bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reliability of pelvic floor muscle strength measurement in elderly incontinent women
Authors: Kerschan‐Schindl K. , Uher E. , Wiesinger G. , Kaider A. , Ebenbichler G. , Nicolakis P. , Kollmitzer J. , Preisinger E. , Fialka‐Moser V.
Published: August 2002

Pelvic floor muscles (PFM) play an important role in maintaining urinary continence with increasing age. Therefore, their contractile properties need to be evaluated. The aim of the study was to examine the reliability and correlation of simple techniques to measure PFM strength in elderly women with urinary incontinence. An interview was used to evaluate the ability to stop the urinary stream during micturition and to calculate the incontinence index. A pad test was applied to objectively evaluate the severity of the disease. Functional testing included a digital examination to measure the force and duration of one contraction, a perineometer measurement (Peritron) to assess maximal contraction force and contraction force of 5 s, and a cone‐retention test (Femcon) while walking for 1 min and during Valsalva's manoeuvre. This procedure was performed on three separate occasions within one week. The 37 participating women with a mean age of 62 ± 8 (mean ± SD) years had a severity index of 4.4 ± 2.6 and a urine loss of 9.5 ± 13.6 mg during the pad test. Sixteen women were able to completely stop the urinary stream during micturition. The digital examination showed no intratester variability. The perineometer measurement showed that the absolute difference in maximal contraction force and mean contraction force within 5 s was less than 5.3 mm Hg and 4.5 mm Hg, respectively, with a probability of 0.95. While walking and during Valsalva's manoeuvre, 19 and 20 women, respectively, held the same cone in place on all three occasions. The maximal contraction force and mean force during the 5‐s contraction correlated well with the ability to stop the urinary stream and the digital examination but only weakly with the cone‐retention tests. The reliability of PFM strength measurement is highest in the digital examination, followed by perineometer measurements, and then by vaginal cone tests. As PFM function is easy to assess, it should be routinely done in the assessment of urinary incontinence in elderly women. Neurourol. Urodynam. 21:42–47, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Heuristics for the multi‐resource generalized assignment problem
Authors: Mazzola Joseph B. , Wilcox Steven P.
Published: August 2002

The well‐known generalized assignment problem (GAP) involves the identification of a minimum‐cost assignment of tasks to agents when each agent is constrained by a resource in limited supply. The multi‐resource generalized assignment problem (MRGAP) is the generalization of the GAP in which there are a number of different potentially constraining resources associated with each agent. This paper explores heuristic procedures for the MRGAP. We first define a three‐phase heuristic which seeks to construct a feasible solution to MRGAP and then systematically attempts to improve the solution. We then propose a modification of the heuristic for the MRGAP defined previously by Gavish and Pirkul. The third procedure is a hybrid heuristic that combines the first two heuristics, thus capturing their relative strengths. We discuss extensive computational experience with the heuristics. The hybrid procedure is seen to be extremely effective in solving MRGAPs, generating feasible solutions to more than 99% of the test problems and consistently producing near‐optimal solutions. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Naval Research Logistics 48: 468–483, 2001
Models for the design and analysis of a large package sort facility
Authors: McAree Paul , Bodin Lawrence , Ball Michael
Published: August 2002

At the sort facility in a large overnight package delivery operation, palletized loads are moved in a container (called an inbound ULD) from a plane to a bin, unloaded from the bin, and moved by forklift one item at a time from a bin to a rack. At the rack, each palletized load is loaded into a container (called an outbound ULD) and this outbound ULD is delivered to a plane for delivery to its final delivery airport. The purpose of this study was to determine the optimal design of this sort facility that acts as a hub in a hub‐and‐spoke system. For a given topology of the sort facility (a topology being the specification of the locations of the bins and the racks), a design of this sort facility is the assignment of inbound ULDs to bins and outbound ULDs to racks and the determination of the number of forklifts needed to carry out the sort. In this paper, the Bin and Rack Assignment Model (BRAM) is developed to perform this analysis; the objective of the BRAM is to minimize the daily operating and amortized capital cost of performing the sort. Since the BRAM is computationally difficult to solve, the BAM and RAM algorithm is developed to derive heuristic solutions to the BRAM. Several examples of the BAM and RAM algorithm are presented. A modification to the BAM and RAM algorithm for solving practical‐sized problems is then presented and future directions for this analysis are discussed. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Neuronal localization of the TNFα converting enzyme (TACE) in brain tissue and its correlation to amyloid plaques
Authors: Skovronsky Daniel M. , Fath Shannon , Lee Virginia M.‐Y. , Milla Marcos E.
Published: August 2002

The tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α converting enzyme (TACE) can cleave the cell‐surface ectodomain of the amyloid‐β precursor protein (APP), thus decreasing the generation of amyloid‐β (Aβ) by cultured non‐neuronal cells. While the amyloidogenic processing of APP in neurons is linked to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD), the expression of TACE in neurons has not yet been examined. Thus, we assessed TACE expression in a series of neuronal and non‐neuronal cell types by Western blots. We found that TACE was present in neurons and was only faintly detectable in lysates of astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and microglial cells. Immunohistochemical analysis was used to determine the cellular localization of TACE in the human brain, and its expression was detected in distinct neuronal populations, including pyramidal neurons of the cerebral cortex and granular cell layer neurons in the hippocampus. Very low levels of TACE were seen in the cerebellum, with Purkinje cells at the granular‐molecular boundary staining faintly. Because TACE was localized predominantly in areas of the brain that are affected by amyloid plaques in AD, we examined its expression in a series of AD brains. We found that AD and control brains showed similar levels of TACE staining, as well as similar patterns of TACE expression. By double labeling for Aβ plaques and TACE, we found that TACE‐positive neurons often colocalized with amyloid plaques in AD brains. These observations support a neuronal role for TACE and suggest a mechanism for its involvement in AD pathogenesis as an antagonist of Aβ formation. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Neurobiol 49: 40–46, 2001
Conservation properties of a time FE method—part II: Time‐stepping schemes for non‐linear elastodynamics
Authors: Betsch P. , Steinmann P.
Published: August 2002

In the present paper one‐step implicit integration algorithms for non‐linear elastodynamics are developed. The discretization process rests on Galerkin methods in space and time. In particular, the continuous Galerkin method applied to the Hamiltonian formulation of semidiscrete non‐linear elastodynamics lies at the heart of the time‐stepping schemes. Algorithmic conservation of energy and angular momentum are shown to be closely related to quadrature formulas that are required for the calculation of time integrals. We newly introduce the ‘assumed strain method in time’ which enables the design of energy–momentum conserving schemes and which can be interpreted as temporal counterpart of the well‐established assumed strain method for finite elements in space. The numerical examples deal with quasi‐rigid motion as well as large‐strain motion. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The meshless standard and hypersingular boundary node methods—applications to error estimation and adaptivity in three‐dimensional problems
Authors: Chati Mandar K. , Paulino Glaucio H. , Mukherjee Subrata
Published: August 2002

The standard (singular) boundary node method (BNM) and the novel hypersingular boundary node method (HBNM) are employed for the usual and adaptive solutions of three‐dimensional potential and elasticity problems. These methods couple boundary integral equations with moving least‐squares interpolants while retaining the dimensionality advantage of the former and the meshless attribute of the latter. The ‘hypersingular residuals’, developed for error estimation in the mesh‐based collocation boundary element method (BEM) and symmetric Galerkin BEM by Paulino et al., are extended to the meshless BNM setting. A simple ‘a posteriori’ error estimation and an effective adaptive refinement procedure are presented. The implementation of all the techniques involved in this work are discussed, which includes aspects regarding parallel implementation of the BNM and HBNM codes. Several numerical examples are given and discussed in detail. Conclusions are inferred and relevant extensions of the methodology introduced in this work are provided. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A generalized orthotropic hyperelastic material model with application to incompressible shells
Authors: Itskov Mikhail
Published: August 2002

In the present paper a new orthotropic hyperelastic constitutive model is proposed which can be applied to the numerical simulation of a wide range of anisotropic materials and particularly biological soft tissues. The model represents a non‐linear extension of the orthotropic St. Venant–Kirchhoff material and is described in each principal material direction by an arbitrary isotropic tensor function coupled with the corresponding structural tensor. In the special case of isotropy this constitutive formulation reduces to the Valanis–Landel hypothesis and may therefore be considered as its generalization to the case of orthotropy. Constitutive relations and tangent moduli of the model are expressed in terms of eigenvalue bases of the right Cauchy–Green tensor C and obtained for the case of distinct and coinciding eigenvalues as well. For the analysis of shells the model is then coupled with a six (five in incompressible case) parametric shell kinematics able to deal with large strains as well as finite rotations. The application of the developed finite shell element is finally illustrated by a number of numerical examples. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An unconditionally stable alternating direction implicit scheme for the two space dimensional linear hyperbolic equation
Authors: Mohanty R. K. , Jain M. K.
Published: August 2002

We report a new unconditionally stable implicit alternating direction implicit (ADI) scheme of O(k2 + h2) for the difference solution of linear hyperbolic equation utt + 2αut + β2u = uxx + uyy + f(x, y, t), αβ ≥ 0, 0 < x, y < 1, t > 0 subject to appropriate initial and Dirichlet boundary conditions, where α > 0 and β ≥ 0 are real numbers. The resulting system of algebraic equations is solved by split method. Numerical results are provided to demonstrate the efficiency and accuracy of the method. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq 17: 684–688, 2001
In‐plane birefringence and elongation behavior of uniaxially drawn aromatic polyimide films
Authors: Ando Shinji , Sawada Takashi , Sasaki Shigekuni
Published: August 2002

