bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Interventional catheterization management of perioperative peripheral pulmonary stenosis: Balloon angioplasty or endovascular stenting
Authors: Rosales Ana Maria , Lock James E. , Perry Stanton B. , Geggel Robert L.
Published: October 2002

There is limited reported experience of catheterization therapy for peripheral pulmonary stenosis (PPS) at a surgical site in the early postoperative period. We reviewed the clinical course of patients undergoing interventional catheterization for PPS at a surgical site < 7 weeks after surgery. Successful dilation (SD) was defined as > 50% increase in predilation diameter. From 1984 to 2000, 17 patients had 19 proximal pulmonary arteries dilated 1 to 46 (median 8) days postoperatively. Median age and weight were 3.1 year and 12.7 kg. Three arteries were initially occluded. Seventeen arteries had initial BD with postintervention imaging available in 15; 8 arteries had SD. The arterial diameter increased from 3.9 ± 2.6 to 5.5 ± 2.8 mm (P < 0.001). Nine of these arteries had stents placed with diameter increasing to 8.7 ± 3.7 mm (P < 0.001 compared with post‐BD diameter). Stents increased the diameter in all arteries and made four of four failed BD successful. In the two most recent procedures, stents were placed without prior BD with diameter increasing from 1.3 to 9 mm and 8.2 to 14 mm. A stent was placed in 1 of 7 arteries prior to 1993 and in 10 of 12 arteries thereafter (P < 0.004). Three patients prior to 1995 had catheterization‐related deaths secondary to vessel rupture after BD. BD produces SD in approximately one‐half of the procedures but is associated with mortality. Stent placement increases vessel diameter substantially more than BD alone. Stents reduce the acute complication rate and avoid early reoperation in this patient group. Cathet Cardiovasc Intervent 2002;56:272–277. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Laser‐facilitated thrombectomy: A new therapeutic option for treatment of thrombus‐laden coronary lesions
Authors: Dahm Johannes B. , Topaz On , Woenckhaus Christian , Staudt Alexander , Möx Bernhard , Hummel Astrid , Felix Stephan B.
Published: October 2002

To overcome the adverse complications of balloon angioplasty in thrombus burden lesions (i.e., distal embolization, platelet activation, no‐reflow phenomenon with persistent myocardial hypoxemia), mechanical removal of the thrombus or distal embolization protection devices is required. Pulsed ultraviolet excimer laser light at 308 nm can vaporize thrombus and suppress platelet aggregation. Clinical experience has already shown its efficacy in acute ischemic‐thrombotic acute coronary syndromes. Unlike other thrombectomy devices, a 308 nm excimer laser can ablate thrombi as well as the underlying plaque, speed up thrombus clearing, and enhance thrombolytic and GP IIb/IIIa activity. It can also be employed in patients with contraindications for systemic thrombolytic agents or GP IIb/IIIa antagonists. Our report covers clinical data and technical aspects concerning three patients with acute myocardial infarction who presented with a large thrombus burden. After successful laser‐transmitted vaporization of the thrombus mass in these patients, the remaining thrombus burden was evacuated, and normal antegrade coronary flow was successfully restored. This approach can be useful for selective patients with acute coronary syndromes. Cathet Cardiovasc Intervent 2002;56:365–372. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Relation of troponin T release kinetics to long‐term clinical outcome in patients with acute ST segment elevation myocardial infarction treated with a percutaneous intervention
Authors: Karavidas Apostolos J. , Vrachatis Antony D. , Alpert Martin A. , Nikas Dimitris J. , Achtypis Dionissios I. , Masrakas Evagellas P. , Foukarakis Masolis G. , Fotiades Toannis N. , Zacharoulis Apostolos A.
Published: October 2002

The purpose of this study was to determine the relation of troponin T release kinetics to long‐term clinical outcome in patients with an acute ST segment elevation myocardial infarction treated with a primary percutaneous intervention. One hundred and four patients with typical ischemic chest pain and > 1.5 mm ST segment elevation in > 2 contiguous leads underwent primary stenting (n = 60) or primary percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (n = 44). Serum troponin T concentrations were obtained prior to and serially postintervention for 72 hr. Mean time to peak serum troponin T concentration was significantly longer in patients with cardiac death (P = 0.02), reinfarction (P = 0.007), target lesion reintervention (P = 0.03), and the composite of these events (13.2 ± 5.3 vs. 9.3 ± 4.0 hr; P < 0.0005). Multivariate analysis identified age, Killip class > 2, and time to peak serum troponin T concentration as independent predictors of long‐term cardiac event‐free survival. Thus, time to peak serum troponin T concentration independently predicts long‐term cardiac event‐free survival in patients with acute ST segment elevation myocardial infarction treated with a primary percutaneous intervention. Cathet Cardiovasc Intervent 2002;56:312–319. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Nonobstructive ASD creation to qualify patients for the Fontan operation: Effects on pulmonary hypertension due to restrictive left atrioventricular valve and interatrial communication
Authors: Ishiwata Takahiro , Kondo Chisato , Nakanishi Toshio , Nakazawa Makoto , Imai Yasuharu , Momma Kazuo
Published: October 2002

