamnan M. , Aftanasar M. S. , Robertson I. D. , Minalgiene J.
Published: August 2002

In this paper, the design and measurement of a 10 GHz thin‐film microstrip (TFMS) rat‐race coupler using a thick‐film photoimageable technology is presented. The fabricated hybrid occupies 2.10 mm×0.61 mm, and offers good performance. This is a promising technology for low‐cost large‐volume multichip modules (MCMs) for future wireless systems. © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 32: 5–7, 2002.
A new wideband printed antenna
Authors: Elhalafawy S. M. , Bahnacy A. I. , Petosa A. , Jiang G. , Antar Y.
Published: August 2002

This paper presents the characteristics of a new wideband printed microstrip antenna. This antenna is designed to operate in the C‐band, with an impedance bandwidth of about 35% around 5 GHz for a standing‐wave ratio (SWR) less than 2. The antenna consists of a probe‐fed segmented patch. A narrow slit is made in the patch around the feed region. Design parameters and results are presented. © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 32: 11–14, 2002.
Influence of a slot on the induced current in a wire inside a conducting box with a square aperture
Authors: Carlsson Jan , Belov Ilja
Published: August 2002

The contribution to the induced current in a wire inside a conducting box due to field penetration through a narrow slot in comparison with the contribution from leakage through a large aperture has been studied. Different placements of the wire have been evaluated in order to find under which circumstances the narrow slot can be neglected in comparison with the large aperture. © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 32: 25–29, 2002.
Design of low‐cost microstrip antenna arrays with parasitic elements to operate in the 3.4–3.6 GHz band
Authors: González García S. , Fernández Pantoja M. , Rubio Bretones A. , Gómez Martín R.
Published: August 2002

In this paper, a robust low‐cost 4×4 microstrip antenna array is designed to be used in wireless communications systems working between 3.4 and 3.6 GHz. A foam substrate, together with a set of parasitic patches in two geometrical configurations, has been used to enhance its bandwidth. The first layout employs a layer of parasitic patches stacked onto the main radiator patch layer, and the second one uses a set of coplanar parasitic patches placed laterally adjacent to the main ones. © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 32: 188–192, 2002.
Application of the concurrent complementary operators method to numerically derived absorbing boundary conditions
Authors: Wu Xin , Ramahi Omar M.
Published: August 2002

The concurrent complementary operators method (C–COM) has been demonstrated to be a highly effective mesh truncation technique for the simulation of electromagnetic open‐region transient or time‐harmonic problems. In previous work, the C–COM was applied to analytically derived absorbing boundary conditions (ABCs). In this work, we show that the C–COM can be applied to the wider class of highly effective and versatile numerically derived ABCs. As a demonstration of the validity of this generalization, we consider the case of a Liao ABC, and show that high accuracy can be obtained. © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 32: 272–275, 2002.
Design of a 2 × 2 MMI MZI SOI electro‐optic switch covering C band and L band
Authors: Tsao Shyh‐Lin , Guo Huang‐Chen , Chen Yi‐Jr
Published: August 2002

This Letter a 2 × 2 multimode interference (MMI) Mach–Zehnder interferometer (MZI) electro‐optic switch is designed for operation at 1.55‐μm wavelength. This electro‐optic switch is designed based on silicon‐on‐insulator (SOI) waveguides. With the use of an SOI phase shifter designed in the MZI switch, a 2 × 2 electro‐optic switch can be achieved on Si substrate. The electro‐optic switch size is only 1 mm long. The 3‐dB operating optical wavelength bandwidth can cover the C and L bands. This wideband MMI MZI electro‐optic switch can be applied in broadband optical fiber communication systems. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 33: 262–265, 2002; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.10292
A study of the selective gate recess etching technology and its effects on the microwave properties of pHEMT
Authors: Hongqin Li , Guanqun Xin , Xiaowei Sun
Published: August 2002

The selective gate recess etching technology has been investigated extensively using citric acid and H2O2 etchant for AlGaAs/InGaAs/GaAs pHEMT in this paper. A suitable ratio of this etchant has been determined by experiment. Then we studied the effect of the gate recess depth on the microwave properties of a 0.8 μm gate length pHEMT. The recess depth was varied by changing the recess etch time, and was measured by Taylor–Hobson test instruments. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 30: 410–412, 2001.
Epidemiologic studies in a population‐based childhood cancer registry in Northeast Hungary
Authors: Jakab Zsuzsanna , Balogh Erzsébet , Kiss Csongor , Oláh Éva
Published: August 2002

Background

Reports on the patterns of childhood cancer incidence are rare in Eastern Europe. To compare incidence rates and trends with international data, we processed records of the regional childhood cancer registry of Northeast Hungary.

