bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Early complications following total gastrectomy for gastric cancer*
Authors: Budišin Nikola , Budišin Evica , Golubović Andrija
Published: August 2002

Background

The study shows operative results with complications occurring in first 30 days after total gastrectomy for stomach cancer.

Methods:

A retrospective analysis was performed using medical documentation and histological findings for 76 patients after total gastrectomy was done between 1990 and 1997. Mortality and postoperative complications were analyzed. Complications were sorted as specific and nonspecific. All operations were performed either for intestinal gastric cancer located in proximal stomach or for diffuse stomach cancer. All anastomoses were hand sewn.

Results:

There were 43 male and 33 female patients. Postoperative mortality was 14.4%. The most frequent complications were dehiscence of the oesophago‐jejunal anastomosis in 15.8% of operated patients, postoperative temperature without apparent infection in 5.2%, thrombophlebitis in 5.2%, pneumothorax in 3.9%, hepatic necrosis in one patient (1.3%), and perforation of jejunal loop with nasogastric tube in another (1.3%) ended fatally. The average postoperative intra‐hospital treatment lasted 12.3 days. Dehiscence of the oesophago‐enteric anastomosis, resulted in generalized peritonitis in 66.6%. Six patients succumbed as a consequence, while two survived with subphrenic and interenteric abscesses. Pneumothorax in combination with total gastrectomy was always fatal.

Conclusions:

Routine use of stapling surgery, subspecialization in surgery, and better early intensive care monitoring and treatment could reduce the mortality rate. J. Surg. Oncol. 2001; 77:35–41. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Targeting liver tumors with hyperthermia: Ferromagnetic embolization in a rabbit liver tumor model
Authors: Moroz Paul , Jones Stephen K. , Winter Jillean , Gray Bruce N.
Published: August 2002

Background and Objectives:

Ferromagnetic embolization hyperthermia (FEH) consists of arterially embolizing liver tumors with ferromagnetic particles, and then applying an external alternating magnetic field to generate hysteretic heating within the embolized particles. The objective of this study was to assess the ability of FEH to selectively target liver tumors with hyperthermia.

Methods:

Twenty rabbits containing hepatic VX2 carcinomas were arterially infused with ferromagnetic particles suspended in lipiodol, and then exposed to an external alternating magnetic field. Temperatures in the tumor, normal hepatic parenchyma (NHP), and rectum were recorded. Tumour and NHP were chemically analyzed for iron content, which was then correlated with the observed heating rates.

Results:

The mean tumor‐to‐NHP iron concentration ratio was 5.3:1 (P < 0.001, N = 20). The mean tumor heating rates were 3.0–11.5 times greater than those in the NHP (P < 0.001, N = 20). After 5 min of heating, the greatest increase in mean tumor temperature was 11.0°C and the greatest increase in mean NHP temperature was 1.3°C. There was a positive relationship between tumor iron concentration and heating rate (correlation coefficient = 0.82, P < 0.001, N = 20). A tumor iron concentration of 2–3 mg/g resulted in tumor heating rates of 0.5–1.0°C/min.

Conclusions:

Hepatic arterial infusion of lipiodol containing ferromagnetic particles can result in excellent targeting of liver tumors with hyperthermia on the subsequent application of an external alternating magnetic field. The promising results of this study warrant further investigation of FEH as a potential treatment for advanced liver cancer. J. Surg. Oncol. 2001;78:22–29. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Expression of L‐type amino acid transporter 1 (LAT1) and 4F2 heavy chain (4F2hc) in liver tumor lesions of rat models
Authors: Ohkame Hirohisa , Masuda Hideki , Ishii Yukimoto , Kanai Yoshikatsu
Published: August 2002

Background and Objectives

It has been said that amino acid transporters play an important role in supplying nutrition to cells and for cell proliferation. In this study, we examined whether LAT1 and 4F2hc are closely related to tumor growth.

Methods

Rat colon cancer cells (RCN‐9) were injected into the spleen of 12 male rats (inbred F344/DuCrj). In each rat, liver samples including tumor lesions were immunostained with anti‐LAT1 and anti‐4F2hc antibodies. The staining area of LAT1 and 4F2hc tumor lesions was calculated by computer analysis.

Results

Sixty‐eight tumor nodules were observed in 12 livers. Out of the 68 tumor nodules, 36 nodules (52.9%) indicated a positive staining of LAT1 and 32 (47.1%) had a negative staining of LAT1. However, the LAT1 expression was scarcely detected in non‐tumor areas. In terms of the 4F2hc expression, there were 56 nodules (82.4%) with 4F2hc positive and 12 (17.6) with 4F2hc negative. In addition, the expression of 4F2hc in non‐tumor areas was almost the same as the expression of 4F2hc in tumor lesions. The average tumor size of the group with LAT1 positive and 4F2hc positive (n = 31) was 0.845 ± 0.232 mm2, which was significantly larger than that of the group with LAT1 negative and 4F2hc negative group (n = 7) (0.090 ± 0.028 mm2) or the group with LAT1 positive and 4F2hc negative (n = 5) (0.097 ± 0.025 mm2), respectively (P = 0.0017, P = 0.007).