Six kinds of aromatic poly(amic acid) films, the precursor of polyimides, were uniaxially drawn by constant loads during thermal curing with varying the final curing temperature and the load. The in‐plane birefringence (Δn) generated by uniaxial orientation of polyimide molecules in the film plane was investigated in relation with their molecular structures and the elongation behavior of polyimide films. The polyimides derived from pyromellitic dianhydride (PMDA) showed much larger values of Δn than the polyimides derived from dianhydrides having rotatable diphenyl linkages. The Δn of the former polyimides increases with increasing the final curing temperature and the elongation between the most shrunken and the most elongated states during curing. In particular, the polyimides having rod‐like structures show the largest value of Δn. In contrast, the latter polyimides take maximal values of Δn at much lower temperatures. The introduction of hexafluroisopropiridene (C(CF3)2) group into the main chain effectively lowers the values of Δn. This result can be related to the inherent low polarizability anisotropy and the decreased molecular packing constant that are characteristic of highly fluorinated groups. These experimental results are qualitatively explained by the calculations of polarizability anisotropies of model compounds using FPT‐MNDO‐PM3 theory. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis and characterization of poly(styrene‐maleic anhydride)‐montmorillonite nanocomposite
Authors: Salahuddin N. , Akelah A.
Published: August 2002

Poly(styrene‐maleic anhydride)‐montmorillonite nanocomposites were prepared by intercalation of layered montmorillonite with the polymer ions. Synthetic approaches including polymerization and phosphonium salt formation have been used for polymer intercalation and dispersion of the host layers in the polymer matrix. The ratio of the mineral in the composites ranged 30–50%. Wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction (WAXD) disclosed that the d(001) spacing between the internal lamellar surface were only expanding to about 13 and 15 Å according to the type of phosphonium salt suggesting packing of polymer molecules between the layers. Examination of these materials by scanning and transmission electron microscopy showed spherical nano size particles of average diameter, 350 nm. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
One Step Purification of Corilagin and Ellagic Acid from Phyllanthus urinaria using High‐Speed Countercurrent Chromatography
Authors: Jikai Liu , Yue Huang , Henkel Thomas , Weber Karlheinz
Published: August 2002

High‐speed countercurrent chromatography (HSCCC) has been successfully applied to the preparative separation of corilagin and ellagic acid in one step from the Chinese medicinal plant Phyllanthus urinaria L. by use of direct and successive injections of a crude methanolic extract. Some aspects concerning the practical use of this technique in the described application are considered. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Diagnosing diabetes mellitus in clinical practice: is fasting plasma glucose a good initial test?*
Authors: Gatling W. , Begley J.P.
Published: August 2002

Aims.

To investigate the sensitivity of using fasting plasma glucose as the first line test to diagnose diabetes mellitus by comparison of established 1985 WHO diagnostic criteria with use of a fasting plasma glucose of ≥7 mmol/L as recommended by the ADA and endorsed by WHO.

Method.

Retrospective analysis of 1864 oral glucose tolerance tests undertaken in patients with a clinical suspicion of diabetes.

Results.

Using an FPG of ≥7 mmol/L alone resulted in a 17.4% reduction in the prevalence of DM when compared with 1985 WHO criteria and a 8.7% reduction in the prevalence of any abnormality of glucose tolerance. Overall concordance between the two methods of assessment was 68.9%. Of those classified as abnormal by WHO, 257/990 (26.0%) (75/592 (12.2%) DM and 185/378 (46.5%) IGT), would be reclassified as normal if only FPG were measured. 667 (35.8% of those tested) could be diagnosed as diabetic if either an FPG≥7 mmol/L or a 2 h PP level ≥11.1 mmol/L were considered, of whom 178 (26.7%) would be missed if only FPG were considered. Of those diagnosed as diabetic on the basis of an FPG ≥7 mmol/L, 96 (19.6%) had a 2 hour glucose concentration <11.1 mmol/L. Using a reduced cut‐off level to prompt further investigation with an OGTT improved sensitivity though at the expense of specificity and with the requirement for an increasing number of OGTTs.

Conclusion.

In people where there is a clinical suspicion of diabetes, using fasting plasma glucose alone for diagnosis will miss a significant number with abnormal glucose tolerance. Until long term outcome data are available, diabetes should not be excluded without a measure of either a post‐prandial glucose level or OGTT. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Vaccine Safety Datalink project
Authors: DeStefano Frank ,   The Vaccine Safety Datalink Research Group
Published: August 2002

The Vaccine Safety Datalink (VSD) is a collaborative project between the National Immunization Program of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and several large health maintenance organizations (HMOs) in the United States. The project began in 1990 with the primary purpose of rigorously evaluating concerns about the safety of vaccines. Computerized data on vaccination, medical outcome (e.g. hospital discharge, outpatient visits, emergency room visits, and deaths), and covariate data (e.g. birth certificates and census) are prospectively collected at multiple HMOs (initially four) and linked under joint protocol for analyses. Approximately 6 million people (2% of the US population) are members of HMOs participating in the VSD. The VSD has proven to be a valuable resource that has provided important information on a number of vaccine safety issues. The databases and infrastructure created for the VSD have also provided opportunities to address other immunization questions including vaccination coverage and cost‐effectiveness. In a recent investigation of intussusception following rotavirus vaccination, the VSD methodology was expanded to include 10 managed care organizations. A cohort study was conducted that allowed estimation of incidence rates of intussusception and attributable risks associated with rotavirus vaccine. Published in 2001 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Safety of anthrax vaccine: a review by the Anthrax Vaccine Expert Committee (AVEC) of adverse events reported to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS)
Authors: Sever John L. , Brenner Alan I. , Gale Arnold D. , Lyle Jerry M. , Moulton Lawrence H. , West David J.
Published: August 2002

Purpose

To assess the safety of a licensed anthrax vaccine given to nearly 400 000 US military personnel, reports of adverse events (AEs) submitted to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) were reviewed and evaluated medically.