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) due to elevated left atrial pressure (LAp) caused by restrictive left atrioventricular valve and interatrial communication sometimes precludes patients with univentricular heart from undergoing the Fontan operation. We have created atrial septal defect (ASD) for such patients to reduce LAp and then pulmonary arterial pressure (PAp) and pulmonary vascular resistance (Rp) in an attempt to qualify the patients for the Fontan repair. This study was performed to clarify the efficacy and limitation of this approach. Twelve patients with PH (mean PAp > 20 mm Hg and/or Rp > 3.0 Wood's unit/m2) due to obstruction at the LA exit underwent ASD creation at the age of 4.0 ± 4.0 (mean ± SD) years. Follow‐up catheterization 14.9 ± 15.6 months after the ASD creation demonstrated marked reductions in mean LAp (from 21 ± 5 to 8 ± 2 mm Hg), mean PAp (from 39 ± 13 to 17 ± 4 mm Hg), and Rp (from 6.2 ± 4.5 to 2.7 ± 1.4 Wood's unit/m2) compared with those before the procedure (all P < 0.0001). Seven of the 12 patients (58%) qualified for the Fontan operation (mean PAp < 20 mm Hg, Rp < 3.0 Wood's unit/m2, and Nakata's PA index ≥ 250) after the ASD creation. Final surgical outcomes of the seven patients included successful Fontan operation in five and biventricular repair in two. Patients with severe PH [mean PAp ≥ 45 mm Hg (n = 6) or Rp ≥ 4.5 Wood's unit/m2 (n = 5)] before the ASD creation qualified less frequently for the Fontan repair than those with mild PH [mean PAp < 45 mm Hg (n = 6; 17% vs. 100%; P = 0.008) or Rp < 4.5 Wood's unit/m2 (n = 7; 20 vs. 86%; P = 0.045)]. Patients with PA banded after 6 months of age (n = 3) qualified less frequently for the Fontan operation than those banded before 6 months of age (n = 6; 0 vs. 83%; P = 0.048). These data suggest that ASD creation is an effective approach to qualify patients for the Fontan operation in the presence of restrictive left atrioventricular valve and interatrial obstruction, except those with longstanding severe PH following delayed PA banding. Cathet Cardiovasc Intervent 2002;56:528–532. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Mimotopes and proteome analyses using human genomic and cDNA epitope phage display
Authors: Mullaney BP , Marks JD , Pallavicini MG
Published: October 2002

In the post‐genomic era, validation of candidate gene targets frequently
requires protein‐based strategies. Phage display is a powerful tool to define
protein‐protein interactions by generating peptide binders against target
antigens. Epitope phage display libraries have the potential to enrich coding
exon sequences from human genomic loci. We evaluated genomic and cDNA phage
display strategies to identify genes in the 5q31 Interleukin gene cluster
and to enrich cell surface receptor tyrosine kinase genes from a breast cancer cDNA
library. A genomic display library containing 2x106 clones with
exon‐sized inserts was selected with antibodies specific for human Interleukin‐4
(IL‐4) and Interleukin‐13. The library was enriched significantly after two
selection rounds and DNA sequencing revealed unique clones. One clone matched
a cognate IL‐4 epitope; however, the majority of clone insert sequences corresponded
to E. coli genomic DNA. These bacterial sequences act as ‘mimotopes’
(mimetic sequences of the true epitope), correspond to open reading frames,
generate displayed peptides, and compete for binding during phage selection.
The specificity of these mimotopes for IL‐4 was confirmed by competition ELISA.
Other E. coli mimotopes were generated using additional antibodies.
Mimotopes for a receptor tyrosine kinase gene were also selected using a breast
cancer SKBR‐3 cDNA phage display library, screened against an anti‐erbB2 monoclonal
antibody. Identification of mimotopes in genomic and cDNA phage libraries
is essential for phage display‐based protein validation assays and two‐hybrid
phage approaches that examine protein‐protein interactions. The predominance
of E. coli mimotopes suggests that the E. coli genome may be
useful to generate peptide diversity biased towards protein coding sequences.

