bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Variability in the expression of urokinase receptor (CD87) mutants on cells: relevance to cell adhesion
Authors: Kanse Sandip M. , Chavakis Triantafyllos , Kuo Alice , Bdeir Khalil , Cines Douglas B. , Preissner Klaus T.
Published: June 2004

The urokinase‐type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR, CD87) is a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)‐anchored protein, containing three homologous Ly‐6 domains, that mediates integrin‐independent cell adhesion by directly binding to extracellular matrix protein vitronectin (VN). To elucidate the structural requirements for the uPAR‐dependent cell adhesion on VN, several glycolipid‐anchored variants of uPAR were expressed in BAF3 cells, (mouse pre B‐lymphocytes) followed by functional analysis. The individual domains of uPAR were expressed at very low levels, the two domain mutants were expressed to a higher level and the wild type uPAR was expressed highly. Point mutations in domain 2 of uPAR have been shown to diminish cellular binding of the ligand urokinase and we observed a lack of VN binding to this mutant. Flow cytometry with a number of monoclonal antibodies indicated that the domain‐specific antigenic determinants in these mutants were well preserved. Only the cells expressing the intact uPAR with all three domains adhered strongly to a VN substrate, whereas none of the other transfected cells showed significant cell adhesion. Hence, any alterations in the domain structure of uPAR reduce its expression and only the intact receptor can sustain the direct cell adhesion on VN‐rich matrices found at sites of inflammation and injury. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Glucose and glutamine utilization by rat lymphocytes, monocytes and neutrophils in culture: a comparative study
Authors: Pithon‐Curi Tania Cristina , De Melo Mariza Pires , Curi Rui
Published: June 2004

Glucose and glutamine utilization and production of glutamate and lactate were determined for up to 48 h in lymphocytes, monocytes and neutrophils cultured in medium rich in metabolites and vitamins. Glucose was utilized by the three cell types in culture in the following order: neutrophils > monocytes > lymphocytes, whereas lactate was produced in the order: monocytes > neutrophils > lymphocytes. The consumption of glucose followed the activity of glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase but it was not related to hexokinase activity. Glutamine was consumed by the three leukocyte types in culture as follows: neutrophils > lymphocytes ≥ monocytes. The consumption of glutamine was not fully related to the activity of phosphate‐dependent glutaminase. The production of glutamate was not remarkably different among the three cell types. For comparison, glutamine and glucose utilization and glutamate and lactate production were also evaluated using 1‐h incubated leukocytes. Under this condition, only glucose or glutamine was added to the medium. Glucose was utilized as follows: neutrophils > monocytes > lymphocytes, whereas lactate was produced in the following order: monocytes ≥ neutrophils > lymphocytes. Glutamine was consumed as follows: neutrophils > lymphocytes > monocytes, whereas glutamate was produced as follows: neutrophils ≥ monocytes=lymphocytes. The ratio of the amount of glucose/glutamine consumed by 1‐h incubated cells was 0.5 for neutrophils, 1.5 for monocytes, and 0.3 for lymphocytes. However, the three cell types cultured for 48 h utilized glucose to a much higher degree than glutamine. The ratio of the amount of glucose/glutamine utilized by the cultured cells was 8.9 for neutrophils, 16.4 for monocytes, and 6.7 for lymphocytes. These observations support the proposition that glutamine is required in much higher amounts than glucose to accomplish the total metabolic requirement of leukocytes. Under conditions closer to physiological when the availability of a variety of metabolites and vitamins is not restricted, glucose is the preferred substrate for lymphocytes, monocytes and neutrophils. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Carnitine prevents cyclic GMP‐induced inhibition of peroxisomal enzyme activities
Authors: Dhaunsi Gursev S. , Al‐Essa Mazen , Ozand Pinar T. , Moosa Allie
Published: June 2004

Peroxisomes, also termed as microbodies, are now known to carry out several specialized metabolic activities that are vital to cellular function. A defect in peroxisomal function leads to development of a fatal human disease, and a number of peroxisomal disorders are now linked to inherited peroxisomal enzyme abnormalities. Peroxisomal enzyme activities are also altered during pathophysiological conditions through various endogenously produced bio‐molecules such as nitric oxide (NO). NO produced by cytokines or NO‐donors is known to modulate peroxisomal functions, and these effects of NO are mediated through cGMP. We are reporting for the first time that L‐carnitine (1–5 mm) prevents cGMP‐mediated impairment of peroxisomal enzyme activities. Cyclic GMP (250–1000 μM) significantly inhibited (p < 0.01) the specific activities of catalase, acyl CoA oxidase and dihydroxyacetone‐phosphate acyltransferase (DHAPATase) in human dermal fibroblasts, and treatment of cells with 1–5 mM of carnitine significantly (p < 0.001) reduced the inhibitory effects of cGMP on peroxisomal enzyme activities. These findings suggest that carnitine, previously thought to participate only in fatty acid oxidation, may in fact be regulating other cellular events including oxidative stress, and could possibly be used to correct cytokine‐impaired peroxisomal functions. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Thermodynamic Analysis of Receptors Based on Guanidinium/Boronic Acid Groups for the Complexation of Carboxylates, α‐Hydroxycarboxylates, and Diols: Driving Force for Binding and Cooperativity
Authors: Wiskur Sheryl L. , Lavigne John J. , Metzger Axel , Tobey Suzanne L. , Lynch Vincent , Anslyn Eric V.
Published: June 2004