Conclusion

LAT1 was related to tumor growth. We think that LAT1 can possibly enhance its ability to promote tumor growth in cooperation with 4F2hc. J. Surg. Oncol. 2001;78:265–272. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Reactions of methyl radicals with isobutane at temperatures between 800 and 950 kelvin
Authors: Goos Elke , Hippler Horst , Hoyermann Karlheinz , Jürges Bettina
Published: August 2002

The methyl radical induced pyrolysis of isobutane has been studied in the temperature range of 800–950 K and at pressures of 80 and 130 mbar. We used CO2‐laser induced heating by fast vibrational–translational (V–T) energy transfer from SF6 to the reaction mixture. This is a convenient method to study homogeneous high temperature kinetics since the reactor walls remain cold. The radial temperature distribution in the reactor has been investigated by four different methods: stationary heat balance, optical absorption, pressure rise, and the temperature dependence of the rate of an isomerization reaction. Methyl radicals were produced in the presence of isobutane via the fast thermal decomposition of di‐tert‐butyl‐peroxide and the products were analyzed using gas chromatography and mass spectroscopy. The main products of the overall reaction were propene (C3H6) and isobutene (i‐C4H8), whereas ethene (C2H4), propane (C3H8), neo‐ pentane (neo‐C5H12), and isopentane (i‐C5H12) were minor products. The product distribution showed strong temperature dependence. The product yields and their temperature dependence were analyzed by a kinetic model developed for the high temperature oxidation of n‐butane and the low temperature oxidation of n‐pentane, and isopentane. We included a few missing reactions and slightly adjusted some rate constants to obtain a better agreement between the modeling and the experiments. The extended mechanism consists of 63 species and 171 reactions to be evaluated further in forthcoming experiments. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 33: 732–740, 2001
Wind erosion: the perspective of grass‐roots communities in the Sahel
Authors: Bielders C. L. , Alvey S. , Cronyn N.
Published: August 2002

Under the harsh conditions prevailing in the West African Sahel, farmers must deal with a range of environmental and socio‐economic issues that constrain agriculture. Although scientific evidence indicates that wind erosion is potentially a major land degradation process, little is known about the Sahelian farmer's perception of the relative importance of wind erosion as a constraint to agricultural production. A village‐level survey was therefore undertaken to assess farmers' views about the relative importance of perceived constraints to agricultural production in 41 villages across Niger. During the interviews, the communities' views were also recorded regarding the causes and consequences of wind erosion as well as known wind erosion control measures. Wind erosion ranked eighth overall and was listed by male farmers among the top 10 constraints in 54 per cent of the villages. It was perceived by male farmers to be a moderate to high constraint in 39 per cent of the villages but was not considered important by female farmers. Wind erosion ranked third among environmental constraints, behind drought and soil fertility. Wind erosion related health problems were generally of more concern than crop damage or loss of topsoil by wind erosion. Deforestation, removal of crop residue and land‐clearing practices were identified by farmers as major contributors to soil losses by wind. To address this issue, at least 10 different low‐cost technologies are currently being implemented by farmers, including leaving crop residue in the field, mulching and natural regeneration of vegetation. The survey results indicate that farmers are well aware of the overriding importance of their management practices, as opposed to climatic factors, on the current extent of wind erosion. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Unique features of optical scanning, single fiber endoscopy***
Authors: Seibel Eric J. , Smithwick Quinn Y. J.
Published: August 2002

Background and Objective

To advance the field of minimally invasive medical procedures, an ideal endoscope should provide high‐resolution images with variable magnification from an ultra‐thin package, while adding depth cues and integrating optical diagnoses and therapies. Satisfying all these requirements is extremely difficult using commercial endoscopes. A new imaging technology is introduced that uses directed laser illumination, which is scanned at the distal end of a flexible endoscope.

Study Design/Materials and Methods

A singlemode optical fiber is driven in vibratory resonance using a piezoelectric actuator. The emitted laser light is scanned in two‐dimensions over test specimens. Digital images are constructed by detecting optical power one pixel at a time.

Results

Unique features of the fiber scanning scope are rapidly changing magnification, enhanced topographic detail, and concurrent fluorescence imaging, which are demonstrated and discussed.

Conclusion

This fiber scanning scope has the potential for pixel‐accurate delivery of high quality laser radiation, allowing the future integration of imaging with diagnosis and therapy. Lasers Surg. Med. 30:177‐183, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Decision constraints and consideration‐set formation in consumer durables
Authors: Punj Girish , Brookes Richard
Published: August 2002

The central argument of this article is that the initial phases of the consumer decision process have a major effect on product evaluation and choice. Specifically, the need‐arousal event and the consequent retrieval of product‐related decision constraints from memory substantially influence the ensuing processes of external information search and alternative evaluation. Several hypotheses based on previous experimental research are formulated to capture these influences. Survey data from a large sample of new automobile buyers in New Zealand are used to test the hypotheses. The results suggest that the product‐related decision constraints that are activated as a consequence of problem recognition significantly change the remainder of the purchase process. The findings have important implications for understanding how consideration sets are formed. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Modulation of cyclophilin gene expression by N‐4‐(hydroxyphenyl)retinamide: Association with reactive oxygen species generation and apoptosis*
Authors: Hursting Stephen D. , Shen Jian‐cheng , Sun Xiao‐Ya , Wang Thomas T.Y. , Phang James M. , Perkins Susan N.
Published: August 2002