Methods

The Anthrax Vaccine Expert Committee (AVEC), a civilian panel of private‐sector physicians and other scientists, reviewed 602 VAERS reports using a Delphic approach (structured expert consensus) to assess the causal relationship between vaccination and the reported AEs and sought to identify unexpected patterns in the occurrence of medically important events. Reports were entered into a database and used to profile AEs with respect to person, type/location, relative frequency, severity/impact, concomitant illness or receipt of other drugs or vaccines, and vaccine lot.

Results

Nearly half the reports noted a local injection‐site AE, with more than one‐third of these involving a moderate to large degree of inflammation. Six events qualified as serious AEs (SAEs), and all were judged to be certain consequences of vaccination. Three‐quarters of the reports cited a systemic AE (most common: flu‐like symptoms, malaise, rash, arthralgia, headache), but only six individual medically important events were judged possibly or probably due to vaccine (aggravation of spondyloarthropathy (2), anaphylactoid reaction, arthritis (2), bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia)

Conclusions

Since some cases of local inflammation involved distal paresthesia, AVEC recommends giving subcutaneous injections of AVA over the inferior deltoid instead of the triceps to avoid compression injury to the ulnar nerve. At this time, ongoing evaluation of VAERS reports does not suggest a high frequency or unusual pattern of serious or other medically important AEs. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Microwave dielectric relaxation and molecular dynamics in binary mixtures of poly(propylene glycol) 2000 and poly(ethylene glycol)s of varying molecular weight in dilute solution
Authors: Sengwa R J , Chaudhary Rakhee
Published: August 2002

Molecular dynamics of binary mixtures of poly(propylene glycol) (PPG) and poly(ethylene glycol)s (PEGs) of varying molecular weight due to molecular interactions, chain coiling and elongation in dilute solution under various conditions, ie varying number of monomer units of PEG, method of mixing of polymers and solvent environment, has been explored using microwave dielectric relaxation times. The average relaxation time τo, relaxation time corresponding to segmental motion τ1 and group rotations τ2, of a series of binary mixtures of poly(propylene glycol) 2000 and poly(ethylene glycol) of varying molecular weight (ie PPG 2000 + PEG 200, PPG 2000 + PEG 300, PPG 2000 + PEG 400, and PPG 2000 + PEG 600 mixed by equal volume in the pure liquid states, and PPG 2000 + PEG 1500, PPG 2000 + PEG 4000 and PPG 2000 + PEG 6000 mixed equal weights in solvent) have been determined in dilute solution in benzene and carbon tetrachloride at 10.10 GHz and 35 °C. A comparison of the results of these binary systems of highly associating molecules shows that the molecular dynamics corresponding to rotation of a molecule as a whole and segmental motion in dilute solutions are governed by the solvent density when the solutes are mixed in their pure liquid state. Furthermore, the molecular motion is independent of solvent environment when the polymers are added separately in the solvent for the preparation of binary mixtures. It has also been observed that there is a systematic elongation of the dynamic network of the species formed during mixing of pure liquid polymers in lighter environment of solvent with increasing PEG monomer units, while the elongation behaviour of the same species in the heavier environment of carbon tetrachloride solvent is in contrast to the elongation behaviour of the polymeric species formed in pure PEG. The role of rotating methyl side‐groups in the PPG molecular chain has been discussed in term of the breaking and reforming of hydrogen bonds in complex polymeric species for the segmental motion. In all these mixtures, the relaxation time corresponding to group rotations is independent of the solvent environment and constituents of the binary mixtures. The effect of chain flexibility and coiling in these binary mixtures is discussed by comparing the relaxation times of the mixtures with their individual relaxation times in dilute solutions measured earlier in this laboratory.

© 2001 Society of Chemical Industry
Synthesis and stability of linear and star polymers containing [C60] fullerene
Authors: Pantazis Dimitris , Pispas Stergios , Hadjichristidis Nikos
Published: August 2002

Linear and symmetric star block copolymers of styrene and isoprene containing [C60] fullerene were synthesized by anionic polymerization and appropriate linking postpolymerization chemistry. In all block copolymers, the C60 was connected to the terminal polyisoprene (PI) block. The composition of the copolymers was kept constant (∼30% wt PI), whereas the molecular weight of the diblock chains was varied. The polymers were characterized with a number of techniques, including size exclusion chromatography, membrane osmometry, and 1H NMR spectroscopy. The combined characterization results showed that the synthetic procedures followed led to well‐defined materials. However, degradation of the fractionated star‐shaped copolymers was observed after storage for 2 months at 4 °C, whereas the nonfractionated material was stable. To further elucidate the reasons for this degradation, we prepared and studied a four‐arm star copolymer with the polystyrene part connected to C60 and a six‐arm star homopolymer of styrene. These polymers as well as linear copolymers end‐capped, through N<, with C60 were stable. Possible reasons are discussed. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 39: 2494–2507, 2001
Inclusion complexes of α‐cyclodextrin and (AB)n block copolymers
Authors: Olson Kirk , Chen Yiyan , Baker Gregory L.
Published: August 2002