Procedure

Our computerized database contains population‐based information on childhood cancer cases (<15 years) diagnosed in residents of two counties of Hungary: leukaemias from 1973, non‐CNS solid tumours from 1978, and CNS tumours from 1984. After a retrospective evaluation of completeness of ascertainment, descriptive epidemiologic analyses were performed for the years of operation of the registry. Age‐standardized annual incidence rates and age‐specific incidences were calculated. Trends were evaluated in linear regression analysis.

Results

The disribution of major histologic groups was similar to those observed in the Western countries with the exception that central nervous system tumours account for a higher percentage (27.3%). Average age‐standardized annual incidence rates were as follows: all types of cancer: 120.7 per million; leukaemia: 37.3; CNS tumours: 31.6; lymphomas: 12.2; sympathetic nervous system tumours: 12.5; kidney tumours: 8.8. Significant increases were observed in incidence of leukaemia (average annual percent change AAPC: 0.7%), acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (AAPC: 1.9%), and all cancer groups (AAPC: 2.6%), but not in acute non‐lymphocytic leukaemia or in CNS tumours. The strongest increases in cancer incidence were detected in the age group of 10–14 years (AAPC: 4.4%) and in infants (AAPC: 12.9%).

Conclusions

Incidences and trends are in accordance with the data in the latest literature, however, the contribution of CNS tumours and the rate of increase in total cancer incidence proved to be higher. Further detailed genetic and environmental studies of cancer registries may shed light on the etiology of the observed differences whether they represent a pattern specific for this region. Med. Pediatr. Oncol. 2002;38:338–344. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
N7‐ and N9‐substituted purine derivatives: a 15N NMR study
Authors: Marek Radek , Brus Jiří , Toušek Jaromír , Kovács Lajos , Hocková Dana
Published: August 2002

The 15N NMR chemical shifts of N7‐ and N9‐substituted purine derivatives were investigated systematically at the natural abundance level of the 15N isotope. The NMR chemical shifts were determined and assigned using GSQMBC, GHMBC, GHMQC and GHSQC experiments in solution. 15N cross‐polarization magic angle spinning data were recorded for selected compounds in order to study the principal values of the 15N chemical shifts. Geometric parameters obtained by using RHF/6–31G** and single‐crystal x‐ray structural analysis were used to calculate the chemical‐shielding constants (GIAO and IGLO) which were then used to assign the nitrogen resonances observed in the solid‐state NMR spectra and to determine the orientation of the principal components of the shift tensors. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Applications of cryogenic NMR probe technology to long‐range 1H‐15N 2D NMR studies at natural abundance
Authors: Crouch Ronald C. , Llanos William , Mehr Knut G. , Hadden Chad E. , Russell David J. , Martin Gary E.
Published: August 2002

The development of new NMR probe technologies has been an active area of research effort for the past decade. Recently, cryogenically cooled NMR probes have been the subject of considerable interest in the light of the large gains in sensitivity and hence savings in spectrometer time that can be realized by utilizing this technology. With low gamma nuclides, such as 15N, time savings may be less of an issue than the ability to work with available samples rather than having to isolate additional material for analysis. Results of 5–10 Hz optimized CIGAR‐HMBC 1H–15N experiments at natural abundance obtained using a 5 mm Varian 1H–15N Cryo‐Q NMR probe are compared with those from a 3 mm gradient inverse triple resonance probe using a 2 mg sample of the oxazolidinone antibiotic eperezolid in a 3 mm NMR tube. Using the cryogenic NMR probe, a 1H–15N CIGAR‐HMBC spectrum in which most previously reported long‐range couplings are observed was recorded in ∼10 min; almost all of the expected long‐range responses were observed within 26 min. Acquiring the same data set with identical parameters using a conventional 3 mm gradient inverse triple resonance probe gave data that were of substantially lower quality. Acquiring data comparable to the 26 min cryogenic probe data with the conventional 3 mm probe required ∼4 h to observe all of the responses and ∼18 h to obtain a spectrum with a signal‐to‐noise ratio comparable to the data set acquired with the cryogenic NMR probe. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Contact vs solvent‐separated ion pairs: a 7Li and 13C solid‐state NMR study of organolithium compounds
Authors: Kühnen Martin , Günther Harald , Amoureux Jean‐Paul , Fernandéz Christian
Published: August 2002