The thermodynamics of guanidinium and boronic acid interactions with carboxylates, α‐hydroxycarboxylates, and diols were studied by determination of the binding constants of a variety of different guests to four different hosts (7–10). Each host contains a different combination of guanidinium groups and boronic acids. The guests included molecules with carboxylate and/or diol moieties, such as citrate, tartrate, and fructose, among others. The Gibbs free energies of binding were determined by UV/Vis absorption spectroscopy, by use of indicator displacement assays. The receptor based on three guanidinium groups (7) was selective for the tricarboxylate guest. The receptors that incorporated boronic acids (8–10) had higher affinities for guests that included α‐hydroxycarboxylate and catechol moieties over guests containing only carboxylates or alkanediols. Isothermal titration calorimetry revealed the enthalpic and entropic contributions to the Gibbs free energies of binding. The binding of citrate and tartrate was investigated with hosts 7–10, for which all the binding events were exothermic, with positive entropy. Because of the selectivity of hosts 8–10, a simple boronic acid (14) was also investigated and determined to be selective for α‐hydroxycarboxylates and catechols over amino acids and alkanediols. Further, the cooperativity of 8 and 9 in binding tartrate was also investigated, revealing little or no cooperativity with 8, but negative cooperativity with 9. A linear entropy/enthalpy compensation relationship for all the hosts 7–10, 14, and the carboxylate‐/diol‐containing guests was also obtained. This relationship indicates that increasing enthalpy of binding is offset by similar losses in entropy for molecular recognition involving guanidinium and boronic acid groups.
New 2,2′‐Substituted 4,4′‐Dimethoxy‐6,6′‐dimethyl[1,1′‐biphenyls], Inducing a Strong Helical Twisting Power in Liquid Crystals
Authors: Holzwarth Richard , Bartsch Richard , Cherkaoui Zoubair , Solladié Guy
Published: June 2004

Based on the stabilisation of the molecular motion by the chiral residue, novel optically active biphenylic chiral dopants for nematic liquid crystals were developed. This molecular congestion was obtained by introducing mesogenic residues on the 2,2′‐positions of the chiral biphenyl; this led to a novel molecular architecture that was found to be efficient. The synthesised optically active biphenyls were characterised with very short cholesteric pitches when used as chiral dopants in nematic liquid crystals. The synthesis of the enatiomerically pure biphenyl dopants and their preliminary physicochemical characterisations are described.
The management of early breast carcinoma before and after the introduction of clinical practice guidelines
Authors: White Victoria , Pruden Myee , Giles Graham , Collins John , Jamrozik Konrad , Inglis Graeme , Boyages John , Hill David
Published: June 2004

BACKGROUND

Clinical practice guidelines for the management of breast carcinoma were introduced in Australia in October, 1995. This article describes the management of early‐stage breast carcinoma both before and after the introduction of these guidelines.

METHODS

All cases of early breast carcinoma that were diagnosed over the same 6‐month period in 1995 and 1999 and registered with a state‐based cancer registry were identified. Treating surgeons completed a survey assessing tumor characteristics and primary treatment. In 1995, 95% of 188 surgeons who were approached participated and 96% of the surveys were returned. In 1999, 92% of 159 surgeons who were approached participated and 91% of the surveys were returned. Analyses are based on 1066 cases from 1995 and 1001 cases from 1999.

RESULTS

The pathologic disease stage of the patients was similar in both study years. The proportion of patients who underwent breast‐conserving therapy (BCT) increased from 54% in 1995 to 69% in 1999. This increase was noted across most levels of disease characteristics but was not evident among those patients treated by the least active surgeons. The proportion of patients treated with BCT who received radiotherapy increased from 59% in 1995 to 80% in 1999. This trend was observed across most levels of tumor characteristics and surgeon caseload. The proportion of women with receptor‐positive tumors who were treated with endocrine therapy increased, whereas the proportion of patients with receptor‐negative tumors who received this therapy decreased from 39% in 1995 to 17% in 1999.

CONCLUSIONS

The management of early breast carcinoma in the state of Victoria appeared to change between 1995 and 1999 in the direction expected if the national guidelines had been incorporated into the practice patterns of surgeons treating breast carcinoma patients. Cancer 2004. © 2004 American Cancer Society.
Bemessung von bewehrtem Mauerwerk Beispiele nach Eurocode 6 Teil 1‐1
Authors: Reeh Helmut
Published: June 2004

Nach Aufstellung der Berechnungsgrundlagen wird anhand von zwei Beispielen die Nachweisführung und die Bemessung von bewehrtem Mauerwerk nach dem Eurocode 6 gezeigt. Als Beispiele werden eine Außenwand und ein Sturz aus USchalen behandelt. Als Ergebnis wird festgestellt, daß stets der Nachweis der Verankerung der Bewehrung maßgebend wird. Die Forderung in /2/ von ℓü > 0, 3 ℓb führt zu großen Verankerungslängen, die insbesondere bei Verankerung in Mauermörtel Probleme bereiten dürfte und vermutlich die Anwendung von bewehrtem Mauerwerk nach Eurocode 6 stark einschränken wird.
Ringanker und Ringbalken
Authors: Böhme Helmut H.
Published: June 2004

Die in den Vorschriften (DIN 1053‐1) aufgeführten Regeln stellen eine gute Grundlage dar. Es muß aber, vor allem bei Ringankern, die unbedingte Einhaltung der folgenden Kriterien verlangt werden!

(1) Erfüllung DIN 1053‐1, 11.96, Abschn. 8.2.1

(2) Einhaltung der Bewehrungsregeln (Überdeckung, Krümmungskreisdurchmesser usw.)