Cyclodextrins thread onto polymer chains to form inclusion complexes, especially when the polymer is hydrophobic relative to the solvent. Selective threading might occur when the polymer architecture contains both hydrophobic and hydrophilic segments. α‐Cyclodextrin formed crystalline inclusion complexes with (AB)n microblock copolymers, where the A block was a linear alkyl segment containing a single double bond and the B block was an exact length segment of poly(ethylene oxide). The complexes were isolated and characterized by solution and solid‐state NMR, X‐ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, and thermogravimetric analysis. Each method confirmed complex formation and showed that the physical properties of the complexes were distinct from those of its individual components. The X‐ray data were consistent with known inclusion complexes having a channel or column crystal structure. The stoichiometry of the complex formation, 2.3 α‐cyclodextrin rings per polymer repeat unit, was determined by NMR analysis of the complexes and from an analysis of the inclusion complex yields. The data suggest that the inclusion complex stoichiometry is defined by the increasing insolubility of the polymer–cyclodextrin complex. Solid‐state NMR data were consistent with a preference for threading onto hydrophobic segments of the (AB)n polymer. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 39: 2731–2739, 2001
Synthesis and properties of poly(arylene ether)s bearing sulfonic acid groups on pendant phenyl rings
Authors: Miyatake Kenji , Hay Allan S.
Published: August 2002

Two kinds of new aromatic poly(arylene ether)s containing sulfonic acid groups were synthesized. Polymer 1 composed of tetraphenylphenylene ether and perfluorobiphenylene units was sulfonated with chlorosulfonic acid. Sulfonation took place only at the para position of the pendant phenyl rings. The average degree of sulfonation per repeating unit (m) was controlled from 1 to 4. Sulfonated polymer 2 with m = 3 was soluble in methanol and dimethyl sulfoxide and swelled in water. Incorporating bis(3,5‐dimethylphenyl)sulfone moieties into the sulfonated polymer imparts less methanol affinity. Polymers 4 with 30–65 mol % tetrakis(sulfophenyl)phenylene ether units has high decomposition temperatures above 300 °C, hydrophilicity, and good hydrolytic stability. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 39: 3211–3217, 2001
Probing the molecular interactions in the diffusion of water through epoxy and epoxy–bismaleimide networks
Authors: Musto Pellegrino , Ragosta Giuseppe , Scarinzi Gennaro , Mascia Leno
Published: August 2002

Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy in the near‐infrared (NIR) frequency range was used to investigate the molecular interactions occurring between absorbed water molecules and networks based on a tetrafunctional epoxy resin. One of these networks was a typical formulation containing 4,4′‐diamino diphenylsulfone as a hardener, and the other was a modified resin containing 4,4′‐bismaleimide‐diphenylmethane (BMI) as a coreactive monomer. Molecular spectroscopy analysis confirmed the existence of mobile water localized into network defects (microvoids) that did not interact with the networks and water molecules bound to the networks through hydrogen‐bonding interactions. In the BMI‐containing system, the fraction of bound water decreased significantly with respect to the unmodified epoxy resin. This was a relevant result because the bound water was primarily responsible for the plasticization of the network and for the consequent worsening of mechanical performance. Water diffusion was investigated with gravimetric sorption measurements and time‐resolved Fourier transform NIR spectroscopy measurements. These showed that the presence of BMI decreased the water uptake at equilibrium, enhanced the diffusivity, and reduced the activation energy for diffusion. A dual‐mode model for diffusion was found to be suitable for accurately describing the mass‐transport process in both investigated systems. The results of the model simulations allowed us to estimate the ratio of free and bound water, which was in good agreement with that obtained from the spectroscopic analysis. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 40: 922–938, 2002
Pulsed electrostatic fields (ETG) to reduce hair loss in women undergoing chemotherapy for breast carcinoma: A pilot study
Authors: Benjamin Benji , Ziginskas Danute , Harman John , Meakin Timothy
Published: August 2002

Aims: To determine whether specific pulsed electrostatic fields, or electrotrichogenesis (ETG), could potentially prevent or reduce hair loss in patients undergoing adjuvant cyclophosphamide, methotrexate and 5‐fluorouracil (CMF) chemotherapy for breast cancer.

Methods: Thirteen women were followed during their adjuvant ETG and chemotherapy treatment to determine the efficacy of ETG. All patients were treated for 12 min, twice weekly with a pulsed electrostatic field. Quantitative hair loss was measured by photographic assessment, and manual hair count. Quality of life assessment was conducted at the end of the study.

Results: Twelve out of 13 participants had good hair retention throughout the chemotherapy period and afterwards. There were no reported side effects attributable to ETG.

