bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison of the ultrastructure of cortical and retinal terminals in the rat dorsal lateral geniculate and lateral posterior nuclei
Authors: Li Jianli , Wang Siting , Bickford Martha E.
Published: April 2003

We compared the ultrastructure and synaptic targets of terminals of cortical or retinal origin in the rat dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) and lateral posterior nucleus (LPN). Following injections of biotinylated dextran amine (BDA) into cortical area 17, two types of corticothalamic terminals were labeled by anterograde transport. Type I terminals, found throughout the LGN and LPN, were small, drumstick‐shaped terminals that extended from thin axons. At the ultrastructural level in both the LGN and LPN, labeled type I corticothalamic terminals were observed to be small profiles that contained densely packed round vesicles (RS profiles) and contacted small‐caliber dendrites. In tissue stained for gamma amino butyric acid (GABA) using postembedding immunocytochemical techniques, most dendrites postsynaptic to type I corticothalamic terminals did not contain GABA (97%). Type II corticothalamic terminals, found only in the LPN, were large terminals that sometimes formed clusters. At the ultrastructural level, type II terminals were large profiles that contained round vesicles (RL profiles) and contacted large‐caliber dendrites, most of which did not contain GABA (98%). Retinogeniculate terminals, identified by their distinctive pale mitochondria, were similar to type II corticothalamic terminals except that 26% of their postsynaptic targets were vesicle‐containing profiles that contained GABA (F2 profiles). Our results suggest that type I corticothalamic terminals are very similar across nuclei but that the postsynaptic targets of RL profiles vary. Comparison of the responses to retinal inputs in the LGN and to layer V cortical inputs in the LPN may provide a unique opportunity to determine the function of interneurons in the modulation of retinal signals and, in addition, may provide insight into the signals relayed by cortical layer V. J. Comp. Neurol. 460:394–409, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Characterization of Foxp2 and Foxp1 mRNA and protein in the developing and mature brain
Authors: Ferland Russell J. , Cherry Timothy J. , Preware Patricia O. , Morrisey Edward E. , Walsh Christopher A.
Published: April 2003

Foxp2 and Foxp1 are recently identified members of the Fox family of winged‐helix/forkhead transcription factor genes. A recent study has found that mutations in human FOXP2 produce a severe language disorder. Since Foxp2 appears to be important in language, we wanted to explore the expression of this gene and a homologous gene, Foxp1, in the developing brain. In the present study, we investigated the time course and localization of Foxp2 and Foxp1 mRNA and protein expression in the developing and adult mouse using in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry. Foxp2 and Foxp1 are expressed as early as E12.5 and persist into adulthood. Foxp2 and Foxp1 were most highly expressed in the developing and mature basal ganglia. Expression of Foxp2 was also observed in the cerebral cortex (layer 6), cerebellum (Purkinje neurons), and thalamus. Foxp1 expression was observed in the cerebral cortex (layers 3–5), hippocampus (CA1), and thalamus. Very little ventricular zone expression was observed for Foxp2 and Foxp1 and the expression of both of these genes occurred following neuronal migration, suggesting a role for these genes in postmigratory neuronal differentiation. Furthermore, we demonstrated the expression of FOXP2 in human fetal brain by RT‐PCR, in the perisylvian area of the left and right cerebral hemispheres, as well as in the frontal and occipital cortices. Overall, the widespread expression of Foxp2 in the developing brain makes it difficult to draw specific conclusions about which areas of Foxp2 expression are critical to human language function. J. Comp. Neurol. 460:266–279, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Expression of transforming growth factor‐β in developing rat cerebral cortex: Effects of prenatal exposure to ethanol
Authors: Miller Michael W.
Published: April 2003

The effects of prenatal ethanol exposure on the spatiotemporal expression of transforming growth factor‐β (TGFβ) and its receptors in developing rat cerebral cortex in vivo were examined. Pregnant Long‐Evans rats were fed ad libitum with a diet containing ethanol from gestational day (G) 6 through G21 or were pair fed an isocaloric nonalcoholic liquid diet. A quantitative immunoblotting study showed that expression of TGFβ ligands was differentially affected by ethanol; ethanol decreased TGFβ1 expression fetally and in the mature cortex and increased TGFβ2 at most ages. A complementary immunohistochemical experiment generated similar results so far as the timing of ligand expression was concerned. In both control and ethanol‐treated rats, TGFβ1 was expressed by cells in the two neocortical proliferative zones and neurons in the cortical plate. TGFβ2 was expressed principally by radial glia and astrocytes in developing rats. In the adult, both ligands were expressed by glia and neurons. Ethanol virtually eliminated the TGFβ1 expression in the perinatal subventricular zone. The TGFβ2‐positive radial glial labeling was transient and was lost earlier in ethanol‐treated neonates than in controls. Concomitantly, the appearance of TGFβ2‐positive glia occurred earlier in the ethanol‐treated rats. The expression of only one receptor (TGFβIr) was affected by ethanol; it was increased during the pre‐ and early postnatal periods. TGFβIr was expressed by glia perinatally and by all cell types in weanlings. As with TGFβ2, ethanol exposure promoted the loss of TGFβIr expression in radial glia and the precocious expression among astrocytes. TGFβIIr was expressed primarily by neurons. Thus, TGFβ ligands and receptors are strategically placed both in time and space to regulate cell proliferation and migration. Ethanol, which affects both of these processes, has marked effects on the TGFβ system and apparently promotes the early transformation of radial glia into astrocytes. J. Comp. Neurol. 460:410–424, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
New deviate observer (JF‐DO) obtained from experimental color‐matching functions for small fields of real observers
Authors: Martínez J. A. , Pérez‐Ocón F. , García‐Beltrán A. , Hita E.
Published: April 2003