7Li and 13C solid‐state magic angle spinning NMR spectra were measured for three benzyllithium systems, α‐(phenylthio)benzyllithium, α‐phenyl‐α‐lithiodithiane and α‐(trimethylsilyl)benzyllithium, stabilized by different ligands (THF, PMDTA, TMEDA, [12]crown‐4). They were analyzed with respect to the 7Li quadrupole parameters χ(7Li) and η(7Li) and the chemical shifts δ(6,7Li) and δ(13C), respectively. On the basis of X‐ray and solution NMR data from the literature, it is shown that solvent‐separated ion pairs (SIP) can be distinguished from contact ion pairs (CIP) by the different magnitudes of χ(7Li) and typical shifts for δ(6,7Li) and δ(13C). Systems with 2 mol equiv. crown ether ligand [12]crown‐4 exist exclusively as SIP structures and show χ(7Li) values < 50 kHz, whereas for CIP structures we find χ(7Li) > 80 kHz. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Stage‐dependent and alternative splicing of sGnRH messengers in rainbow trout testis during spermatogenesis
Authors: Uzbekova Svetlana , Ferriúre François , Guiguen Yann , Bailhache Thierry , Breton Bernard , Lareyre Jean‐Jacques
Published: August 2002

The gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) has long been considered as a neuropeptide involved in the control of the reproductive cycle. However, the presence of GnRH and its receptors in various tissues, including ovary and testis, suggests a role as autocrine/paracrine factor. In the present study, we report the expression of the sGnRH‐1 and sGnRH‐2 genes encoding salmon GnRH in rainbow trout testis throughout testicular development and spermatogenesis. We demonstrate that both sGnRH mRNA are expressed prior of sexual differentiation. In adult, northern blot analysis indicates that sGnRH‐2 transcripts are expressed in the testis at higher levels than sGnRH‐1 messengers. Moreover, we observed that the expression of sGnRH‐2, and not sGnRH‐1, messengers was stage‐dependent. sGnRH‐2 mRNA expression decreases at the onset and progressively rebounds at the end of spermatogenesis. In addition, we demonstrate that a complex stage‐dependent and differential splicing of the sGnRH‐2 messengers occurs throughout spermatogenesis. We isolated five transcripts corresponding to sGnRH‐2 messengers. Two of them may encode a novel and shortened GnRH‐associated peptide containing 18 residues instead of 46. Our data provide new insight in the putative role of GnRH and GAP peptides as autocrine/paracrine factors of spermatogenesis. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 59:1–10, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Embryonic hatching enzyme strypsin/ISP1 is expressed with ISP2 in endometrial glands during implantation
Authors: O'Sullivan Colleen M. , Liu Shi Ying , Karpinka J. Bradley , Rancourt Derrick E.
Published: August 2002