(3) Konstruktive Sicherung der Richtungsänderungspunkte

(4) Ausführung in der Deckenebene (in einer Ebene). Eine beliebige Führung eines Zugstabes ist möglich. Da sich aber die Herausführung aus der Deckenebene immer aus der Notwendigkeit der Gebäudekonstruktion ergibt, ist dann die Ableitung und Aufnahme der Umlenkkräfte konstruktiv oft überhaupt nicht machbar.

(5) Eine Umleitung der Zugkräfte über eine Rahmenkonstruktion ist grundsätzlich möglich, wird aber durch die räumliche Ringankerführung über beliebige Gebäudeteile nicht erfüllt. Man denke nur an die für die Aufnahme von Biegemomenten ungeeigneten Abmessungen.
Konstruktive Bewehrung im Mauerwerkbau
Authors: Beer Ingo , Schmidt Ulf , Schubert Peter
Published: June 2004

Mit den Tabellen für die Stahlspannung am Riß und für die Mauerwerkzugfestigkeit sowie den vorgestellten Gleichungen können sehr einfach — wie die Bemessungsbeispiele belegen — die zur Rißbreitenbeschränkung erforderlichen Bewehrungsgehalte bestimmt werden. Dabei ist jedoch zu beachten, daß die Angaben zur Mauerwerkzugfestigkeit nur Anhaltswerte sind. Da die Mauerwerkzugfestigkeit eine wesentliche Einflußgröße für die Bemessung ist, sollte diese für den Einzelfall genauer berechnet werden. Nur dann ist eine zutreffende und wirtschaftliche Bemessung der Bewehrung für den Einzelfall möglich.
Fructose‐mediated non‐enzymatic glycation: sweet coupling or bad modification
Authors: Schalkwijk Casper G. , Stehouwer Coen D. A. , van Hinsbergh Victor W. M.
Published: June 2004

The Maillard reaction is a process in which reducing sugars react spontaneously with amino groups in proteins to advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs). Although an elevated level of glucose had been thought to play a primary role in the Maillard reaction, on a molecular basis, glucose is among the least reactive sugars within biological systems. The formation of AGEs is now also known to result from the action of various metabolites other than glucose, which are primarily located intracellularly and participate in the non‐enzymatic glycation reaction at a much faster rate, such as fructose, trioses and dicarbonyl compounds. In this review, we considered the glycation reaction with particular attention to the potential role of fructose and fructose metabolites. The two sources for fructose are an exogenous supply from the diet and the endogenous formation from glucose through the aldose reductase pathway. Despite its ∼eightfold higher reactivity, the contribution of extracellular glycation by fructose is considerably less than that by glucose, because of the low plasma concentration of fructose (5 mmol/L glucose vs 35 µmol/L fructose). Intracellularly, fructose is elevated in a number of tissues of diabetic patients in which the polyol pathway is active. In the cells of these tissues, the concentrations of fructose and glucose are of the same magnitude. Although direct evidence is not yet available, it is likely that the high reactivity of fructose and its metabolites may substantially contribute to the formation of intracellular AGEs and may contribute to alterations of cellular proteins, dysfunction of cells and, subsequently, to vascular complications. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Analysis of ambergris tincture
Authors: Awano K. , Ishizaki S. , Takazawa O. , Kitahara T.
Published: June 2004

This is a report of the detection of 13‐ethoxy‐8α,13‐epoxy‐14,15,16‐trinorlabdane (1) and 12‐ethoxy‐8α,12‐epoxy‐13,14,15,16‐tetranorlabdane (2), hitherto unidentiﬁed and considered as degradation products of ambrein, among 31 constituents found by analysis of ambergris tincture. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Note on projective graphs
Authors: Łuczak Tomasz , Nešetřil Jaroslav
Published: June 2004

We show that all graphs with a simple extension property are projective. As a consequence of this result we settle in the affirmative a conjecture of Larose and Tardif and characterize all homogeneous graphs which are projective. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Graph Theory 47: 81–86, 2004
Tumor microvascular changes in antiangiogenic treatment: Assessment by magnetic resonance contrast media of different molecular weights
Authors: Turetschek Karl , Preda Anda , Novikov Viktor , Brasch Robert C. , Weinmann Hanns J. , Wunderbaldinger Patrick , Roberts Timothy P.L.
Published: June 2004

Purpose

To test magnetic resonance (MR) contrast media of different molecular weights (MWs) for their potential to characterize noninvasively microvascular changes in an experimental tumor treatment model.

Materials and Methods

MD‐MBA‐435, a poorly differentiated human breast cancer cell line, was implanted into 31 female homozygous athymic rats. Animals were assigned randomly to a control (saline) or drug treatment (monoclonal antibody vascular endothelial growth factor (Mab‐VEGF) antibody) group. In both groups, dynamic MR imaging (MRI) was performed in each animal using up to three different contrast media on sequential days at baseline and follow‐up examination. The MWs of the contrast media used ranged from 557 Da to 92 kDa. Using a bidirectional kinetic model, tumor microvessel characteristics, including the fractional plasma volume (fPV) and transendothelial permeability (KPS), were estimated for each contrast medium. These microvascular characteristics were compared between drug and control groups and between contrast media of different MWs.