The CIE established the Standard Deviate Observer (SDO) CIE 1989 for fields of 10°, enabling the evaluation of discrepancies caused by the variability among these observers. This observer could also be applied to smaller fields, depending on the physiological causes of this variability in color‐matching functions (cmf's) among observers. Here, we have obtained a new Deviate Observer (which we call JF‐DO) established from the cmf's for small fields (2°) corresponding to two groups of real observers: JAM, MM and CF; AY, JR, MR, JL, JA and FA. Both groups of cmf's were measured experimentally in our laboratories using one for each of the different experimental methods and devices. All the new cmf's of the 9 real observers were referred to a new, unique system of unreal primaries, which we call X′Y′Z′ (derived in a way similar to that of the CIE 1931 XYZ system of unreal primaries). To establish a new JF‐DO for small fields, we followed a procedure similar to the one used by the CIE to establish the CIE 1989 SDO. A comparative study was also made between the cmf's of the CIE 1989 SDO (established for fields of 10°), the SDO from Stiles‐Burch (which we call Poza‐SDO, developed for small fields), and our JF‐DO. For this comparison, the cmf's of all these deviate observers were referred to the new system of unreal primaries X′Y′Z′. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Col Res Appl, 28, 209–215, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/col.10146
Effect of color on fashion fabric image
Authors: Choo Sunhyung , Kim Youngin
Published: April 2003

Before the start of every season, fashion forecasting companies predict upcoming fashion colors. They cater to modern consumers, who are very sensitive to fashion trends. Therefore, to satisfy the trendy consumer with a fashion product, the fashion design must first be found, since image matters. Then the design must be followed by an analysis of each design element's effect on the total image composition. Previous studies of fashion image have found a significant correlation between fashion design elements and the fashion image. The effects of each element were studied, but few studies dealt with compound elements. In this thesis, two fashion design elements, color and fabric, are simultaneously considered to classify the fabric image. For color variables, 10 hues were selected from Munsell system of color notation, and 12 tones currently used in the domestic fashion industry were selected from PCCS color notation. Texture variables used in this survey were classified by luster, prominence‐depression of surface, thickness, and density of fabric. Graduate students ranging from 20‐ to 50 years old and specialists in fashion companies participated in the survey. The results of this survey show that: 1) Fashion fabric image is classified into 5 main descriptive image categories: ‘elegant,’ ‘comfortable,’ ‘characteristic,’ ‘light’ and ‘simple.’ 2) The influence of hue, tone, and texture are significant in fashion fabric image. Colors, such as yellow‐red and red hues, and light grayish and dark grayish tones convey an elegant image. The texture property for an elegant image is luster‐thin fabric of low density. Properties of fabric conveying a comfortable image are yellow‐red and green‐yellow hues, softness, light tones, matte finish, and high density. Hue, however, turned out to be an insignificant variable for a unique image, whereas dark grays, grayish tones, luster and prominent texture conveyed a unique image. For the light image, fabric properties are blue‐green and purple hues, light and bright tones, and thin, low‐density textures. Properties of fabric conveying a simple image are blue‐green, purple‐blue, green‐yellow hues, and strong, vivid tones, with luster and flat texture. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Col Res Appl, 28, 221–226, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/col.10147
Analysis of electromagnetic scattering responses using the joint time–frequency technique with adaptive resolutions
Authors: Nishimoto Masahiko , Ikuno Hiroyoshi
Published: April 2003

An adaptive time–frequency analysis technique based on the AGR (Adaptive normalized Gaussian basis Representation) is applied to the analysis of electromagnetic scattering responses. Unlike the short‐time Fourier transform and wavelet transform, the ADS (Adaptive Spectrogram) obtained by this technique has the width and center of the basis functions adjusted automatically depending on the signal components to be analyzed. Therefore, the information lost in the short‐time Fourier transform and the wavelet transform is expected to be well represented in the ADS. By comparison with the results of analysis by the short‐time Fourier transform and the wavelet transform, the characteristics and effectiveness of the present approach are discussed. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn Pt 2, 86(5): 37–44, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ecjb.10101
Interactive fuzzy programming using partial information about preference for multiobjective two‐level linear fractional programming problems
Authors: Shen YongXin , Sakawa Masatoshi , Nishizaki Ichiro
Published: April 2003