Embryo hatching and outgrowth are the first critical steps on the way to a successful pregnancy. It is generally held that serine proteases are responsible for this process, although the exact mechanisms of action are not clearly understood. Recently, we described two novel implantation serine proteinase (ISP) genes that are expressed during the implantation period. The ISP1 gene encodes the embryo‐derived enzyme strypsin, which is necessary for blastocyst hatching in vitro and the initiation of invasion. The ISP2 gene, which encodes a related tryptase, is expressed in endometrial glands and is regulated by progesterone during the peri‐implantation period. Based on similarities between ISP2 gene expression and that of a progesterone‐regulated lumenal serine proteinase activity associated with lysis of the zona pellucida, we have suggested that the strypsin related protein, ISP2, may encode a zona lysin proteinase. As tryptases naturally assemble to form tetrameric structures, we have hypothesized that ISP1 and ISP2 tetramerize to form strypsin and lysin, respectively. In this study, we demonstrate that like ISP2, the ISP1 gene is also expressed in endometrial glands and is positively regulated by progesterone during implantation. Using in situ hybridization of adjacent tissue sections, we show that the ISP1 and ISP2 genes are co‐expressed within the endometrial gland. Following evidence that ISP1 and 2 can efficiently form homotetramers and heterotetramers in silico, we suggest that ISP heterotetramers may be also be secreted into the uterine lumen during the implantation period. That the embryonic hatching enzyme, may also be secreted into the uterine lumen from uterus, may provide insight into the mechanisms of hatching and implantation initiation. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 62: 328–334, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Expression of myostatin pro domain results in muscular transgenic mice
Authors: Yang Jinzeng , Ratovitski Tamara , Brady James P. , Solomon Morse B. , Wells Kevin D. , Wall Robert J.
Published: August 2002

Myostatin, a member of the TGF‐β family, negatively regulates skeletal muscle development. Depression of myostatin activity leads to increased muscle growth and carcass lean yield. In an attempt to down‐regulate myostatin, transgenic mice were produced with a ribozyme‐based construct or a myostatin pro domain construct. Though the expression of the ribozyme was detected, muscle development was not altered by the ribozyme transgene. However, a dramatic muscling phenotype was observed in transgenic mice carrying the myostatin pro domain gene. Expression of the pro domain transgene at 5% of β‐actin mRNA levels resulted in a 17–30% increase in body weight (P < 0.001). The carcass weight of the transgenic mice showed a 22–44% increase compared with nontransgenic littermates at 9 weeks of age (16.05 ± 0.67 vs. 11.16 ± 0.28 g in males; 9.99 ± 0.38 vs. 8.19 ± 0.19 g in females, P < 0.001). Extreme muscling was present throughout the whole carcass of transgenic mice as hind and fore limbs and trunk weights, all increased significantly (P < 0.001). Epididymal fat pad weight, an indicator of body fat, was significantly decreased in pro domain transgenic mice (P < 0.001). Analysis of muscle morphology indicated that cross‐sectional areas of fast‐glycolytic fibers (gastrocnemius) and fast‐oxidative glycolytic fibers (tibialis) were larger in pro domain transgenic mice than in their controls (P < 0.01), whereas fiber number (gastrocnemius) was not different (P > 0.05). Thus, the muscular phenotype is attributable to myofiber hypertrophy rather than hyperplasia. The results of this study suggest that the over‐expression of myostatin pro domain may provide an alternative to myostatin knockouts as a means of increasing muscle mass in other mammals. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 60: 351–361, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Real‐time imaging of β‐lactoglobulin‐targeted luciferase activity in the mammary glands of transgenic mice
Authors: Barash Itamar , Reichenstein Moshe
Published: August 2002

This study was aimed at establishing a new platform for real‐time monitoring of milk‐protein gene expression in the mammary glands. A transgenic reporter composed of the β‐lactoglobulin (BLG)/luciferase hybrid gene was targeted to the mammary glands of pregnant and lactating mice and luciferase activity was imaged in vivo with a low‐light imaging system. The mammary glands of a 17‐day pregnant mouse occupied an area comparable to that of a 6‐day lactating mouse. Nevertheless, the intensity of the luciferase signal was much weaker and confined to regions in the inguinal and thoracic glands. A few small and defined locations of higher expression were also detected, indicating diversity in the initiation of this transgenic milk protein expression. In the lactating mice, high inter‐ and intra‐heterogeneity among regions in a particular gland and among glands was demonstrated, and confirmed by ex vivo analysis of luciferase activity in mammary biopsies. The lack of correlation between luciferase activities and levels of β‐casein accumulation in these biopsies resulted, most probably, from the longer half‐life of the native milk protein, compared to the activity of the transgenic marker in the tissue. Unilateral sealing of mammary glands for 4 hr resulted in complete abrogation of luciferase activity, establishing the BLG/luciferase transgene as a reliable tool to follow short‐term stimuli. Dispersed mammary epithelial cells preserved luciferase activity in culture, and thus could be used for following mammary gland development after re‐implantation. The bioluminescence‐based methodology presented here eliminates averaging of heterogeneity in gene expression among glands, and misinterpretations resulting from sampling biopsies taken from inactive regions. Imaging luciferase expression in the mammary glands may enable an accurate monitoring of milk‐protein gene expression during cyclic periods of development and apoptosis in a limited number of animals, and could be applied for reporting the consequences of selected drugs on milk‐protein gene expression. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 61: 42–48, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Carbohydrate‐based interactions of oviductal sperm reservoir formation—studies in the pig
Authors: Wagner Andrea , Ekhlasi‐Hundrieser Mahnaz , Hettel Christiane , Petrunkina Anna , Waberski Dagmar , Nimtz Manfred , Töpfer‐Petersen Edda
Published: August 2002