Abbreviations used: IL, interleukin; ELISA, enzyme linked immunoabsorbant
assay; PBS, phospho‐buffered saline; cfu, colony forming units. Copyright
© 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Meeting Review: Bioinformatics And Medicine – From molecules to humans, virtual and real
Authors: Russell Roslin
Published: October 2002

The Industrialization Workshop Series aims to promote and discuss integration,
automation, simulation, quality, availability and standards in the high‐throughput
life sciences. The main issues addressed being the transformation of bioinformatics
and bioinformatics‐based drug design into a robust discipline in industry,
the government, research institutes and academia. The latest workshop emphasized
the influence of the post‐genomic era on medicine and healthcare with reference
to advanced biological systems modeling and simulation, protein structure
research, protein‐protein interactions, metabolism and physiology. Speakers
included Michael Ashburner, Kenneth Buetow, Francois Cambien, Cyrus Chothia,
Jean Garnier, Francois Iris, Matthias Mann, Maya Natarajan, Peter Murray‐Rust,
Richard Mushlin, Barry Robson, David Rubin, Kosta Steliou, John Todd, Janet
Thornton, Pim van der Eijk, Michael Vieth and Richard Ward. Copyright ©
2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Giving hope in brain injury. An exploration of families' experiences with the brainwave organisation and therapy
Authors: Heidari Farnaz , Dumbrell Alison , Galvin Kathleen , Holloway Immy
Published: October 2002

This exploratory study examined families' experiences during the care of brain‐injured children being treated with therapy from the Brainwave organisation. Families highlighted areas of dissatisfaction with existing services. The friendly and positive attitudes they received from Brainwave staff were an indication of hope for the future. Involvement in their children's care and being valued during decision making were advantages attributed to the Brainwave organisation. The study has produced recommendations for the Brainwave Centre to improve their service delivery as well as important areas within conventional care that could be improved and developed to help families with brain injury. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Using pulsed gradient spin echo NMR for chemical mixture analysis: How to obtain optimum results
Authors: Antalek Brian
Published: October 2002

Pulsed gradient spin echo NMR is a powerful technique for measuring diffusion coefficients. When coupled with appropriate data processing schemes, the technique becomes an exceptionally valuable tool for mixture analysis, the separation of which is based on the molecular size. Extremely fine differentiation may be possible in the diffusion dimension but only with high‐quality data. For fully resolved resonances, components with diffusion coefficients that differ by less than 2% may be distinguished in mixtures. For highly overlapped resonances, the resolved spectra of pure components with diffusion coefficients that differ by less than 30% may be obtained. In order to achieve the best possible data quality one must be aware of the primary sources of artifacts and incorporate the necessary means to alleviate them. The origin of these artifacts are described, along with the methods necessary to observe them. Practical solutions are presented. Examples are shown that demonstrate the effects of the artifacts on the acquired data set. Many mixture analysis problems may be addressed with conventional high resolution pulsed field gradient probe technology delivering less than 0.5 T m−1(50 G cm−1). © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Concepts Magn Reson 14: 225–258, 2002.
Vinorelbine in previously treated advanced childhood sarcomas
Authors: Casanova Michela , Ferrari Andrea , Spreafico Filippo , Terenziani Monica , Massimino Maura , Luksch Roberto , Cefalo Graziella , Polastri Daniela , Marcon Ilaria , Bellani Franca Fossati
Published: October 2002

BACKGROUND

Vinca alkaloids have proved active against a number of pediatric malignancies. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility and effectiveness of using vinorelbine in previously treated pediatric patients with advanced sarcomas.

METHODS

From September 1998 to August 2001, 33 previously treated patients with progressive sarcoma were treated: 13 had rhabdomyosarcomas, 5 had other soft tissue sarcomas, 9 had Ewing sarcomas, and 6 had osteosarcomas. Vinorelbine was given intravenously on Days 1 and 8 of a 21‐day treatment cycle. Four patients with uncontrolled pain or central nervous system invasion received concurrent radiotherapy and were only evaluated for toxicity.

RESULTS

One hundred seventy‐eight treatment cycles were administered (median of four per patient, range 1–20). Grade 3 to 4 neutropenia occurred in 63% of patients, Grade 3 anemia in 9%, and Grade 3 thrombocytopenia in 3%. Nonhematological toxicity was mild or moderate, i.e., always lower than Grade 3, with the exception of one child who experienced paralytic ileus. Twenty‐eight patients were assessable for response. Eight patients had a partial response, one patient had a minor response, and nine patients had stable disease. Objective responses were observed in 6 of 12 patients with rhadbomyosarcomas (five of six of the alveolar subtype), in one of five patients with osteosarcomas, and in one of seven patients with Ewing sarcomas. The median duration of response was 10 months (range, 3+ to 20).