This paper proposes an interactive fuzzy programming method for seeking a satisfactory solution for multiobjective two‐level linear fractional programming problems in which the decision makers in the upper and lower levels have several objectives, by first setting up the fuzzy goals for several objectives of each decision maker and seeking a satisfactory solution for the degree of satisfaction of two decision makers in a cooperative manner. In the proposed method, the decision maker at the upper level sets the minimal satisfactory levels for each fuzzy goal and the decision maker at the lower level determines the aspiration levels. The minimal satisfactory levels are treated as a constraint and the solution closest to the aspiration levels of the decision maker at the lower level is computed. The ratio of the aggregative degrees of satisfaction of the decision makers in the upper and lower levels with the obtained solution is evaluated by using partial information on the preference of the decision makers. If the ratio of the degrees of satisfaction satisfies the given condition and the decision maker at the upper level is satisfied with this solution, then the interaction is complete. Otherwise, a satisfactory solution is sought by updating the minimal satisfactory and aspiration levels. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn Pt 3, 86(9): 54–62, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ecjc.10047
A complex adaptive delay filter
Authors: Kusaba Katsuya , Okamura Atsushi , Sekiguchi Takashi
Published: April 2003

Impulse responses of unknown systems for radar and communications are often described in terms of complex numbers. In this paper, a complex‐tap‐selective adaptive filter that allows identification represented by complex numbers for the unknown system localized on the time axis is proposed. In the tap‐selective adaptive filter, the delay time for localized impulse responses is estimated and then the impulse responses in the delay time are estimated. First, temporary weights are set and the delay time is derived in such a way to minimize the mean square of the error signals. However, if the impulse response is described by complex numbers, a large estimation error might be caused when the conventional method of treating unknown systems with real numbers is applied directly for delay time estimation. Hence, two complex numbers that are mutually complex conjugates are set as temporary weights. The performance function based on the sum of the mean squares of the corresponding error signal is used in the proposed method for delay time estimation. In this way, identification of an unknown system with its impulse response located on the time axis and describable with complex numbers is possible. The effectiveness of the proposed method is demonstrated by computer simulation. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn Pt 3, 86(9): 13–21, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ecjc.10087
Design and implementation of an active database system for receiving broadcast data
Authors: Terada Tsutomu , Tsukamoto Masahiko , Nishio Shojiro
Published: April 2003

Satellite‐based data broadcasting has been the focus of increasing attention in recent years due to launches of new broadcasting or communications satellites and the initiation of new services. The popularization of these kinds of broadcasting systems has led to a dramatic increase in both the broadcast volume and types of services. As a result, a system is needed that will enable an ordinary user to efficiently extract, store, and reuse required information from the massive amount of data that is broadcast. In response to this request, the authors propose a super active database system (SADB) and describe its design and implementation. The proposed SADB is an adaptation of an active database, which is an event‐triggered database, to a broadcasting system. Since the SADB must quickly process the massive amount of data that is sent to it, the reception actions and reception data processing were designed independently of the rule processor. This paper evaluates the performance of an implemented system and shows the data volume that it can handle. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn Pt 3, 86(9): 87–99, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ecjc.10111
Numerical method for calculation of the incompressible flow in general curvilinear co‐ordinates with double staggered grid
Authors: Shklyar A. , Arbel A.
Published: April 2003

A solution methodology has been developed for incompressible flow in general curvilinear co‐ordinates. Two staggered grids are used to discretize the physical domain. The first grid is a MAC quadrilateral mesh with pressure arranged at the centre and the Cartesian velocity components located at the middle of the sides of the mesh. The second grid is so displaced that its corners correspond to the centre of the first grid. In the second grid the pressure is placed at the corner of the first grid. The discretized mass and momentum conservation equations are derived on a control volume. The two pressure grid functions are coupled explicitly through the boundary conditions and implicitly through the velocity of the field. The introduction of these two grid functions avoids an averaging of pressure and velocity components when calculating terms that are generated in general curvilinear co‐ordinates. The SIMPLE calculation procedure is extended to the present curvilinear co‐ordinates with double grids. Application of the methodology is illustrated by calculation of well‐known external and internal problems: viscous flow over a circular cylinder, with Reynolds numbers ranging from 10 to 40, and lid‐driven flow in a cavity with inclined walls are examined. The numerical results are in close agreement with experimental results and other numerical data. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A high‐order mass‐lumping procedure for B‐spline collocation method with application to incompressible flow simulations
Authors: Botella O.
Published: April 2003

This paper presents new developments of the staggered spline collocation method for cost‐effective solution to the incompressible Navier–Stokes equations. Maximal decoupling of the velocity and the pressure is obtained by using the fractional step method of Gresho and Chan, allowing the solution to sparse elliptic problems only. In order to preserve the high‐accuracy of the B‐spline method, this fractional step scheme is used in association with a sparse approximation to the inverse of the consistent mass matrix. Such an approximation is constructed from local spline interpolation method, and represents a high‐order generalization of the mass‐lumping technique of the finite‐element method. A numerical investigation of the accuracy and the computational efficiency of the resulting semi‐consistent spline collocation schemes is presented. These schemes generate a stable and accurate unsteady Navier–Stokes solver, as assessed by benchmark computations. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Genetic maps of microsatellite and single‐nucleotide polymorphism markers: Are the distances accurate?
Authors: Leal Suzanne M.
Published: April 2003