Results

Tumors grew significantly slower (P < 0.0005) in the drug treatment group than in the control group. Mean KPS and fPV values decreased significantly (P < 0.05) in the Mab‐VEGF antibody‐treated group compared to baseline values using intermediate or macromolecular contrast media (MMCM), but did not change significantly using small molecular contrast media (SMCM). In the control groups, mean KPS and mean fPV values did not reach statistical significance for any of the contrast media used.

Conclusion

Therapeutic effects of a Mab‐VEGF antibody on tumor microvessel characteristics can be monitored by dynamic MRI. Intermediate‐size agents, such as Gadomer‐17, offer a substantial dynamic range and are less limited by imaging precision and therefore should be considered a practical alternative to monitor antiangiogenesis treatment effects in a clinical setting. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2004;20:138–144. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Early‐enhancing nonneoplastic lesions on gadolinium‐enhanced magnetic resonance imaging of the liver following partial hepatectomy
Authors: Goshima Satoshi , Kanematsu Masayuki , Matsuo Masayuki , Kondo Hiroshi , Yokoyama Ryujiro , Hoshi Hiroaki , Moriyama Noriyuki
Published: June 2004

Purpose

To assess the frequency, imaging findings, and significance of early‐enhancing nonneoplastic (EN) lesions with gadolinium‐enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the liver following partial hepatectomy.

Materials and Methods

We retrospectively reviewed MR images after partial hepatectomy in 30 patients. Postoperative MRI was performed in 1–12 months (mean, 3.7 months) after partial hepatectomy. We defined the EN lesion as a lesion that was ill defined; irregular, wedge shaped, or serpiginous; located along the liver edge; not visible on unenhanced MR images; did not appear hypointense on portal venous‐ or equilibrium‐phase images; or a combination of those imaging findings.

Results

A total of 39 EN lesions (size range, 5–60 mm; mean, 25.2 mm) in 19 patients and 17 recurrent tumors (size range, 5–50 mm; mean, 16.8 mm) in 10 patients newly appeared after partial hepatectomy. The EN lesions were diagnosed as pseudolesions by the second postoperative follow‐up MRI in 17 patients or contrast‐enhanced computed tomography (CT) in two. A total of 13 EN lesions (33%) were located along the liver edge and 20 (51%) were adjacent to the resected area. The shape was circular in 11 (28%), oval in three (8%), irregular in 11 (28%), wedge shaped in five (13%), and serpiginous in nine (23%). No EN lesion showed hypointensity on gadolinium‐enhanced portal venous‐phase or equilibrium‐phase images. A total of 14 EN lesions (36%) showed slight hyperintensity on T2‐weighted images. The confidence levels for malignancy probability assigned by blinded radiologists were lower with EN lesions than with recurrent tumors (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

EN lesions are frequently seen in MRI following partial hepatectomy, and occasionally are slightly hyperintense on T2‐weighted images, mimicking malignant tumors. However, most EN lesions can be correctly diagnosed with MRI findings. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2004;20:66–74. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
In vivo colon wall imaging using endoluminal coils: Feasibility study on rabbits
Authors: Beuf O. , Pilleul F. , Armenean M. , Hadour G. , Saint‐Jalmes H.
Published: June 2004

Purpose

To assess in vivo distal colon wall magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) feasibility on rabbits using an endoluminal radio frequency (RF) coil on a 1.5‐T clinical scanner.

Materials and Methods

The endoluminal coil signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) was compared to a clinical four‐element phased‐array body coil. High‐resolution (HR) MRI of rabbit colon walls was performed on six rabbits. The imaging protocol combined T1‐weighted fast low‐angle‐shot (FLASH) sequences with and without fat saturation (FS), T2‐weighted True‐Fast imaging with steady state precession (Fisp), turbo spin‐echo (TSE), and T1‐weighted FLASH FS after contrast media injection. Images were compared to histological sections. Catheter tracking using an endoluminal coil in addition to external coils was also evaluated on two rabbits.

Results

HR images allow visualization and identification of rabbit colon wall layers. Real‐time tracking allows a clear visualization and a good positioning of the endoluminal coil within the rabbit.

Conclusion

Compared to a clinical multielement array coil, a dedicated endoluminal RF coil provides an important SNR increase at the region of interest (ROI). Very HR images of in vivo rabbit colon walls were achieved providing detailed information on the different wall layers. This technique could be considered on humans for accurate tumoral and inflammatory bowel disease diagnosis. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2004;20:90–96. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Differentiation between completely hyalinized uterine leiomyomas and ordinary leiomyomas: Three‐phase dynamic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) vs. diffusion‐weighted MRI with very small b‐factors
Authors: Shimada Ken , Ohashi Isamu , Kasahara Ichiro , Watanabe Hiroshige , Ohta Sayako , Miyasaka Naoyuki , Itoh Eisaku , Shibuya Hitoshi
Published: June 2004

Purpose

To assess the possibility of differentiating between completely hyalinized leiomyomas and ordinary leiomyomas by using diffusion‐weighted (DW) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (DWI) employing very small b‐factors (b = 1.51 and 55.3 seconds/mm2) in comparison with three‐phase dynamic MRI.

Materials and Methods

The subjects were 25 patients with 52 histopathologically confirmed uterine leiomyomas. All leiomyomas were divided into two histopathologic subtypes (5 completely hyalinized leiomyomas and 47 ordinary leiomyomas). For each leiomyoma, the enhancement index (EI) at three‐phase dynamic MRI and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) were obtained and then compared.

Results

The EIs at second and third dynamic phases clearly differentiated the two types of leiomyomas without overlap of values. ADCs also clearly differentiated the two types of leiomyomas without overlap of values. Moreover, there were significant positive correlations between ADCs and EIs at all dynamic phases (r = 0.41–0.50, P < 0.01).