To explore the mechanisms underlying the pro‐apoptotic effects of the synthetic retinoid N‐4‐(hydroxyphenyl)retinamide (4‐HPR) on LNCaP human prostate cancer cells, we used the differential display–polymerase chain reaction (DD‐PCR) technique to identify 4‐HPR–responsive genes. RNA extracted from LNCaP cells that had been treated for 24 h with 4‐HPR at a dose (2.5 μM) optimal for apoptosis induction was used for DD‐PCR analysis using random primers. A differentially expressed 115 bp fragment was cloned and sequenced and then identified in GenBank as having a high degree of homology with several members of the cyclophilin gene family. Northern blot analyses using specific probes for cyclophilin A, cyclophilin D, and the cloned 115‐bp fragment were performed on RNA extracted from LNCaP cells and MCF‐7 human breast cancer cells treated with 4‐HPR, N‐acetylcysteine (NAC, an anti‐oxidant), 4‐HPR plus NAC, cyclosporin A, R‐1881 (a synthetic androgen), dehydroepiandrosterone, all‐trans retinoic acid, or prednisone. 4‐HPR downregulated the transcript detected by the 115‐bp fragment. Expression patterns detected by the 115‐bp fragment and cyclophilin D probes were identical in response to each treatment; none of these treatments affected cyclophilin A expression. Furthermore, expression of mRNA transcripts detected by the 115‐bp fragment and cyclophilin D probes correlated with the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), as detected by measurement of 2,7‐dichlorofluorescein oxidation. Therefore, members of the cyclophilin gene family, such as cyclophilin D (a component of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore previously linked with oxidative stress and apoptosis), may play a role in the ROS‐mediated apoptotic effects of 4‐HPR. Published 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Correlation of p27 protein expression with HER‐2/neu expression in breast cancer
Authors: Newman Lisa , Xia Weiya , Yang Heng‐Yin , Sahin Aysegal , Bondy Melissa , Lukmanji Farzana , Hung Mien‐Chie , Lee Mong‐Hong
Published: August 2002

Strong expression of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER‐2)/neu in breast cancer has been associated with poor prognosis. Reduced expression of p27Kip1, a cyclin‐dependent kinase inhibitor, correlates with poor clinical outcome in breast cancer. In this study, we provide a correlation between these two important prognostic markers in patients with breast cancer. Breast tumor screening using immunohistochemistry indicated that downregulation of p27 correlated with HER‐2/neu overexpression in studying 11 normal breast tissues and 51 primary breast carcinomas. We found HER‐2/neu protein overexpression in 20 (41%) of 49 breast cancers and low p27 protein expression in 47 (92%) of 51 breast cancers. All 20 (100%) of the tumors that overexpressed HER‐2/neu had low levels of p27 protein product; this correlation was statistically significant (P = 0.035). Decreasing p27 expression correlated with increasing HER‐2/neu activity. Our results suggest that one function of the HER‐2/neu product is to downregulate p27 expression in breast cancer. This study may be significant in selecting patients for HER‐2/neu antibody therapy in the future. Mol. Carcinog. 30:169–175, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Deregulated expression of DP1 induces epidermal proliferation and enhances skin carcinogenesis
Authors: Wang Dawei , Russell Jamie , Xu Hui , Johnson David G.
Published: August 2002

E2F transcription factors have been implicated in several cellular processes, including proliferation, apoptosis, and oncogenic transformation. A functional E2F factor consists of a heterodimer containing an E2F polypeptide (E2F1–E2F6) and a DRTF1‐polypeptide (DRTF1‐polypeptide‐1 (DP1) or DRTF1‐polypeptide‐2). It is the E2F subunit that supplies the transcriptional activation domain and the motif involved in binding to members of the retinoblastoma tumor suppressor family. The role of the DP subunit in regulating E2F‐dependent activities is not completely understood. To examine the properties of DP1 in vivo, we generated transgenic mouse lines expressing DP1 under the control of a keratin 5 (K5) promoter. Overexpression of DP1 in basal layer keratinocytes caused mild hyperplasia and hyperproliferation of the epidermis but did not result in increased apoptosis or spontaneous tumor development. Coexpression of DP1 with E2F1 or E2F4 in the epidermis of bigenic mice modestly enhanced proliferation and apoptosis over the levels induced by E2F1 or E2F4 expression alone. In a two‐stage chemical carcinogenesis assay, more and larger skin tumors developed in K5 DP1 transgenic mice than in nontransgenic mice. These findings show that in this in vivo model, deregulated expression of DP1 on its own induced proliferation and enhanced carcinogenesis. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Elevated furin expression in aggressive human head and neck tumors and tumor cell lines
Authors: Bassi Daniel E. , Mahloogi Haleh , Al‐Saleem Luma , Lopez De Cicco Ricardo , Ridge John A. , Klein‐Szanto Andres J. P.
Published: August 2002