Genetic maps play an important role in gene mapping. Inaccurate genetic maps can hinder gene mapping by biasing lod scores and reducing the power to map a trait to a particular region. Although sequence‐based physical maps can provide a unique order for markers, they do not provide information on genetic map distances. By simulation studies, I investigated how many meioses are necessary to accurately estimate genetic map distances for maps constructed from microsatellite and single‐nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers for various intermarker distances and marker heterozygosity. To evaluate the accuracy of the generated genetic maps, the length of the 95% confidence interval for intermarker genetic distances was examined. In addition, the power to separate two adjacent markers by a nonzero map distance was investigated. The number of meioses necessary to accurately estimate map distances depends greatly not only on intermarker distances but also on marker heterozygosity. For example, for a genetic map with intermarker distances of 0.5 cM generated with 1,000 meioses, when marker heterozygosity was high (0.90), for 96% of the markers there was a nonzero map distance between adjacent markers. However, when marker heterozygosity was low (0.32), only 48% of the markers mapped to a unique position. For identical numbers of meioses and intermarker distances, genetic maps constructed from microsatellite markers will be more precise than maps assembled from SNP markers, due to the higher levels of heterozygosity for microsatellite markers. Genet Epidemiol 24:243–252, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Exploring the “two‐hit hypothesis” in NF2: Tests of two‐hit and three‐hit models of vestibular schwannoma development
Authors: Woods Ryan , Friedman J. M. , Evans D. Gareth R , Baser Michael E. , Joe Harry
Published: April 2003

Neurofibromatosis 2 (NF2) is a genetic disease that occurs in approximately 1 in 40,000 live births. Almost all affected individuals develop bilateral tumors of Schwann cells that surround the vestibular nerves; these tumors are known as vestibular schwannomas (VS). Evidence from molecular genetic studies suggests that at least two mutations are involved in formation of VS in patients with NF2. Several authors proposed probabilistic models for this process in other tumors, and showed that such models are consistent with incidence data. We evaluated two different probabilistic models for a “2‐hit” hypothesis for VS development in NF2 patients, and we present results from fitting these models to incidence data. Molecular evidence does not exclude the possibility that additional hits are necessary for the development of VS, and we also assessed a “3‐hit” model for tumor formation. The “3‐hit” model fits the data marginally better than one of the “2‐hit” models and much better than the other “2‐hit” model. Our findings suggest that more than two mutations may be necessary for VS development in NF2 patients. Genet Epidemiol 24:265–272, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Physical and biological evaluations of sintered hydroxyapatite/silicone composite with covalent bonding for a percutaneous implant material
Authors: Furuzono Tsutomu , Wang Pao‐Li , Korematsu Arata , Miyazaki Kozo , Oido‐Mori Mari , Kowashi Yusuke , Ohura Kiyoshi , Tanaka Junzo , Kishida Akio
Published: April 2003

A composite (HA/silicone) of hydroxyapatite (HA) microparticles with an average diameter of 2.0 μm covalently linked to a silicone substrate has been developed, and its physical and biological properties as a percutaneous soft‐tissue‐compatible material have been evaluated. In tensile property measurement, samples of HA/silicone and the original silicone were similar in tensile strength, ca. 7.8 MPa, and elongation at break, ca. 570%. It was found that chemical surface modification with HA particles presented no mechanical disadvantage. In an adhesive‐tape peeling test, scanning electron microscopic (SEM) observation showed that HA particles coupled directly to the substrate were not removed. HA particles may bond strongly with the substrate. In human periodontal ligament fibroblast attachment and proliferation experiments, the number of cells attached to HA/silicone was 14 times greater than that attached to the original silicone after 24 h of incubation. The value on HA/silicone was ca. 80% versus that on a tissue‐culture plastic used as a positive control. After 72 h of incubation, the number of cells grown on HA/silicone increased to the level of the positive control. In observation of fluorescence microscopy stained by Hoechst 33342, cells appeared to tightly adhere to HA particles coupled to the silicone sheet due to intact nuclear morphology. Observation of cells by fluorescence dye with rhodamin phalloidin showed an extensive F‐actin cytoskeleton on HA/silicone. In a 4‐week animal implant test, force required to pull out the HA/silicone sheet was 15 times that of the original silicone. HA‐particle coating on silicone with covalent linkage gave the inert surface bioactivity. The HA composite thus effectively prevents germ infection percutaneously. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 65B: 217–226, 2003
Synthesis of MMP inhibitor radiotracer [11C]CGS 25966, a new potential pet tumor imaging agent
Authors: Fei Xiangshu , Zheng Qi‐Huang , Liu Xuan , Wang Ji‐Quan , Stone K. Lee , Miller Kathy D. , Sledge George W. , Hutchins Gary D.
Published: April 2003