Competitive inhibition of sperm to explants of the oviductal epithelium was used to study the complementary receptor system that may be involved in the establishment of the oviductal sperm reservoir in the pig. Sperm binding to the oviductal explants is expressed as Binding Index (BI = sperm cells/0.01 mm2). From a set of glycoproteins with known oligosaccharide structures, only asialofetuin and ovalbumin showed inhibitory activity, indicating that ovalbumin may block high affinity binding sites (IC50 ≅ 1.3 μM) and asialofetuin low affinity sites (IC50 ≅ 18 μM) of the complementary receptor systems, whereas fetuin carrying terminal sialic acid has no effect. Ovalbumin glycopeptides were isolated by Con A affinity chromatography and reverse‐phase HPLC following tryptic digestion. Glycopeptides and enzymatically released glycans were analyzed by MS, and were shown to represent preferentially the two high mannose type glycans (Man)5(GlcNAc)2and (Man)6(GlcNAc)2, and as a minor component the hybrid type glycan (Hex)4(GlcNAc)5. Glycopeptides (84% inhibition) and glycans (81% inhibition) significantly reduced sperm‐oviduct binding at a concentration of 3 μM, whereas the deglycosylated peptides showed no inhibitory activity. Mannopentaose (IC50 ≅ 0.8 μM) representing the oligomannose residue of the high mannose glycans of ovalbumin was as effective as ovalbumin. These data indicate that the carboyhdrate‐based mechanisms underlying the formation of the oviductal sperm reservoir in the pig is the result of the concerted action of at least the high‐affinity binding sites for oligomannose or nonreducing terminal mannose residues and low‐affinity binding of galactose. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 61: 249–257, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Improved subtraction by adiabatic FAIR perfusion imaging
Authors: Schepers Janneke , Garwood Michael , van der Sanden Boudewijn , Nicolay Klaas
Published: August 2002

For pulsed arterial spin labeling techniques (e.g., FAIR), mismatches between the imaging and inversion slice profile result in a nonperfusion‐related offset. Several methods have been proposed to reduce subtraction errors in FAIR imaging. Here an acquisition method for FAIR experiments based on adiabatic principles is proposed. It is shown that with adiabatic pulses the same pulse can be used for labeling and echo refocusing, thereby reducing the mismatch between imaging and labeling slice. A twofold reduction in subtraction errors compared to 5‐lobe sinc excitation was shown both experimentally and by simulation. Magn Reson Med 47:330–336, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Comparison of diffusion‐weighted high‐resolution CBF and spin‐echo BOLD fMRI at 9.4 T
Authors: Lee Sang‐Pil , Silva Afonso C. , Kim Seong‐Gi
Published: August 2002