Pro‐protein convertases (PCs) are proteases that recognize and cleave precursor proteins. Furin, a well‐studied PC, is ubiquitously expressed, and it has been implicated in many physiological and pathological processes. Some substrates for furin, such as membrane type 1 (MT1) matrix metalloproteinase (MMP), an MMP that activates gelatinase, a collagen‐degrading enzyme, are associated with the advanced malignant phenotype. This report examines the expression of furin in carcinoma cell lines of different invasive ability. The levels of furin mRNA and protein correlated with the aggressiveness of tumor cell lines derived from head and neck and lung cancers. Furin expression also was investigated in primary head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs). Furin mRNA was not detected in nonmetastasizing carcinomas. In contrast, furin mRNA was expressed in metastasizing HNSCCs. Immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis confirmed these results at the protein level. Furin activity was investigated indirectly by evaluating the expression of the pro‐form and the processed form of MT1‐MMP. Metastasizing HNSCCs showed increased expression of MT1‐MMP. Furthermore, pro‐MT1‐MMP expression was noted in most of the nonmetastasizing HNSCCs analyzed by Western blot, and it was absent in the metastasizing HNSCCs. This finding suggests a lower level of furin‐mediated MT1‐MMP activation in the less aggressive cancers. These observations indicate that furin plays a role in tumor progression. Its overexpression in more aggressive or metastasizing cancers resulted in increased MMP processing. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
KAI1, A prostate metastasis suppressor: Prediction of solvated structure and interactions with binding partners; integrins, cadherins, and cell‐surface receptor proteins†
Authors: Bienstock Rachelle J. , Barrett J. Carl
Published: August 2002

The solution structure of the transmembrane‐4 superfamily protein KAI1, a recently identified prostate cancer metastasis suppressor gene that encodes a 267–amino acid protein, was modeled. The structure of this four‐helical transmembrane protein was developed by defining and modeling sections individually. A complete three‐dimensional structure for the solvated protein was developed by combining the individually modeled sections. The four‐helix transmembrane bundle structure was predicted combining information from several methods including Fourier transform analysis of residue variability for helix orientation. The structure of the KAI1 large extracellular domain was modeled based on the solved crystal structure of the extracellular domain of another tetraspanin superfamily protein member, CD81 (hepatitis C virus envelope E2 glycoprotein receptor). This is a novel protein fold consisting of five alpha helices held together by two disulfide bonds for which the CD81 protein is the first solved representative. Molecular dynamics studies were performed to test stability and to relax the total model KAI1 structure's solution. The resulting KAI1 structural model should be a useful tool for predicting modes of self‐association and associations with other TM4SF proteins, integrins, cadherins, and other KAI1 binding partners. Mutations for probing the interactions of KAI1 with antibodies and with other binding partners are suggested. Published 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The marketing of industrial real estate: application of Taguchi loss functions
Authors: Festervand Troy A. , Kethley R. Bryan , Waller Bennie D.
Published: August 2002

The marketing of industrial real estate is a resource‐consuming endeavour for all parties involved consisting of many objectives that, in many cases, may be in conflict with one another. One method of minimizing resource requirements, especially time, while increasing the probability of a successful match is to select properties for presentation that maximizes buyer utility. Zionts (1992) indicated one area for future research in multiple criteria decision‐making (MCDM) is in the development of ‘Eclectic Approaches’ using old ideas in a new way to help develop MCDM approaches. In this paper Taguchi loss functions, a procedure commonly used in quality control, is proposed as a tool that can be used by industrial real estate professionals to more efficiently determine the property that most closely matches the buyer's needs. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Towards a behavioral ecology of consumption: delay‐reduction effects on foraging in a simulated Internet mall
Authors: Rajala Amy K , Hantula Donald A
Published: August 2002

Young adults shopped for music compact disks in a five store simulated Internet mall. In stock probability in all stores was constant at 0.80, but each store was associated with either a 0.5, 2, 4, 8, or 16 second to a feedback message indicating whether a particular disk was in stock or out of stock at that time. Working under a successive choice schedule, in Phase I subjects' behavior was in quantitative concordance with the Delay‐Reduction Hypothesis (DRH), and in Phase II, when a changeover delay was added, subjects' behavior conformed more closely to the predictions of the DRH. Hyperbolic discount functions provided the best fit to the data. This study extends the synthesis of foraging theory and operant psychology, known as behavioral ecology, to human consumption in an affluent post‐industrial culture, and provides the basis for an experimental analysis of human consumption. Extensions to research in consumer behavior, marketing strategy, and behavior on Internet services are proposed. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Clinical, neuropsychological, and morphometric correlates of apathy in Parkinson's disease
Authors: Isella Valeria , Melzi Paola , Grimaldi Marco , Iurlaro Simona , Piolti Roberto , Ferrarese Carlo , Frattola Lodovico , Appollonio Ildebrando
Published: August 2002

Apathy is a salient feature of various neuropsychiatric disorders, from depression to Alzheimer's disease. We formally assess its prevalence in idiopathic Parkinson's disease (PD) together with its clinical, neuropsychological, and morphometric correlates. Thirty patients with PD and 25 normal controls were assessed using an extensive neuropsychological battery and Marin's Apathy Scale; parkinsonian patients also underwent MRI scan, followed by linear measurement of various frontotemporal structures. Approximately 45% of the PD sample showed apathy. For comparison analysis, given the unimodal distribution of the apathy scores, the PD sample was divided into three groups on the basis of the apathy tertiles. All three PD groups had worse cognitive and depression scores than controls, whereas they did not differ in terms of demographic, neurological, general cognitive, or affective features. By contrast, a significant positive association was found between apathy scores and performance on tests of executive function. As regards the morphometric data, we failed to find any specific measure of frontotemporal atrophy correlating with the presence or severity of apathy. Thus, apathy seems to be a frequent and important companion of PD, in many cases probably due to a primary motivational impairment, possibly related to a frontosubcortical dysfunction. © 2002 Movement Disorder Society.
The natural history of embouchure dystonia
Authors: Frucht Steven J. , Fahn Stanley , Greene Paul E. , O'Brien Christopher , Gelb Michael , Truong Daniel D. , Welsh John , Factor Stewart , Ford Blair
Published: August 2002