[11C]CGS 25966, a novel radiolabeled matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) inhibitor, has been synthesized for evaluation as new potential positron emission tomography (PET) tumor imaging agent. The precursor was labeled by [11C]methyl triflate through O‐[11C]methylation method at the hydroxyl position of phenol under basic conditions and isolated by HPLC purification to produce pure target compound in 15–25% radiochemical yield, based on 11CO2, decay corrected to end of bombardment. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The effects of interaction on consumers' attitudes in focus groups
Authors: Bristol Terry , Fern Edward F.
Published: April 2003

This article questions the use of focus groups for assessing consumer attitudes. A repeated‐measures research design was used to determine whether the interaction and discussion among focus‐group participants changed their attitudes. Experimental results indicate that focus‐group participants' overall attitudes, beliefs, intentions to purchase, and preferences shifted from positions previously held. More attitude depolarization occurred in focus groups than in two benchmark methods, the nominal group technique and individual self‐administered surveys. The output gained from focus‐group interviews may generalize more to settings involving interpersonal rather than intrapersonal consumption or purchase processes. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A scale for measuring store personality
Authors: d'Astous Alain , Lévesque Mélanie
Published: April 2003

The objective of this research study was to develop a scale for measuring store personality and to assess its psychometric properties. A preliminary study showed that store personality comprised five dimensions, termed sophistication, solidity, genuineness, enthusiasm, and unpleasantness. A follow‐up survey with 226 adult consumers confirmed the stability of the factorial structure of the 34‐item store‐personality scale as well as the reliability of each composite dimension. Some empirical evidence was gathered with respect to the scale's construct validity, because the proposed store‐personality scale was shown to behave in a manner consistent with self‐image congruence theory. Additional analyses revealed that a reduced scale including 20 items exhibited factorial stability and resulted in reliable measures of the five store‐personality dimensions. Finally, some empirical support was obtained in favor of using the proposed scale across different retail settings. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Zero‐temperature‐coefficient biasing point of a fully‐depleted SOI MOSFET
Authors: Tan T. H. , Goel A. K.
Published: April 2003

The gate characteristics (ID–VGS) of fully depleted, lightly doped, enhanced SOI n‐MOSFET are simulated over a wide range of operating temperature (300–600 K) by using the SILVACO TCAD tools. Simulation results show that there exists a biasing point where the drain current and the transconductance are temperature independent. Such a point is known as the zero‐temperature coefficient (ZTC) bias point. The drain‐current ZTC points are identified in both the linear and saturation regions. The transconductance ZTC exists only in the saturation region. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 37: 366–370, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.10920
Intravenous glucose tolerance test and anti‐GAD65 antibodies in the diagnosis of the type of diabetes mellitus
Authors: Tankova T , Dakovska L , Kirilov G , Koev D
Published: April 2003

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the importance of the phases of insulin secretion, measured during an intravenous glucose tolerance test (IVGTT), and anti‐GAD65 antibodies as a beta‐cell autoimmune marker, in the proper early diagnosis of the type of diabetes in normal‐weight patients aged 30–45 years. Forty‐two newly diagnosed diabetic patients (25 males and 17 females), of mean age 37.2±6.9 years and BMI 24.4±2.7kg/m2, were enrolled in the study; 19 subjects with normal glucose tolerance, of mean age 36.8±7.4 years and mean BMI 24.3±2.3 kg/m2, served as a control group. Using the data from IVGTT and anti‐GAD65 antibodies, the diabetic patients were divided into two groups—type 1 diabetic patients (n=19), showing loss of first (FPIS) and second (SPIS) phases of insulin secretion: 12.9±5.1mU/L versus 134.4±43.7mU/L in the control group, p < 0.001; and 15.4±6.4mU/L versus 64.4±23.6mU/L in the control group, p<0.001, respectively, as well as high prevalence of anti‐GAD65 antibodies: 73.7%; and type 2 diabetic patients (n=23), who demonstrated declined FPIS: 25.9±11.5mU/L (p<0.001 compared with the healthy controls and p<0.01 compared with type 1 diabetic patients), and relatively preserved but retarded SPIS (61.1±17.7mU/L, p>0.1 compared with the healthy controls), none of them being anti‐GAD65 positive. Our results demonstrate that IVGTT allows precise assessment of the phases of insulin secretion and helps to set proper early diagnosis of the type of diabetes. The presence of anti‐GAD65 antibodies alone can set the diagnosis type 1 diabetes, while anti‐GAD65 negativity requires the performance of IVGTT, which can then distinguish between anti‐GAD65 negative type 1 diabetic patients and type 2 diabetic patients. The combination of IVGTT and anti‐GAD65 antibodies appears to be of clinical importance in distinguishing between type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus in normal weight newly diagnosed patients aged 30–45 years and in prescribing adequate treatment. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Primary pulmonary lymphangiectasis in a premature infant: Resolution following intensive care
Authors: Scott C. , Wallis C. , Dinwiddie R. , Owens C. , Coren M.
Published: April 2003