Conclusion

Not only three‐phase dynamic MRI but also DWI with very small b‐factors could be useful for differentiating completely hyalinized leiomyomas from ordinary leiomyomas. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2004;20:97–104. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Directional correlation in white matter tracks of the human brain
Authors: Klose U. , Mader I. , Unrath A. , Erb M. , Grodd W.
Published: June 2004

Purpose

To describe a technique for the detection of distinct brain fibers in sets of magnetic resonance (MR) diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) data.

Materials and Methods

MR‐DTI can be used for a tractography of brain fibers presuming a data set of high spatial resolution and high signal to noise. A less demanding technique for the visualization of discrete brain fiber bundles involves segmentation. By using a region‐growing algorithm, those voxels that have a direction similar to that of the major eigenvector in neighboring voxels of a data set can be marked. It has been shown recently by Mori et al (1) that this technique can be successfully applied to data from a single slice of a mouse brain. In this study, the segmentation technique was applied with modifications to multislice DTI data from the human brain.

Results

A distinct segmentation of various brain fiber bundles could be achieved by the use of a two‐step algorithm. In the first step, voxels within large fiber tracts‐such as corticofugal tracts (e.g., corticospinal tract) and the optic radiation‐were segmented by starting the region‐growing algorithm in the corpus callosum (CC) and erasing this major structure from the data set. In the second step, remaining voxels were segmented by the same algorithm; this revealed a good assignment of the similarly oriented fibers derived by segmentation to the anatomically given brain lobes. This two‐step procedure was successfully applied to DTI data of six healthy volunteers.

Conclusion

The segmentation technique for DTI data proposed by Mori et al (1) for data from mouse brains can be applied to multislice data from the human brain by using a two‐step algorithm including a masking of the major fiber tracts. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2004;20:25–30. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Malignant hepatic tumor detection with ferumoxide‐enhanced magnetic resonance imaging: Is chemical‐shift‐selective fat suppression necessary for fast spin‐echo sequence?
Authors: Goshima Satoshi , Kanematsu Masayuki , Matsuo Masayuki , Kondo Hiroshi , Kako Nobuo , Yokoyama Ryujiro , Hoshi Hiroaki , Moriyama Noriyuki
Published: June 2004

Purpose

To determine whether chemical‐shift‐selective (CSS) fat suppression is necessary for ferumoxide‐enhanced T2‐weighted fast spin‐echo (FSE) imaging in the detection of malignant hepatic tumors.

Materials and Methods

Ferumoxide‐enhanced magnetic resonance (MR) images obtained in 38 patients with surgically confirmed 61 malignant hepatic tumors (36 hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs), 25 metastases) were retrospectively reviewed by three independent readers. Three sequences of MR images with CSS fat‐suppressed T2‐weighted FSE, non‐fat‐suppressed T2‐weighted FSE, and T2*‐weighted gradient‐recalled‐echo (GRE) sequences were randomly reviewed on a segment‐by‐segment basis in a blind fashion. Observer performance was tested using the McNemar's test and receiver‐operating‐characteristic (ROC) analysis for the clustered data. Lesion‐to‐liver contrast‐to‐noise ratio (C/N) was also assessed.

Results

The mean C/N with the CSS fat‐suppressed FSE sequence was highest in HCCs, metastases, and tumors overall. Sensitivity was highest with the CSS fat‐suppressed FSE sequence in HCC, was highest with the non‐fat‐suppressed FSE sequence in metastases, and was comparable in tumors overall. Specificity was comparable between the sequences. The area under ROC curve (Az) value was greatest with the CSS fat‐suppressed FSE sequence in HCCs, was greatest with the non‐fat‐ suppressed FSE sequence in metastases, and was comparable in tumors overall. The sensitivities and Az values were lower with the GRE sequence than the FSE sequence.

Conclusion

The CSS fat‐suppressed FSE sequence was superior to the GRE sequence in the detection of HCCs, but the non‐fat‐suppressed FSE sequence was comparable to the GRE sequence. The non‐fat‐suppressed FSE sequence was superior to the CSS fat‐suppressed FSE and GRE sequences in the detection of metastases. Optimal FSE imaging with CSS fat suppression or without aiming for the detection of HCCs or metastases, respectively, outperforms GRE imaging in ferumoxide‐enhanced MRI. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2004;20:75–82. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Assessment of skeletal muscle perfusion by contrast medium first‐pass magnetic resonance imaging: Technical feasibility and preliminary experience in healthy volunteers
Authors: Lutz Amelie M. , Weishaupt Dominik , Amann‐Vesti Beatrice R. , Pfammatter Thomas , Goepfert Kerstin , Marincek Borut , Nanz Daniel
Published: June 2004

Purpose

To probe the potential and pitfalls of contrast medium first‐pass skeletal muscle perfusion imaging under reproducible stress conditions.

Materials and Methods

Magnetic resonance (MR) signal dynamics in calf muscle and lower‐leg arteries of 20 healthy volunteers were analyzed under postarterial occlusion reactive hyperemia and concurrent contrast medium first pass, using a saturation recovery spoiled gradient‐echo type sequence without heartbeat synchronization. The signal vs. time curves were analyzed descriptively and by two‐compartment deconvolution analysis.

Results

Highly significant changes in calf muscle signal dynamics in the hyperemic leg vs. those in the contralateral leg at rest were found in phenomenological and deconvolution analysis. Although a distortion of the arterial signal derived input function by inflow effects was found to cause large variations of the deconvolution results, the magnitude of the observed effects suggested a potential for immediate visual detection of areas with reduced tissue perfusion.