Focal task‐specific dystonias are unusual disorders of motor control, often affecting individuals who perform complex repetitive movements. Musicians are especially prone to develop these disorders because of their training regimens and intense practice schedules. Task‐specific dystonia occurring in keyboard or string instrumentalists usually affects the hand. In contrast, there have been few descriptions of musicians with task‐specific dystonia affecting the muscles of the face and jaw. We report detailed clinical observations of 26 professional brass and woodwind players afflicted with focal task‐specific dystonia of the embouchure (the pattern of lip, jaw, and tongue muscles used to control the flow of air into a mouthpiece). This is the largest and most comprehensively studied series of such patients. Patients developed embouchure dystonia in the fourth decade, and initial symptoms were usually limited to one range of notes or style of playing. Once present, dystonia progressed without remission and responded poorly to oral medications and botulinum toxin injection. Patients with embouchure dystonia could be separated by the pattern of their abnormal movements into several groups, including embouchure tremor, involuntary lip movements, and jaw closure. Dystonia not infrequently spread to other oral tasks, often producing significant disability. Effective treatments are needed for this challenging and unusual disorder. © 2001 Movement Disorder Society.
Hysterectomy, menopause, and estrogen use preceding Parkinson's disease: An exploratory case‐control study
Authors: Benedetti Maria D. , Maraganore Demetrius M. , Bower James H. , McDonnell Shannon K. , Peterson Brett J. , Ahlskog J. Eric , Schaid Daniel J. , Rocca Walter A.
Published: August 2002

We studied the association of Parkinson's disease (PD) with type of menopause (natural or surgical), age at menopause, and postmenopausal estrogen replacement therapy using a case‐control design. We used the medical records‐linkage system of the Rochester Epidemiology Project to identify 72 women who developed PD in Olmsted County, MN, during the twenty years 1976–1995. Each incident case was matched by age (± 1 year) to a general population control subject. We collected exposure data through review of the complete medical records of cases and control subjects in the system. PD cases had undergone hysterectomy (with or without unilateral oophorectomy) significantly more often than control subjects (odds ratio [OR] = 3.36; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.05–10.77). In addition, PD cases had experienced early menopause (≤ 46 years) more commonly than control subjects (OR = 2.18; 95% CI = 0.88–5.39). Finally, PD cases had used estrogens orally or parenterally for at least 6 months after menopause less frequently (8%) than control subjects (14%; OR = 0.47; 95% CI = 0.12–1.85). However, the findings for early menopause and estrogen replacement therapy were not statistically significant. Despite the limited sample size of this exploratory study, we hypothesize that there is an increased risk of PD in conditions causing an early reduction in endogenous estrogen. This hypothesis needs to be confirmed in a larger study. © 2001 Movement Disorder Society.
Rivastigmine in the treatment of parkinsonian psychosis and cognitive impairment: Preliminary findings from an open trial
Authors: Reading Paul J. , Luce Anna K , McKeith Ian G.
Published: August 2002

This open study assessed the ability of rivastigmine to treat the neuropsychiatric complications of advanced Parkinson's disease. In a group of 12 patients, hallucinations, sleep disturbance, and carer distress were all improved and cognitive performance significantly enhanced by the drug. © 2001 Movement Disorder Society.
A (3+1)‐dimensional Painlevé integrable model obtained by deformation
Authors: Yu Jun , Lou Zhimei
Published: August 2002

To find some non‐trivial higher‐dimensional integrable models (especially in (3+1) dimensions) is one of the most important problems in non‐linear physics. An efficient deformation method to obtain higher‐dimensional integrable models is proposed. Starting from (2+1)‐dimensional linear wave equation, a (3+1)‐dimensional non‐trivial non‐linear equation is obtained by using a non‐invertible deformation relation. Further, the Painlevé integrability of the resulting model is also proved. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
FDTD simulations for hybrid circuits with linear and nonlinear lumped elements
Authors: Yuan Weiliang , Li Erping
Published: August 2002

In this paper, hybrid circuits with lumped elements, including a capacitor, inductor, and diode, are analyzed with the finite‐difference time‐domain (FDTD) method, and alternative algorithms for FDTD simulations of those elements are proposed, respectively. An integral formulation for the capacitor and a differential one for the inductor make it possible that any concatenations of multiple lumped elements can be inserted into one Yee cell in FDTD simulations. An algorithm for the diode is also modified to extend the dynamic range of its 3‐D FDTD simulation. Then, several hybrid circuits with different concatenations of lumped elements are analyzed by using the FDTD method. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 32: 408–412, 2002.
A three‐stage microwave‐assisted drying model based on the dielectric properties of laminar materials: Theoretical development and validation
Authors: Monzó‐Cabrera J. , Catalá‐Civera J. M. , Díaz‐Morcillo A. , Sánchez‐Hernández D. , Plaza‐González P. J. , De los Reyes E.
Published: August 2002

In this work, a very simple and accurate model for the microwave‐assisted drying of laminar bodies, based on their dielectric properties, is developed and tested over a laminar material such as leather. Several assumptions are made to simplify the obtained expressions. The results show that the correct determination of the dielectric properties as well as the internal characteristics of the solid are very relevant in order to achieve a correct modeling of the drying process. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 32: 465–469, 2002.
Effect of optical radiation on millimeter‐wave characteristics and avalanche noise generation in double‐drift impatt diodes based on opto‐sensitive semiconductors
Authors: Dash S. K. , Pati S. P.
Published: August 2002