Primary pulmonary lymphangiectasis is a rare disease, often described as fatal within the neonatal period. We report on an infant who developed severe bilateral chylous pleural effusions with computed tomography (CT) features of pulmonary lymphangiectasis. She recovered spontaneously with supportive treatment only. We discuss aspects of her intensive care which might have contributed to the good outcome, and conclude that modern intensive care may allow spontaneous recovery in conditions described in the literature as having a very poor outcome. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2003; 35:405–406. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Necrotizing sarcoid granulomatosis: A rarity in childhood
Authors: Heinrich D. , Gordjani N. , Trusen A. , Marx A. , Hebestreit H.
Published: April 2003

Necrotizing sarcoid granulomatosis (NSG) is characterized by pulmonary nodular infiltrates, a typical histology, and a benign clinical course. The etiology and pathogenesis of the disease are still unknown. In childhood, it is extremely rare, with only three reported cases so far. Here we report on an 8‐year‐old girl, who to our knowledge is the youngest reported patient with NSG. The girl presented with shortness of breath and a sore throat. Chest X‐ray and computed tomography (CT) scan revealed multiple nodular opacities of the lung. The symptoms and radiological findings disappeared within 6 months without any treatment. The diagnosis was based on the typical signs and symptoms of NSG and on the exclusion of other diseases. As abnormal immunological findings such as the lack of specific diphtheria antibodies in spite of vaccination against diphtheria were present, we suggest that immunologic mechanisms could play an etiologic role in the pathogenesis of NSG. In addition, the ratio of CD4+/CD8+ T‐cells in the peripheral blood was significantly reduced, whereas the CD4+/CD8+ T‐cell ratio in the immunohistochemical staining of the lung tissue was elevated. Since this compartmentalization is a typical finding in sarcoidosis, it supports the theory that NSG may represent a variant of sarcoidosis. However, because some characteristics of NSG are uncommon in typical sarcoidosis, NSG may also be an entity in its own right. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2003; 35:407–411. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Comparing the clinical evolution of cystic fibrosis screened neonatally to that of cystic fibrosis diagnosed from clinical symptoms: A 10‐year retrospective study in a French region (Brittany)
Authors: Siret D. , Bretaudeau G. , Branger B. , Dabadie A. , Dagorne M. , David V. , de Braekeleer M. , Moisan‐Petit V. , Picherot G. , Rault G. , Storni V. , Roussey M.
Published: April 2003

Until the year 2000, systematic cystic fibrosis (CF) neonatal screening was only performed in a few regions of France. The Brittany region began in 1989, but not the neighboring region of Loire‐Atlantique. The present study compares the clinical evolution of both affected populations 10 years after screening was started. Although the 77 screened and 36 nonscreened children were followed in different CF centers, they were included in similar care protocols. The clinical characteristics at diagnosis and their evolution over a 10‐year period of all the children affected with CF and born between January 1, 1989 and December 31, 1998, excluding those with meconium ileus, were compared. There were no significant differences in sex ratio, gestational age, anthropometric data at birth, frequency of ΔF508 homozygotes, proportion of pancreatic‐insufficient patients, and mean age between the two populations. Age at diagnosis was lower in the screened group (38 days vs. 472 days, P < 10−7), as was the delay in supplementation with pancreatic enzymes (1.7 months vs.15.9 months, P < 10−7). The proportion of children who were hospitalized at least once was higher among the nonscreened than the screened patients (86% vs. 49%, P < 10−4). Z‐scores for weight and height were significantly better in the screened population, not only in the first years of life, but also at 5 years old for height and 8 years old for weight. The Shwachman and Brasfield scores were higher among the screened children during the whole period of follow‐up. No significant differences in colonization by Pseudomonas aeruginosa nor in lung function were found. Given the homogeneity in the characteristics and the follow‐up of both populations, the benefits in terms of nutrition and clinical well‐being of neonatal screening appear to be clear, thus confirming the advantages of its general implementation. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2003; 35:342–349. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Correlations between exhaled nitric oxide levels, blood eosinophilia, and airway obstruction reversibility in childhood asthma are detectable only in atopic individuals
Authors: Silvestri Michela , Sabatini Federica , Sale Rosa , Defilippi Anna‐Carla , Fregonese Laura , Battistini Elena , Biraghi Maurizio G. , Rossi Giovanni A.
Published: April 2003

The aim of this study was to compare in atopic and nonatopic asthmatic children correlations between two inflammation parameters, i.e., blood eosinophilia and exhaled nitric oxide (FENO), and pulmonary function values, at baseline and after β2‐adrenergic bronchodilators. Ninety‐two steroid‐naive asthmatic children were evaluated: 26 were skin prick test‐ and RAST‐negative (nonatopic subjects), whereas 66 were atopic, 15 being sensitized only to house dust mites (monosensitized) and 51 to mites and to at least one other class of allergens (polysensitized). Baseline spirometric values (FEV1 and FEF25–75%) were similar in atopic and nonatopic groups (P > 0.1, each comparison). However, when compared to nonatopic subjects, atopic children showed a significantly higher degree of blood eosinophilia (3.0% and 6.7% white blood cell count, respectively; P = 0.0001) and higher FENO levels (6.8 ppb and 16.0 ppb, respectively; P = 0.0001). While a positive correlation between FENO levels and blood eosinophilia was observed in atopic children (r = 0.25, P = 0.041), no correlations between these two inflammation parameters and baseline pulmonary function values were demonstrated in any of the asthmatic groups. Inhalation of a β2‐agonist drug induced in the two asthmatic populations similar improvements in FEV1 and FEF25–75% and no changes in FENO levels or blood eosinophilia. However, only in atopic children positive correlations were found between percent variation in FEV1 (Δ%FEV1) and FENO levels (r = 0.35, P = 0.006) or blood eosinophilia (r = 0.26, P = 0.04). Within the atopic group, no differences were found between mono‐ and polysensitized individuals in all parameters evaluated. Thus only in atopic children did parameters of inflammation correlate with airway obstruction reversibility. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2003; 35:358–363. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Is the FeC cluster linear? Theoretical study of the equilibrium structure and bonding of FeC
Authors: Cao Zexing , Zhang Qianer
Published: April 2003