Conclusion

The first‐pass approach appeared promising for visual evaluation. However, a disentanglement of inflow and contrast medium‐induced effects on arterial signal intensity was deemed a prerequisite for input function‐based numerical assessment. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2004;20:111–121. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Intra‐ and interstudy reproducibility of coronary artery diameter measurements in magnetic resonance coronary angiography
Authors: Keegan Jennifer , Horkaew Paramate , Buchanan Tim J. , Smart Trevor S. , Yang Guang‐Zhong , Firmin David N.
Published: June 2004

Purpose

To determine the intra‐ and interstudy reproducibility of right coronary artery diameter assessment using serial magnetic resonance (MR) coronary angiography.

Materials and Methods

Two‐dimensional (2D) navigator‐gated segmented fast low angle shot (FLASH) images of the proximal right coronary artery were acquired three times in 11 healthy volunteers, the first two times in the same study session and the third time after repositioning the subject in the scanner. Coronary artery diameters were determined using automated segmentation software and intra‐ and interstudy reproducibility calculated as the standard deviation (SD) of the signed differences between measurements within and between study sessions, respectively. The reproducibility of the segmentation software was determined by repeated analysis of each individual scan.

Results

One subject was excluded from the study due to poor‐quality images. In the remaining 10 subjects, the mean (± SD) intrastudy difference in coronary artery diameters was −0.05 ± 0.12 mm, a value that is very similar to between‐frame (same‐film) differences reported in quantitative coronary angiography (QCA). The mean (± SD) interstudy difference in coronary artery diameters was 0.16 ± 0.43 mm, although this was greatly skewed by one subject with poor image plane repositioning. Excluding that subject resulted in a mean (± SD) interstudy difference of 0.04 ± 0.20 mm. The reproducibility of the segmentation software was excellent, with the mean difference between repeat analyses of the images being 0.00 ± 0.03 mm.

Conclusion

The intrastudy variability of coronary artery diameter measurements is low, potentially allowing MR coronary angiography to be used as a tool for the noninvasive assessment of serial changes following pharmacological intervention. A major contributing factor to this is the high reproducibility of the segmentation software. Interstudy variability is approximately three times the intrastudy variability. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2004;20:160–166. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Genetic diversity in the physicochemical properties of waxy rice (Oryza sativa L) starch
Authors: Bao Jinsong , Corke Harold , Sun Mei
Published: June 2004

The genetic diversity in the physicochemical properties of starches from 56 waxy rice (Oryza sativa L) genotypes (34 of indica and 22 of japonica) was studied. The parameters included thermal and retrogradation properties tested by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), pasting viscosity tested by rapid viscoanalyser (RVA), and flour swelling volume (FSV). Wide diversity was found in all the parameters. According to their gelatinisation temperature (GT), the waxy rice genotypes could be divided into two groups, a high‐GT group and a low‐GT group. A total of 15 genotypes were identified as high‐GT, all belonging to the indica subspecies. There was about a 5 °C difference within each group and a 10 °C difference between groups. Many parameters were correlated with each other in all 56 waxy rices, but some correlations were also consistent and significant when comparing the high‐GT group and the low‐GT group separately. For example, hot paste viscosity (HPV) was positively correlated with onset temperature (To) and enthalpy of gelatinisation (ΔHg). The results suggested that initial screening in waxy rice breeding programmes for varieties with desirable starch properties for specific food uses could be efficiently accomplished using pasting profiles from the RVA. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry
Volatile metabolite profiling to discriminate diseases of McIntosh apple inoculated with fungal pathogens
Authors: Vikram A , Prithiviraj B , Hamzehzarghani H , Kushalappa AC
Published: June 2004

Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC/MS) technology was used to profile volatile metabolites from the headspace gas of McIntosh apple (Malus domestica Borkh.), which were non‐inoculated or inoculated with four different fungi, Botrytis cinerea Pers, Penicillium expansum Link, Mucor piriformis Fischer and Monilinia sp. The study yielded a total of 498 different volatile metabolites. Among them only 35 occurred relatively consistently in six replicates over three incubation periods. Of the consistent metabolites, 20 were specific to one or more inoculation agents/diseases, including seven that were unique to apples inoculated with different pathogens. Fluoroethene and 3,4‐dimethyl‐1‐hexene were specific for Penicillium, while butanoic acid butyl ester, 4‐methyl‐1‐hexene and 2‐methyltetrazole were specific for Mucor. Similarly, acetic acid methyl ester and fluoroethane were specific to Botrytis and Monilinia, respectively. The method developed in this study can be used by storage managers to detect apple diseases at an early stage of disease progress and use this to manage apple diseases in storage, after further validation under commercial conditions. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry
Absorption and twenty‐four‐hour metabolism time‐course of quercetin‐3‐O‐glucoside in rats, in vivo
Authors: Gee Jennifer M , Wroblewska Monika A , Bennett Richard N , Mellon Fred A , Johnson Ian T
Published: June 2004