The quantification of blood oxygenation‐level dependent (BOLD) functional MRI (fMRI) signals is closely related to cerebral blood flow (CBF) change; therefore, understanding the exact relationship between BOLD and CBF changes on a pixel‐by‐pixel basis is fundamental. In this study, quantitative CBF changes induced by neural activity were used to quantify BOLD signal changes during somatosensory stimulation in α‐chloralose‐anesthetized rats. To examine the influence of fast‐moving vascular spins in quantifying CBF, bipolar gradients were employed. Our data show no significant difference in relative CBF changes obtained with and without bipolar gradients. To compare BOLD and CBF signal changes induced by neural stimulation, a spin‐echo (SE) sequence with long SE time of 40 ms at 9.4 T was used in conjunction with an arterial spin labeling technique. SE BOLD changes were quantitatively correlated to CBF changes on a pixel‐by‐pixel and animal‐by‐animal basis. Thus, SE BOLD‐based fMRI at high magnetic fields allows a quantitative comparison of functional brain activities across brain regions and subjects. Magn Reson Med 47:736–741, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Visualization of neural tissue water compartments using biexponential diffusion tensor MRI
Authors: Inglis B.A. , Bossart E.L. , Buckley D.L. , Wirth E.D. , Mareci T.H.
Published: August 2002

The apparent diffusion tensor (ADT) imaging method was extended to account for multiple diffusion components. A biexponential ADT imaging experiment was used to obtain separate images of rapidly and slowly diffusing water fractions in excised rat spinal cord. The fast and slow component tensors were compared and found to exhibit similar gross features, such as fractional anisotropy, in both white and gray matter. However, there were also some important differences, which are consistent with the different structures occupying intracellular and extracellular spaces. Evidence supporting the assignment of the two tensor components to extracellular and intracellular water fractions is provided by an NMR spectroscopic investigation of homogeneous samples of brain tissue. Magn Reson Med 45:580–587, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Single‐voxel oversampled J‐resolved spectroscopy of in vivo human prostate tissue
Authors: Swanson Mark G. , Vigneron Daniel B. , Tran Tuan‐Khanh C. , Sailasuta Napapon , Hurd Ralph E. , Kurhanewicz John
Published: August 2002

Single‐voxel J‐resolved spectroscopy with oversampling in the F1 dimension was used to obtain water unsuppressed 1H spectra of in situ human prostate tissue in 40 previously untreated prostate cancer patients. Based on T2‐weighted MRI and previous biopsy information, voxels were placed in regions of benign or malignant peripheral zone tissue, or in regions of predominantly glandular or stromal benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) within the central gland. The addition of a second J‐resolved dimension allowed for the observation of the J‐modulation of citrate, as well as the resolution of polyamines from overlapping choline and creatine signals. Regions of healthy peripheral zone tissue and glandular BPH all demonstrated high levels of citrate and polyamines, with consistent coupling and J‐modulation patterns. Conversely, regions of malignant peripheral zone tissue and stromal BPH demonstrated low levels of citrate and polyamines consistent with prior in vivo and ex vivo studies. Moreover, water T2 relaxation times determined for healthy peripheral zone tissue (mean 128 ± 15.2 msec) were significantly different than for malignant peripheral zone tissue (mean 88.0 ± 14.2 msec, P = 0.005), as well as for predominantly glandular (mean 92.4 ± 12.2 msec, P = 0.009) and stromal BPH (mean 70.9 ± 12.1 msec, P = 0.003). This preliminary study demonstrates that J‐resolved spectroscopy of the in situ prostate can be acquired, and the information obtained from the second spectral dimension can provide additional physiologic information from human prostate tissue in a reasonable amount of time (< 10 min). Magn Reson Med 45:973–980, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
On T2‐shortening by weakly magnetized particles: The chemical exchange model†
Authors: Brooks Rodney A. , Moiny Francis , Gillis Pierre
Published: August 2002

Chemical exchange (CE) theory is compared with two theories of T2‐shortening caused by microscopic magnetic centers: inner‐ and outer‐sphere relaxation theory (long‐echo limit) and mean gradient diffusion theory (short‐echo limit). The CE equation is shown to be identical to these theories in the respective limits and appropriate parameter relationships are derived for spherical particles. The theories are then compared with computer simulations of spherical particles and with a recent general theory, with good agreement in the asymptotic regions. The CE model also reproduces the essential relaxation characteristics in the intermediate range. Finally, good agreement of a CE model with simulations for magnetized cylinders is also demonstrated. The discussion is limited to weakly magnetized particles such that the maximum phase shift during an echo interval is less than one radian, permitting the use of the Luz‐Meiboom CE equation. Magn Reson Med 45:1014–1020, 2001. Published 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.