RF properties and avalanche noise generation in opto‐sensitive GaAs, InP, GaInAs, and GaInAsP double‐drift IMPATT diodes with and without optical injection have been studied. The optimum frequency and RF characteristics undergo sufficient variation with increase of intensity of optical radiation, which opens the prospects for RF tuning and its use as a low‐noise optical detector. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 33: 295–300, 2002; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.10300
2D‐FDTD modeling of wire antennas near artificial impedance surfaces
Authors: Kärkkäinen Mikko , Tretyakov Sergei
Published: August 2002

This Letter deals with wire antennas radiating in the vicinity of an impedance surface. The use of impedance surfaces has been suggested, for instance, in the context of antenna reflectors. In this Letter a numerical surface impedance model is introduced. Some radiation patterns are calculated to validate the model. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 34: 38–40, 2002; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.10366
Bistatic scattering from a fractal dynamic rough sea surface with a ship presence at low grazing‐angle incidence using the GFBM/SAA
Authors: Li Zhongxin , Jin Ya‐Qiu
Published: August 2002

A generalized forward–backward method (GFBM) with the spectral accelerated algorithm (SAA) to solve the magnetic‐field integral equation (MFIE) is developed. It is applied to the numerical simulation of bistatic scattering from a one‐dimensional (1‐D) fractal dynamic sea surface with a ship presence under TE tapered wave incidence at a low grazing angle (LGA). Numerical simulations of bistatic scattering at an LGA show the functional dependence upon the fractal dimension of the conducting rough surface, ship location, and other parameters. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 31: 146–151, 2001.
Thyroid cancer after radiotherapy for childhood cancer*
Authors: Inskip Peter D.
Published: August 2002

The thyroid gland in children is among the most sensitive organs to the carcinogenic effects of ionizing radiation, and very young children are at especially high risk. Risk associated with exposure to external X‐ or γ‐radiation increases linearly with increasing dose to the thyroid gland at low‐to‐moderate doses, but the dose–response relationship appears to flatten at the very high doses characteristic of cancer radiotherapy. Because of the extreme sensitivity of the thyroid gland in children, there is a risk of radiation‐induced thyroid cancer even when the thyroid gland is outside of the irradiated field. Increased incidence of thyroid cancer has been noted following radiotherapy for childhood Hodgkin disease, non‐Hodgkin lymphoma, neuroblastoma, Wilms tumor, acute lymphocytic leukemia and tumors of the central nervous system. Radiation‐induced tumors begin to appear 5–10 years after irradiation and excess risk persists for decades, perhaps for the remainder of life. The background incidence of thyroid cancer is two‐ to threefold higher among females than males, and the absolute increase in risk due to irradiation is higher in females as well. Most of the thyroid cancers that occur in association with irradiation are of the papillary type, for which the cure rate is high if tumors are detected early. This highlights the importance of long‐term surveillance of persons irradiated during childhood. Important areas for research include the possibility that children with certain types of first cancer are especially susceptible, the basis of the greater female susceptibility, the joint effects of radiation and other factors, and genetic mechanisms in radiation‐induced and spontaneously occurring thyroid cancer. Med. Pediatr. Oncol. 36:568–573, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Fine needle aspiration cytology in the diagnosis and management of children and adolescents with Ewing sarcoma and peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumor*
Authors: Fröstad B. , Tani E. , Brosjö O. , Skoog L. , Kogner P.
Published: August 2002

Purpose

The utility of fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) in conjunction with immunocytochemistry in the diagnosis of Ewing sarcoma and peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumor, the Ewing family of tumors (EFT), is retrospectively described.

Patients and Methods

During a 10‐year period 24 children and adolescents were diagnosed at Karolinska Hospital to have EFT of bone or soft tissue using FNAC. Criteria for diagnosis was based on cytomorphology combined with immunocytochemistry. The median age was 14.1 years (range 0.7–20.2). FNAC was performed within a median time of 1 day after referral.

Results

Forty aspiration procedures were performed, 24 at primary work up in 23 patients and 16 at suspected relapses in 10 patients. A primary cytologic diagnosis of EFT was obtained in 22 of 23 cases. In nine cases with primary disease there was no histologic confirmation. Two tumors were on FNAC diagnosed as neuroblastoma versus EFT, and EFT, respectively. Histopathology on resected tumor tissue from these patients showed EFT and small cell osteosarcoma, respectively. Suspected relapse was found to be positive at five and negative at 11 occasions. Immunocytochemistry was positive for CD45 (LCA) in 0/12, for desmin in 2/21, for MIC2 in 15/15, for NB84 in 1/3, for NFP in 7/7, for NSE in 12/18, for S‐100 in 4/11 and for vimentin in 18/19.