Rats were meal‐fed a semi‐synthetic diet, with or without quercetin 3‐O‐glucoside (Q3G; 100 mg per meal) and groups of three were killed either fasting, or at 2, 5 and 24 post‐feeding. Flavonoids and their metabolites in the diet, stomach contents, small intestinal lumen and mucosa, caecal contents and plasma were determined by LC/MS. Q3G was not hydrolysed in the stomach, but deglycosylation and further metabolism occurred in the small intestinal mucosa. At least 17 flavonoid glucuronides were identified in the lumen and mucosa, with evidence of time‐dependent changes such as de‐ and re‐glucuronidation. Quercetin mono‐sulphate was also detected in the small intestinal contents. Metabolites were still present in tissue and plasma 24 h after feeding. There was also evidence of complex microbial processing of Q3G in the caecal lumen with the appearance of at least one methylquercetin‐mono‐glucuronide, mono‐sulphate unique to this site in the gut, together with phenolic acid derivatives. Intestinal flavonoid metabolism is thus a very complex process in mammals, involving both enterocytes and bacteria. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry
Surgical management and outcome of metachronous Krukenberg tumors from gastric cancer
Authors: Cheong Jae Ho , Hyung Woo Jin , Chen Jian , Kim Junuk , Choi Seung Ho , Noh Sung Hoon
Published: June 2004

Background and Objectives

The question of whether resection should be performed in Krukenberg tumors from gastric cancer has yet to be adequately examined. Despite some reports on the surgical treatment of Krukenberg tumors, the outcomes after resection are not well characterized.

Patients and Methods

Using a gastric cancer database, a total of 34 patients who underwent a resection of metastatic ovarian tumors after curative surgery for gastric cancer were identified. A prospective database of these patients was reviewed for the presentation, clinical features, and outcomes after resection.

Results

The median age of 34 patients was 44 years (range, 24–66). The majority of patients was in the premenopausal state and had bilateral ovarian involvement. The most common presenting symptom was an abdominal mass (35.3%). Tumor size ranged from 3.5 to 20 cm with 61.8% measuring larger than 10 cm. In 17 patients who had metastatic disease confined to the pelvis, a complete gross resection (R0) was achieved. In the other 17 with the disease beyond the pelvis gross residual tumors remained after the resection (R1). The median survival of all patients was 11 months (95% confidence interval [CI] 8–14), and that of the patients rendered R0 was 18 months (95% CI, 14–22), in comparison with 9 months (95% CI, 3–15) for those with R1 resection (P = 0.0001; log‐rank test). The median progression free survival was also significantly longer for the patients with R0 resection than those with R1 resection (8 months, 95% CI, 5–11 vs. 5 months, 95% CI, 4–6, P = 0.0103). Multivariate analysis identified R0 resection as the only significant factor predictive of survival.

Conclusions

In the management of Krukenberg tumors after gastric cancer, a metastasectomy may significantly improve the overall and progression free survival if it could render a complete gross resection. To define the patient group that benefits most from resection, the extent of disease and resectability must be carefully evaluated before surgery. J. Surg. Oncol. 2004;87:39–45. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Pathology of melanocytic lesions: New, controversial, and clinically important issues
Authors: Scolyer Richard A. , Thompson John F. , Stretch Jonathan R. , Sharma Raghwa , McCarthy Stanley W.
Published: June 2004

Patients with primary cutaneous melanocytic lesions rely not only on the knowledge, skills, and experience of their treating clinician but also on the fundamentally important input of their pathologist for accurate diagnosis and appropriate management. Free and precise communication between pathologists and surgeons is important and undoubtedly improves patient care, particularly when managing difficult or complicated cases. To provide both patient and surgeon with the necessary information they require to make the most appropriate decisions, the pathology report should include all pathologic factors that are important in determining the patient's prognosis and management. Use of a synoptic format for pathology reporting of melanomas can facilitate this. Recent studies have established that the dermal mitotic rate of a primary cutaneous melanoma is a major prognostic determinant, and have shown that its assessment and that of other important histopathologic prognostic variables are reproducible between pathologists. Sentinel node (SN) biopsy has provided a minimally invasive procedure that can accurately predict the regional node status of melanoma patients. It is well demonstrated that the use of immunohistochemical stains assists in the detection of melanoma micrometastases in SNs, although it remains unclear which is the optimal pathologic protocol for SN evaluation and whether there is a role for reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) in SN assessment. False negative SN biopsies may occur as a result of errors in lymphatic mapping or sentinel lymphadenectomy, or because of a deficiency in the process of histopathologic evaluation. Recent studies have shown that the likelihood of non‐SN involvement when the SN is positive correlates mostly with the extent of SN involvement, in particular the tumor penetrative depth (defined as the maximum distance of melanoma cells from the inner margin of the SN capsule). It appears that assessment of the micromorphometric features of positive SNs may be useful in predicting which patients have a low probability of having metastatic tumor in non‐SNs, and therefore in selecting patients who potentially may be spared a completion lymph node dissection. It is likely that future advances in our understanding of the molecular biology of melanoma will provide new insights into tumor classification, improve diagnostic accuracy and prognostic ability, and lead to the development of more precisely targeted therapies. J. Surg. Oncol. 2004;86:200–211. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The comparison of detailed chemical kinetic mechanisms: Application to the combustion of methane
Authors: Rolland Sébastien , Simmie John M.
Published: June 2004

Detailed chemical kinetic mechanisms of complex chemical phenomena may be composed of hundreds of species and thousands of individual elementary reactions. It can be an extremely laborious and error‐prone procedure to compare two of these mechanisms, particularly if they come from different sources. We have created software tools which help to highlight the differences between mechanisms written in a Chemkin format and demonstrate their applicability to five literature mechanisms describing the high temperature oxidation of methane. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 36:467–471, 2004
Simple Trends in the Methylene and α‐Substituent Regions of NMR Spectra of Vinyl Polymers
Authors: Monaco Guglielmo , Viglione Rosario G.
Published: June 2004

Summary: Chemical shift trends in the methylene and α substituent regions of 13C NMR spectra of vinyl polymers have been analyzed in terms of a three‐state rotational isomeric states (RIS) model and the γ‐gauche effect. In this framework, it has been demonstrated that the three sequencing rules observed for poly(propylene) can also be expected to work for many other vinyl polymers. The first two rules, justified in terms of the conformational perturbability of stereosequences, turn out to be respected by a considerable number of NMR spectra. On the other hand, the same spectral data are in substantial disagreement with the third rule. An explanation is proposed for this breakdown.