Ab initio electron correlation methods and density functional theory are used to investigate the structure, bonding, and stability of FeC. Theoretical calculations show that the ground state of the FeC anion strongly depends on the level of theory. The linear 4Σ− state with an open configuration δ2σ1 is predicted to be the ground state of FeC at the coupled‐cluster theory restricted to single, double, and noniterative triple excitations (CCSD[T])//CISD and multireference (MR) second‐order Moller–Plesset (MP2)//CAS self‐consistent field (SCF) levels. Next stable conformations are a C2V ring structure II (4B2) and a C2V structure III (4A2) in which Fe is bonded to one carbon atom of a triangular C3. However, CISD and CCSD//CISD calculations show that the C2V ring structure II and the C2V structure III are more slightly stable than is the linear structure I of FeC. The harmonic vibrational frequencies and relevant vertical electron binding energies are reported. Possible detachment transitions in the photoelectron spectrum of FeC are discussed on the basis of current calculations. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem 93: 275–279, 2003
Choice of test for comparing two groups, with particular application to skewed outcomes
Authors: White Ian R. , Thompson Simon G.
Published: April 2003

We consider a clinical trial where a skewed outcome variable is to be compared between two groups. While comparison of sample means may lack power, we show that power also depends on the nature of the anticipated treatment effect. For any given distribution in the control arm, there is a family of true distributions in the intervention arm for which the most powerful test is a comparison of arithmetic means. Similar results hold for a comparison of geometric means, and approximately for the Wilcoxon rank sum test and a comparison of medians. We discuss how these methods could be used in planning the analysis of a clinical trial in which the intervention effect alters the shape of the distribution. These ideas are illustrated by a trial in community psychiatry, where the primary outcome (days in hospital) was highly skewed but the intervention was mainly expected to reduce the frequency of values in the tail. We show that a comparison of sample means is a reasonable choice in this case despite the skewness. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Robustness and power of analysis of covariance applied to ordinal scaled data as arising in randomized controlled trials
Authors: Sullivan L. M. , D'Agostino R. B.
Published: April 2003

In clinical trials comparing two treatments, ordinal scales of three, four or five points are often used to assess severity, both prior to and after treatment. Analysis of covariance is an attractive technique, however, the data clearly violate the normality assumption and in the presence of small samples, and large sample theory may not apply. The robustness and power of various versions of parametric analysis of covariance applied to small samples of ordinal scaled data are investigated through computer simulation. Subjects are randomized to one of two competing treatments and the pre‐treatment, or baseline, assessment is used as the covariate. We compare two parametric analysis of covariance tests that vary according to the treatment of the homogeneity of regressions slopes and the two independent samples t‐test on difference scores. Under the null hypothesis of no difference in adjusted treatment means, we estimated actual significance levels by comparing observed test statistics to appropriate critical values from the F‐ and t‐distributions for nominal significance levels of 0.10, 0.05, 0.02 and 0.01. We estimated power by similar comparisons under various alternative hypotheses. The model which assumes homogeneous slopes and the t‐test on difference scores were robust in the presence of three, four and five point ordinal scales. The hierarchical approach which first tests for homogeneity of regression slopes and then fits separate slopes if there is significant non‐homogeneity produced significance levels that exceeded the nominal levels especially when the sample sizes were small. The model which assumes homogeneous regression slopes produced the highest power among competing tests for all of the configurations investigated. The t‐test on difference scores also produced good power in the presence of small samples. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
No association between genotype of the promoter region of serotonin transporter gene and serotonin transporter binding in human brain measured by PET
Authors: Shioe Kunihiko , Ichimiya Tetsuya , Suhara Tetsuya , Takano Akihiro , Sudo Yasuhiko , Yasuno Fumihiko , Hirano Masami , Shinohara Manabu , Kagami Masato , Okubo Yoshiro , Nankai Masahiro , Kanba Shigenobu
Published: April 2003