Conclusions: This study shows encouraging results in an area where no other appropriate treatment is available Reducing alopecia, secondary to chemotherapy has the potential to increase CMF treatment compliance, enhance patient self‐esteem, and improve overall quality of life during this stressful period Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Primary bronchopulmonary leiomyosarcoma of the left main bronchus in a child presenting with wheezing and atelectasis of the left lung
Authors: Lai Dong‐Shang , Lue Ko‐Huang , Su Jang‐Ming , Chang Han
Published: August 2002

Primary lung tumors are rare in children, and primary bronchopulmonary leiomyosarcomas are very rare in children, with only 10 cases reported in the English‐language literature. We report on the eleventh case of primary bronchopulmonary leiomyosarcoma in a child, and it is the first case in Taiwan, and also in Asia. In addition, this is the second case of this tumor arising in the left main bronchus. Before the present case, there were only 2 cases of this tumor in the main bronchus: one was in the right main‐stem bronchus, and the other in the left‐stem main bronchus. Ours is the second case showing pleural effusion. Chest roentgenogram and bronchoscopy are helpful in the diagnosis of primary bronchopulmonary tumors, but a definitive diagnosis can only be made by biopsy. The tumor is potentially curable if total excision is possible; irradiation has little therapeutic value, and early excision offers the only hope of cure. The child is alive and well 19 months after pneumonectomy, without having received radiotherapy or chemotherapy. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2002; 33:318‐321. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Identification of single nucleotide polymorphisms in the human kallikrein 10 (KLK10) gene and their association with prostate, breast, testicular, and ovarian cancers
Authors: Bharaj Bhupinder B. , Luo Liu‐Ying , Jung Klaus , Stephan Carsten , Diamandis Eleftherios P.
Published: August 2002

Background

The KLK10 gene (also known as the normal epithelial cell‐specific 1 gene) is a member of the expanded human kallikrein gene family. Recently, it has been reported that KLK10 is a tumor suppressor gene and that its expression is downregulated in various forms of cancer and cancer cell lines. KLK10 is also upregulated in ovarian cancer. We thus hypothesized that the KLK10 gene may be a target for mutations in various cancers.

Methods

We sequenced the five coding exons of the KLK10 gene using genomic DNA from various tumors, normal tissues, and blood, by PCR amplification and automated sequencing.

Results

In none of the tumor‐derived DNAs, we identified somatic mutations that could inactivate this gene. However, we identified a prevalent germline single nucleotide variation at codon 50 (exon 3) of this gene [GCC (alanine) to TCC (serine)]. The GCC genotype was less prevalent in prostatic cancer patients in comparison to control subjects (P = 0.027) but no differences were seen with testicular, ovarian, and breast cancer. We also identified four genetic variations in exon 4, at codons106 [GGC (glycine) to GGA (glycine)], codon 112 [ACG (threonine) to ACC (threonine)], codon 141 [CTA (leucine) to CTG (leucine)], and at codon 149 [CCG (proline) to CTG (leucine)]. None of these variations was significantly different between normal subjects and cancer groups.

Conclusions

We found no evidence for somatic mutations of the KLK10 gene in cancers of the prostate, breast, ovary, and testis. The single nucleotide variation at codon 50 appears to be associated with prostate cancer risk. Prostate 51:35–41, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Increased expression of lymphocyte‐derived cytokines in benign hyperplastic prostate tissue, identification of the producing cell types, and effect of differentially expressed cytokines on stromal cell proliferation
Authors: Kramer Gero , Steiner Georg E. , Handisurya Alessandra , Stix Ursula , Haitel Andrea , Knerer Birgit , Gessl Alois , Lee Chung , Marberger Michael
Published: August 2002

BACKGROUND

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) frequently exhibit infiltration of CD4 +/CD45RO + memory‐T‐lymphocytes. Expression and impact of lymphocyte‐derived growth factors on prostatic stromal cell (PSC) growth were investigated.

METHODS

Lymphokine synthesis in normal prostate tissues (n = 3), BPH‐tissues (n = 13), BPH‐derived T‐cells (n = 6), BPH‐derived epithelial cells (BPH‐EC) (n = 5), normal prostate‐derived (n = 3) and BPH‐derived stromal cell lines (BPH‐SC) (n = 6), and prostate cancer (CaP) lines (n = 3) was analyzed by RT‐PCR and Southern‐blotting. The effect of interleukin (IL)‐2, ‐4, ‐7, and interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ) on normal and BPH‐SC growth was investigated by 3H‐thymidine incorporation assays.

RESULTS

All BPH‐tissues and, to a lesser degree, normal prostates, expressed significant amounts of IFN‐γ mRNA. However, only BPH‐tissues contained IL‐2 and IL‐4 mRNA (ratio: 10:13). BPH‐T‐cell lines were heterogenous in composition and expressed significant amounts of IFN‐γ, IL‐2, and IL‐4 mRNA. Low level expression of these lymphokines was also observed in BPH‐EC, CaP lines, and PSC lines. IL‐2, ‐7 and IFN‐γ stimulated the proliferation of BPH‐PSC lines but not that of normal PSC, while IL‐4 inhibited BPH‐PSC growth.

CONCLUSIONS

Chronic inflammation may induce an increased growth pattern of fibromuscular tissue in BPH similar to that of wound healing. Prostate 52: 43–58, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Identification of differentially expressed genes in organ‐confined prostate cancer by gene expression array
Authors: Chetcuti Albert , Margan Sienna , Mann Stephen , Russell Peter , Handelsman David , Rogers John , Dong Qihan
Published: August 2002

BACKGROUND

To understand the molecular mechanisms underlying prostate cancer, we have utilized the gene expression array to search for genes whose expression is altered in this disease.