Conclusions

The results show that FNAC together with immunocytochemistry is a rapid, physically atraumatic and accurate method in diagnosing both primary EFT of bone and soft tissue as well as relapses. Med Pediatr Oncol 2002;38:33–40. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Temperature dependence of internucleotide nitrogen–nitrogen scalar couplings in RNA
Authors: Bytchenkoff Dimitri , Chiarparin Elisabetta , Früh Dominique , Rüdisser Simon , Bodenhausen Geoffrey
Published: August 2002

The temperature dependence of internucleotide nitrogen–nitrogen scalar couplings 2hJ(N,N) across hydrogen bonds in adenine–uracil (A–U) and guanine–cytosine (G–C) base pairs of the 22 nucleotide RNA oligomer GGCGAAGUCGAAAGAUGGCGCC was studied between 280 and 310 K. The value of 2hJ(N,N) was observed to decrease monotonically for all four base pairs with increasing temperature. The temperature dependence of 2hJ(N,N) was found to be more pronounced for the A–U base pair than for G–C base pairs. An earlier study of cross‐correlation effects at 296 K appeared to indicate a reduced mobility of the A–U base pair, as evidenced by small contributions of chemical shift modulation to relaxation rates. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sex determination in cattle based on simultaneous amplification of a new male‐specific DNA sequence and an autosomal locus using the same primers
Authors: Weikard Rosemarie , Kühn Christa , Brunner Ronald M. , Roschlau Daniela , Pitra Christian , Laurent Pascal , Schwerin Manfred
Published: August 2002

A PCR‐based method for sex determination of bovine DNA samples and embryo biopsies is presented. Using only one primer pair both the male‐specific sequence FBNY (127 bp) and a sex‐independent control PCR‐fragment, the microsatellite marker FBN17 (136–140 bp) are generated in the same PCR reaction. Synteny mapping assigned the male‐specific sequence to bovine chromosome Y (BTA Y), whereas FBN17 was mapped to bovine chromosome 2. Localisation of FBNY on BTA Y was confirmed by fluorescence in hybridisation of two BAC clones containing the male‐specific sequence. There was no amplification of the male‐specific target sequence FBNY in sheep, pig, goat, mice, man, and several wild species of the tribe Bovini. The bovine male‐specific fragment was detected in dilutions containing as little as 10 pg genomic DNA and in blastomeres from embryo biopsies. The PCR assay presented here does require neither restriction endonuclease digestion of the PCR product nor additional nested PCR steps. Owing to the advantage of parallel amplification of the autosomal locus FBN17 no additional control fragment is necessary to detect PCR failure. The results of sex determination in embryo biopsies using FBNY were in agreement with the outcome from a reference assay used in commercial breeding programs. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 60: 13–19, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Gene for porcine pregnancy‐associated glycoprotein 2 (poPAG2): Its structural organization and analysis of its promoter*
Authors: Szafranska Bozena , Miura Ryuichi , Ghosh Debjani , Ezashi Toshihiko , Xie Sancai , Roberts R. Michael , Green Jonathan A.
Published: August 2002

The pregnancy‐associated glycoproteins (PAG) are abundant secretory products of the placental trophectoderm of ungulate species. They are structurally related to pepsin, having the capability to bind peptides. However, many cannot function as enzymes due to amino acid substitutions in and around the catalytic site. Here, we demonstrate that pigs, like cattle and sheep, but unlike equids, have multiple PAG genes. One of the transcribed porcine PAG (poPAG) genes, the one for poPAG2, was cloned. It had a nine‐exon organization similar to that of other mammalian aspartic proteinase genes with an atypical TATA sequence. A total of 1.2 kbp upstream from exon 1 was sequenced. This region shared identity (> 65%) with the promoter regions of the bovine (bo) PAG1, boPAG2 and equine (eq) PAG genes, but not with other aspartyl proteinase genes, including that of pepsinogen A. Nor were there clear similarities to the promoters of other genes with trophoblast‐specific expression. Of the different poPAG2 promoter constructs tested in transfection experiments in two human (JAr and JEG3) and one rat (Rcho) choriocarcinoma cell lines, only the shortest (−149 bp) was required to provide full expression of a luciferase reporter. Although this short promoter was not active in Cos‐1 and L‐929 cells, it was active in CHO cells, a transformed non‐trophoblast hamster ovarian cell line. Co‐transfection of Ets2 elevated the activity of this short promoter approximately six‐fold in JAr cells, but, disruption of the two putative Ets sites did not alter the ability of Ets2 to transactivate the promoter. In the non‐trophoblast cell lines, Ets2 failed to elicit any response. Ets2 responsiveness may be a common feature of most or all trophoblast‐expressed genes, although in the case of poPAG2, the effect may be indirect. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 60: 137–146, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Cloning and characterization of a novel mouse immunoglobulin superfamily gene expressed in early spermatogenic cells
Authors: Wakayama Tomohiko , Ohashi Kazumasa , Mizuno Kensaku , Iseki Shoichi
Published: August 2002

We cloned and characterized a novel immunoglobulin superfamily gene from the cDNA library of adult mouse testis. This gene was expressed in the spermatogenic cells and hence termed SgIGSF. The predicted SgIGSF protein was composed of 445 amino‐acid residues and contained a signal peptide, three extracellular immunoglobulin (Ig)‐like domains, a transmembranous domain, and a cytoplasmic domain. SgIGSF mRNA consisted of two size species, 2.1‐ and 4.5‐kb in length. Besides testis, SgIGSF mRNA was also expressed in a variety of organs, including the cerebrum, liver, kidney, and epididymis. The testis and liver expressed both the 2.1‐ and 4.5‐kb transcripts, whereas the cerebrum and epididymis predominantly expressed the 4.5‐kb one. In situ hybridization analysis in testis revealed that SgIGSF mRNA signal was localized to the spermatogenic cells from spermatogonia to zygotene spermatocytes. These results suggested that SgIGSF occurs in the plasma membrane of spermatogenic cells during the earlier stages of spermatogenesis. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 60: 158–164, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Type II iodothyronine deiodinase is preferentially expressed in rainbow trout (oncorhynchus mykiss) liver and gonads*
Authors: Sambroni Elisabeth , Gutieres Stéphanie , Cauty Chantal , Guiguen Yann , Breton Bernard , Lareyre Jean‐Jacques
Published: August 2002