The human serotonin transporter (5‐HTT) gene has a polymorphism in the 5′‐flanking promoter region that is called the serotonin transporter gene‐linked polymorphic region (5‐HTTLPR). In lymphoblast cell lines, the promoter activity of the 5‐HTT gene is dependent on 5‐HTTLPR allelic variants. The transcriptional activity of the l allele was more than twice as high as that of the s allele. The s allele is considered to be associated with mood disorders and anxiety‐related personality traits. To evaluate the functional differences of 5‐HTTLPR in the brain in vivo, we examined the allelic variations of 5‐HTTLPR and measured 5‐HTT binding in the living human brain using positron emission tomography (PET) with C11‐labeled trans‐1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 10‐β‐hexahydro‐6‐[4‐(methylthio) phenyl]pyrrolo[2,1‐a]isoquinoline (McN5652) as a ligand. Twenty‐seven healthy male subjects participated in this study. Although the human lymphoblast cells with the l/l genotype was reported to produce higher concentrations of both mRNA and protein of 5‐HTT than those with the l/s or s/s genotype in a human lymphoblast in vitro study, 5‐HTT binding in vivo was not significantly different among subjects with the three genotypes (l/l: 0.842 ± 0.184, l/s: 0.708 ± 0.118, s/s: 0.825 ± 0.209). In conclusion, this study does not support the assumption that the genotype‐dependent differences of 5‐HTTLPR directly contributes to the regulation of the 5‐HTT binding site in the living human brain. Synapse 48:184–188, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
To hunt or not to hunt? A feeding enrichment experiment with captive large felids
Authors: Bashaw Meredith J. , Bloomsmith Mollie A. , Marr M.J. , Maple Terry L.
Published: April 2003

It is often difficult to promote the successful performance of feeding behaviors in zoos, especially for carnivores. Feeding enrichment provides these opportunities and often improves behavioral indications of an animal's well‐being and the experience of the zoo visitor. The effectiveness of two different feeding enrichment techniques was evaluated on five subjects in two species of felids: African lions and Sumatran tigers. The activity budgets of each cat were compared before, during, and after enrichment, focusing on activity levels, frequency and variety of feeding behaviors, and occurrence of stereotypic behaviors. The presentation of live fish increased the variety and frequency of feeding behaviors, while presentation of horse leg bones increased the frequency of these behaviors. Fish reduced the tigers' stereotypic behavior from 60% of scans to 30% of scans on the day of presentation, and this change was maintained for 2 days following enrichment. Bone presentation also reduced stereotypic behavior and increased nonstereotypic activity in both species. Both of these techniques appear to have sustained effects on behavior lasting at least 2 days after presentation, which may indicate their ability to alter the animals' underlying activity patterns. Zoo Biol 22:189–198, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Photoperiod manipulation to increase the productivity of black‐footed ferrets (Mustela nigripes) and Siberian polecats (M. eversmanii)
Authors: Branvold H.A. , Biggins D.E. , Wimsatt J.H.
Published: April 2003

The endangered black‐footed ferret (Mustela nigripes) reproduces naturally in the spring. The Black‐Footed Ferret Recovery Program would benefit from increased productivity in the captive population by manipulating photoperiod and temperature to create three artificial cycles in 1½ years. In the present study the photoperiod was set at 8 hr light:16 hr dark for 1–2 months, then switched to 16 hr light:8 hr dark for 4–5 months. The males' light was switched 1 month before the females' light. Three cycles were performed in 2 years. During the first cycle, 0% of the males bred, 17% of the females came into estrus and were bred through artificial insemination, and 0% of the females whelped. In the second cycle, 100% of the females came into estrus and were bred naturally, and 77% whelped. In the third cycle, all males showed testicular recrudescence but none bred; all females showed signs of estrus, 40% were bred using artificial insemination, and 0% whelped. Siberian polecats (Mustela eversmanii), the black‐footed ferrets' closest living relative, also were put on an artificial photoperiod, coinciding with the black‐footed ferrets' third cycle. All female polecats came into estrus and were bred naturally, and 33% whelped. All males showed testicular recrudescence, and 22% produced sperm and bred. The low rate of success in breeding and whelping suggests that multiple cues may be needed to induce estrus in ferrets and polecats. Zoo Biol 22:1–14, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Using stage‐based system dynamics modeling for demographic management of captive populations
Authors: Faust Lisa J. , Thompson Steven D. , Earnhardt Joanne M. , Brown Ellen , Ryan Sadie , Sherman Michelle , Yurenka Meghan
Published: April 2003

Management of captive populations relies on a complex synthesis of genetic and demographic analyses to guide populations toward sustainability. Demographic analyses of captive populations currently utilize age‐based matrix projections to predict a population's trajectory. An alternate approach is to use a stage‐based, system dynamics model for captive systems. Such models can more easily incorporate complex captive systems in which population dynamics are dependent on a combination of management and a species' biology. By linking these two areas, population managers can gain a more accurate understanding of how management decisions impact captive populations and which aspects of a species' demography should be of special concern in the future. We present a general stage‐based system dynamics model that has been developed for use with captive populations. The utility of the model is then illustrated by applying it to three captive bear populations: spectacled bears (Tremarctos ornatus), sloth bears (Melursus ursinus), and sun bears (Helarctos malayanus). Zoo Biol 22:45–64, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.