METHODS

RNA quality from manual microdissected tissue was compared with that from microselected tissue by electrophoresis. For array analysis, malignant and normal prostate epithelium was enriched using microselection technique from prostate cancer and the peripheral zone of a normal prostate. Identical array membrane was hybridized to labeled cancer and normal cDNA, respectively. The differentially expressed gene was further evaluated by RT‐PCR.

RESULTS

Microdissection, but not microselection, causes visible degradation to RNA. Of the 588 genes on the membrane, 87 genes yielded significant signals. Based on a three fold difference relative to normal prostate tissue, 1 gene was overexpressed and 12 genes underexpressed in prostate cancer. Of them, five showed statistically significant reduction in mRNA levels in six prostate cancer specimens compared with seven normal prostate specimens. These five genes are glutathione S‐transferase M1 (GSTM1), monocyte chemotactic protein‐1 (MCP‐1), tumor necrosis factor‐α receptor‐1 (TNFR‐1), transforming growth factor beta3 (TGF‐β3), and inhibitor of DNA binding‐1 (ID‐1).

CONCLUSIONS

GST‐based metabolism, cytokine MCP‐1 and TNFR‐1, and TGF‐β3 signaling pathways, and some helix‐loop‐helix nuclear proteins could be potentially important in organ‐confined prostate cancer and deserve further investigation. Prostate 47:132–140, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Novel nonsecosteroidal vitamin D receptor modulator inhibits the growth of LNCaP xenograft tumors in athymic mice without increased serum calcium
Authors: Polek Tara C. , Murthy Shalini , Blutt Sarah E. , Boehm Marcus F. , Zou Aihua , Weigel Nancy L. , Allegretto Elizabeth A.
Published: August 2002

Background

We recently reported on novel vitamin D receptor (VDR) modulators that are structurally distinct from the secosteroid 1,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3), the endogenous activator of VDR. One of these compounds, LG190119, was tested for the ability to inhibit the growth of LNCaP human prostate cancer cell‐derived tumors in athymic mice.

Methods

In one study, athymic mice with established LNCaP xenograft tumors were dosed orally every day with LG190119 (3 or 10 mg/kg) or with a synthetic analog of 1,25(OH)2D3, EB1089 (1 μg/kg), for 15 days. In another study (“prevention mode”), oral administration (every other day) of 10 mg/kg LG190119 or a non‐hypercalcemic dose of 1,25(OH)2D3 (0.5 μg/kg) was initiated prior to tumor development and continued for 84 days. In both studies, tumor volumes, mouse weights, and serum calcium levels were measured.

Results

In the established tumor study, LG190119 at each dose resulted in significant tumor growth inhibition without hypercalcemia at both 10 and 15 days. EB1089 treatment resulted in significant tumor growth inhibition only at Day 10 and resulted in hypercalcemia at Day 15. In the prevention‐mode study, LG190119 markedly slowed tumor growth without increased serum calcium in comparison with either vehicle or 1,25(OH)2D3 treatment (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

LG190119 effectively inhibited LNCaP xenograft tumor growth without increased serum calcium levels or any other apparent side effects. Compounds of this class may represent promising new therapeutics for treatment of prostate cancer and other cancers with fewer undesirable side effects than currently used drugs. Prostate 49:224–233, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
DNA‐based genotyping techniques for the detection of point mutations associated with insecticide resistance in Colorado potato beetle Leptinotarsa decemlineata
Authors: Clark J Marshall , Lee Si Hyeock , Kim Hyo Jeong , Yoon Kyong Sup , Zhang Aiguo
Published: August 2002

Three DNA‐based genotyping techniques, bi‐directional PCR amplification of specific allele (bi‐PASA), single‐stranded conformational polymorphism (SSCP) and minisequencing, have been developed and compared for the detection of the S291G (insensitive acetylcholinesterase) and L1014F (insensitive sodium channel) mutations associated with azinphos‐methyl and permethrin resistance, respectively, in the Colorado potato beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata). Extraction of genomic DNA from individual neonates that were hatched from previously collected egg masses is the most efficient and reliable means to obtain suitable templates in terms of convenience, economy, speed and DNA quality. Bi‐PASA, employing two allele‐specific primers, appears to be the most efficient and rapid genotyping method for the simultaneous detection of both resistant/susceptible homozygous (SS, RR) and heterozygous (SR) alleles. Its resolution, however, is strongly dependent on the quality of template genomic DNA. SSCP also allows unambiguous genotyping, including the detection of heterozygous alleles, and is less dependent on template DNA quality, but requires a longer processing time. Minisequencing is amenable to a 96‐well microtiter plate format for the processing of a large number of samples and allows direct detection of resistant/susceptible homozygous alleles but is not as efficient as the PASA and SSCP in detecting heterozygous alleles. In considering the advantages and disadvantages of each technique, DNA‐based genotyping is best employed in combinations, with the bi‐PASA as the primary method and the SSCP and minisequencing as the secondary validating methods. These methods are rugged, rapid, cost‐effective and capable of resolving SS, RR and SR individuals. The availability of such DNA‐based genotyping techniques, using neonate genomic DNA as templates, will enable the precise monitoring of the resistant and susceptible allele frequencies, including those of heterozygote individuals, in field populations of L decemlineata.