Sketches of the three conformations expected for rotation on the two prochiral bonds flanking the methine carbon of a vinyl polymer.

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Sketches of the three conformations expected for rotation on the two prochiral bonds flanking the methine carbon of a vinyl polymer.
Beneficial effect of nerve growth factor‐7S on peripheral nerve regeneration through inside‐out vein grafts: An experimental study
Authors: Gravvanis Andreas I. , Tsoutsos Dimosthenis A. , Tagaris George A. , Papalois Apostolos E. , Patralexis Charalampos G. , Iconomou Thomais G. , Panayotou Petros N. , Ioannovich John D.
Published: June 2004

This study investigated the effect of local administration of nerve growth factor‐7S (NGF‐7S) on the axonal regrowth of mixed peripheral nerves through inside‐out vein grafts. Sixty male Wistar rats were randomized into two groups (n = 30). A defect 12 mm long in the right sciatic nerve was created and repaired with an inside‐out vein graft from the right jugular vein. NGF‐7S (group A) or phosphate‐buffered saline (group B; control) was locally administered daily during the first 3 weeks. Walking‐track analysis and electrophysiological and histological‐morphometric studies were carried out 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 weeks postoperatively (subgroups a, b, c, d, and e, respectively, n = 6 each). Data analysis showed that 1) the recovery of motor function, as measured by walk pattern analysis and evoked muscle action potential, and 2) the orientation, number, myelin thickness, and diameter of myelinated fibers were better in the NGF‐7S than in the control group. These findings present strong evidence of the beneficial effect of NGF‐7S on peripheral nerve regeneration through inside‐out vein grafts. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. Microsurgery 24:1–8, 2004.
Two applications of end‐to‐side nerve neurorrhaphy in severe upper‐extremity nerve injuries
Authors: Yüksel Fuat , Peker Fati̇h , Çeli̇köz Bahatti̇n
Published: June 2004

End‐to‐side and side‐to‐side techniques (what we call alternative nerve repair techniques) have been investigated in detail in both experimental and clinical studies. There have not been any large series, but only some case reports describing either successful or disappointing functional results in the recent literature. Two cases presented here were of two extreme examples of nerve injuries that had no chance for direct repair; alternative choices were performed. One was a side‐to‐side neurorrhaphy between the ulnar and median nerves, and the other was an end‐to‐side nerve repair of the median and radial nerves to the ulnar nerve. Both patients regained their diminished protective sensation and returned to their occupations. Based on these results and our review of the current literature, we consider alternative nerve repair techniques to be reasonable, prudent, and scientific choices for the treatment of some challenging nerve injury cases. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. Microsurgery 24:1–6, 2004.
Flow‐shop batch scheduling with identical processing‐time jobs
Authors: Mosheiov Gur , Oron Daniel , Ritov Yaacov
Published: June 2004

In many practical situations of production scheduling, it is either necessary or recommended to group a large number of jobs into a relatively small number of batches. A decision needs to be made regarding both the batching (i.e., determining the number and the size of the batches) and the sequencing (of batches and of jobs within batches). A setup cost is incurred whenever a batch begins processing on a given machine. This paper focuses on batch scheduling of identical processing‐time jobs, and machine‐ and sequence‐independent setup times on an m‐machine flow‐shop. The objective is to find an allocation to batches and their schedule in order to minimize flow‐time. We introduce a surprising and nonintuitive solution for the problem. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics, 2004
The hypoxia‐regulated transcription factor DEC1 (Stra13, SHARP‐2) and its expression in human tissues and tumours
Authors: Turley Helen , Wykoff Charles C , Troup Sandra , Watson Peter H , Gatter Kevin C , Harris Adrian L
Published: June 2004

DEC1, also known as SHARP‐2 or Stra13, is an important molecule in embryonic differentiation and has recently been identified to be strongly inducible by hypoxia. Its distribution in normal human tissues and most tumour types is unknown. In the present study, a polyclonal antiserum to a 10‐amino acid peptide from DEC1 has been raised. Using this antiserum, DEC1 was shown to be widely expressed in most normal human tissues, but usually only in a proportion of cells and typically with a nuclear localization. In tumours, expression was either augmented (the commonest pattern) or occasionally decreased. Similarly, in most normal tissues, low or absent expression was observed in endothelial cells, whereas in many tumour samples endothelium was usually strongly positive. In tumours, there was a striking pattern of staining seen in connection with areas of necrosis, with absence of DEC1 expression within a zone of morphologically viable cells immediately adjacent to the necrotic zone. This suggests that while DEC1 may be up‐regulated by hypoxia in cancer, in more extreme hypoxia it may have a role in cell death. Its interrelationship with other hypoxically regulated molecules, such as the hypoxia‐inducible factors or carbonic anhydrase IX, and differentiation of tumours now requires further investigation. Copyright © 2004 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.