It is well admitted that thyroid hormones (TH) play a role in the development of vertebrates. The major secretory product of the thyroid is a pro‐hormone, T4, which is activated in peripheral tissues by outer ring deiodination to T3. We have isolated from rainbow trout testis, a full length cDNA encoding type II iodothyronine deiodinase (rtD2). The cDNA was 2410 nucleotides long and coded for a polypeptide of 264 amino acids including a selenocysteine residue. The predicted molecular weight of rtD2 was 29.3 kDa and the isoelectric point 8.71. The deduced amino acids sequence showed 80% identity with Fundulus heteroclitus D2 (fhD2) but only 68–69% identity with rat, mouse, and human D2. The 3′ UTR contained a putative selenocysteine insertion sequence (SECIS) similar to that described in human cDNA. The rtD2 gene was isolated and the gene structure was similar to that described in human with two exons separated by a large intron. We studied rtD2 gene expression by Northern blot analysis using total RNA extracted from testis, ovary, and other tissues. We found a high expression of a 3 kb transcript in liver and in gonads. A lower expression was also detected in posterior kidney. In testis, rtD2 mRNA expression was dependent on spermatogenic stages: it increased at the onset of spermatogenesis. Our results show that the structural characteristics of the D2 protein and gene have been highly conserved during evolution. The rtD2 mRNA expression in the gonads suggests that rtD2 may be a key factor regulating local supply of active T3 during rainbow trout gametogenesis. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 60: 338–350, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Independent component analysis applied to diffusion tensor MRI
Authors: Arfanakis Konstantinos , Cordes Dietmar , Haughton Victor M. , Carew John D. , Meyerand M. Elizabeth
Published: August 2002

The accuracy of the outcome in a diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) experiment depends on the acquisition scheme as well as the postprocessing methods used. In the present study, the DTI results acquired after applying different combinations of diffusion‐weighted (DW) gradient orientations were initially compared. Then, spatially independent component analysis (ICA) was applied to the T2 and DW images. In all cases a single component was detected that was similar to the map of the trace of the diffusion tensor, but contained a reduced amount of noise. Furthermore, when no correction for eddy current artifacts was used in the image acquisition scheme, the effects of eddy currents were separated by ICA into independent components. After these components were removed, conventional estimation of the diffusion tensor was performed on the modified data. No artifact was contained in the final rotationally invariant scalar quantities that describe the intrinsic diffusion properties. Additionally, independent components that mapped major white matter fiber tracts in the human brain were identified. Finally, the noise included in the original T2 and DW images was also separated by ICA into independent components. These components were subsequently removed and a reduction of noise in the final DTI results was achieved. Magn Reson Med 47:354–363, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Assessment of T1 and T effects in vivo and ex vivo using iron oxide nanoparticles in steady state—dependence on blood volume and water exchange
Authors: Bjørnerud Atle , Johansson Lars O. , Briley‐Sæbø Karen , Ahlström Håkan K.
Published: August 2002

Accurate knowledge of the relationship between contrast agent concentration and tissue relaxation is a critical requirement for quantitative assessment of tissue perfusion using contrast‐enhanced MRI. In the present study, using a pig model, the relationship between steady‐state blood concentration levels of an iron oxide nanoparticle with a hydrated diameter of 12 nm (NC100150 Injection) and changes in the transverse and longitudinal relaxation rates (1/T and 1/T1, respectively) in blood, muscle, and renal cortex was investigated at 1.5 T. Ex vivo measurements of 1/T and 1/T1 were additionally performed in whole pig blood spiked with different concentrations of the iron oxide nanoparticle. In renal cortex and muscle, 1/T increased linearly with contrast agent concentration with slopes of 101 ± 22 s−1mM−1 and 6.5 ± 0.9 s−1mM−1 (mean ± SD), respectively. In blood, 1/T increased as a quadratic function of contrast agent concentration, with different quadratic terms in the ex vivo vs. the in vivo experiments. In vivo, 1/T1 in blood increased linearly with contrast agent concentration, with a slope (T1‐relaxivity) of 13.9 ± 0.9 s−1mM−1. The achievable increase in 1/T1 in renal cortex and muscle was limited by the rate of water exchange between the intra‐ and extravascular compartments and the 1/T1‐curves were well described by a two‐compartment water exchange limited relaxation model. Magn Reson Med 47:461–471, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Detection and elimination of motion artifacts by regeneration of k‐space
Authors: Bydder M. , Larkman D.J. , Hajnal J.V.
Published: August 2002

A method has been developed using techniques from partially parallel imaging (PPI) to detect localized inconsistencies in k‐space that are caused by certain types of motion. The inconsistent data are discarded and consistent data regenerated from the remaining data using PPI techniques. The price is a small decrease in signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) and additional postprocessing. An iterative scheme is presented which does not require separately acquired coil sensitivity information for the PPI reconstructions. This method has been found to reduce artifact levels in phantom and in vivo test studies. Magn Reson Med 47:677–686, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.