© 2001 Society of Chemical Industry
A review of seismic hazard description in US design codes and procedures
Authors: Beavers James E
Published: August 2002

A review of seismic hazard description in United States design codes and procedures is presented in this paper. This review includes: history of seismic hazard maps; development and use of seismic hazard maps; and use and adoption of seismic building codes in the US. The review includes discussion of two paradigm shifts. The first paradigm shift occurred in the 1970s when seismic hazard was described as contour maps of probabilities of peak ground accelerations being exceeded. The second paradigm shift occurred in the 1990s and led to the development of a new concept for describing the use of seismic hazard maps in US seismic design codes.
Vibration analysis of bridges under moving vehicles and trains: an overview
Authors: Au F T K , Cheng Y S , Cheung Y K
Published: August 2002

Vibration of bridges under moving vehicles and trains is of great theoretical and practical significance in civil engineering. In early studies, a moving‐force model was used where the inertia of the vehicle was small compared with that of the bridge, whereas a moving‐mass model was used where the inertia of the vehicle could not be neglected. During the last three decades, the interaction problem between moving vehicles and bridge structures has attracted much attention. The advent of high‐speed digital computers has made it possible to analyse the interaction problem with more sophisticated bridge and vehicle models. This paper presents an overview of the recent research work on vibration analysis of various types of bridges under the action of moving vehicles and trains. Some remarks are made on the modelling of bridges, vehicles and analysis methods.
Training for design of experiments using a catapult
Authors: Antony Jiju
Published: August 2002

Design of experiments (DOE) is a powerful approach for discovering a set of process (or design) variables which are most important to the process and then determine at what levels these variables must be kept to optimize the response (or quality characteristic) of interest. This paper presents two catapult experiments which can be easily taught to engineers and managers in organizations to train for design of experiments. The results of this experiment have been taken from a real live catapult experiment performed by a group of engineers in a company during the training program on DOE. The first experiment was conducted to separate out the key factors (or variables) from the trivial and the second experiment was carried out using the key factors to understand the nature of interactions among the key factors. The results of the experiment were analysed using simple but powerful graphical tools for rapid and easier understanding of the results to engineers with limited statistical competency. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometric peptide mapping of high molecular weight glutenin subunits 1Bx7 and 1Dy10 in Cheyenne cultivar
Authors: Cozzolino Rosaria , Giorgi Sabrina Di , Fisichella Salvatore , Garozzo Domenico , Lafiandra Domenico , Palermo Angela
Published: August 2002

This study describes the verification of the cDNA‐deduced amino acid sequences of high molecular weight glutenin subunits 1Dy10 and 1Bx7 in Cheyenne cultivar by direct matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (MALDI‐TOFMS) analysis of their tryptic fragments omitting chromatographic pre‐separation. These polypeptides have a conserved structure consisting of a long central repetitive domain that prevents the application of conventional sequencing procedures such as Edman degradation. The published sequence of subunit 1Dy10 contains 7 Lys and 13 Arg residues; thus the production of 21 tryptic peptides is expected. The cDNA‐deduced sequence for 1Bx7 subunit includes 5 Lys and 15 Arg residues, but the presence of three Arg‐Pro bonds, which are normally not cleaved by trypsin, predicts only 19 tryptic peptides. Three different matrices (DHB, SA and HCCA) in combination with the most compatible sample preparation procedures were used in order to obtain the maximum 1Dy10 and 1Bx7 sequence coverage. MALDI analysis of the 1Dy10 tryptic digest resulted in the identification of all 21 expected peptides. In the case of 1Bx7 MALDI analysis resulted in the identification of 17 of the 19 expected peptides, giving a sequence coverage of 99.3%. These results were sufficient to rule out glycosylation of the 1Dy10 and 1Bx7 proteins and to assess the absence of any other post‐translational modification, to within the detection limits of the method. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Expanding the linear dynamic range in quantitative high performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry by the use of multiple product ions
Authors: Curtis Michael A. , Matassa Luca C. , Demers Roger , Fegan Katrina
Published: August 2002

A strategy for expanding the linear working range in bioanalysis using quantitative high performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC/MS/MS) is presented. The strategy involves monitoring multiple product ions. Herein we demonstrate the strategy on a rat plasma assay for a proprietary experimental drug where the linear range is expanded from 2 to 4 orders of magnitude. A primary sensitive ion was monitored to obtain a high sensitivity range calibration curve (0.400 to 100 ng/mL) while a less sensitive secondary ion was monitored to obtain a low sensitivity range calibration curve (90.0 to 4000 ng/mL). Each calibration curve gave acceptable linearity (r >0.990). Quality control samples at low, mid and high levels within each calibration curve demonstrated acceptable precision and accuracy (within 20% for all levels). The technique was successfully applied to rat pre‐clinical sample analysis. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.