CONCLUSIONS

Vinorelbine has a favorable toxicity profile with evidence of biological activity in already heavily treated pediatric patients with sarcomas. In particular, the objective response rate obtained for patients with alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma seems very promising. Due to the few cases considered here, further Phase II studies are needed to establish a potential role of vinorelbine in the treatment of these tumors. Cancer 2002;94:3263–8. © 2002 American Cancer Society.

DOI 10.1002/cncr.10600
Higher oxidation and lower antioxidant levels in peripheral blood plasma and bone marrow plasma from advanced cancer patients
Authors: de Cavanagh Elena M. V. , Honegger Alba E. , Hofer Erica , Bordenave Raul H. , Bullorsky Eduardo O. , Chasseing Norma A. , Fraga Cesar
Published: October 2002

BACKGROUND

Bone marrow (BM) is an important tissue in the generation of immunocompetent and peripheral blood cells. The precursors of hematopoietic cells in BM undergo continuous proliferation and differentiation and are highly vulnerable to acute and chronic oxidative stress. Little is known about the oxidant and antioxidant status in the BM of untreated patients with nonhematologic tumors. In this study, oxidative stress was evaluated in peripheral blood plasma (PBP) and BM plasma (BMP) from lung carcinoma (LC) and breast carcinoma (BC) patients.

METHODS

The sample included 13 consecutive untreated LC patients, 15 BC patients, and 11 healthy controls. Luminol‐dependent chemiluminescence was used to evaluate oxygen radical generation by peripheral blood neutrophils. Lipid oxidation, assessed by 2‐thiobarbituric acid‐reactive substances (TBARS), and α‐tocopherol, β‐carotene, and total ubiquinol‐10 levels were determined in PBP and BMP.

RESULTS

In LC and BC patients, neutrophil chemiluminescence was higher (128% and 264%, respectively) than in controls (P < 0.05). In cancer patients, TBARS levels were higher in both PBP (51% and 243% for LC and BC patients, respectively) and BMP (66% and 305% for LC and BC patients, respectively) than in plasma from controls (P < 0.01). α‐Tocopherol and total ubiquinol‐10 levels were significantly lower in BMP from BC patients compared with controls. In BC patients, α‐tocopherol content in PBP was significantly lower than in controls.

CONCLUSIONS

Untreated cancer patients presented an imbalance between oxidant generation and lipid‐soluble antioxidant levels in favor of the former. Cancer 2002;94:3247–51. © 2002 American Cancer Society.

DOI 10.1002/cncr.10611
Quantitative measurement of post‐irradiation neck fibrosis based on the young modulus
Authors: Leung Sing‐Fai , Zheng Yongping , Choi Charles Y. K. , Mak Suzanne S. S. , Chiu Samuel K. W. , Zee Benny , Mak Arthur F. T.
Published: October 2002

BACKGROUND

Postirradiation fibrosis is one of the most common late effects of radiation therapy for patients with head and neck carcinoma. An objective and quantitative method for its measurement is much desired, but the criteria currently used to score fibrosis are mostly semiquantitative and partially subjective.

METHODS

The Young Modulus (YM) is a physical parameter that characterizes the deformability of material to stress. The authors measured the YM in soft tissues of the neck, at defined reference points, using an ultrasound probe and computer algorithm that quantified the indentation (deformation) on tissue due to a measured, applied force. One hundred five patients who had received previous radiation therapy to the entire neck were assessed, and the results were compared with the hand palpation scores and with a functional parameter represented by the range of neck rotation, and all results were correlated with symptoms.

RESULTS

The YM was obtained successfully in all patients examined. It had a significant positive correlation with the palpation score and a significant negative correlation with the range of neck rotation. The YM was significantly higher on the side of the neck that received a boost dose of radiation, although the corresponding palpation scores were similar. The results of all three measurement methods were correlated with symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS

Postirradiation neck fibrosis can be measured in absolute units based on the YM. The results showed a significant correlation with hand palpation scores, with restriction of neck rotation, and with symptoms. Compared with the palpation method, the YM is more quantitative, objective, focused on small subregions, and better discriminates regions subject to differential radiation dose levels. Its inclusion in the Analytic category of the Late Effects of Normal Tissues‐SOMA system should be considered to facilitate comparative studies. Cancer 2002;95:656–62. © 2002 American Cancer Society.

DOI 10.1002/cncr.10700
Modeling the impact of the decline in distant stage disease on prostate carcinoma mortality rates
Authors: Feuer Eric J. , Mariotto Angela , Merrill Ray
Published: October 2002

BACKGROUND

The incidence of distant stage prostate carcinoma was relatively flat until 1991 and then started declining rapidly. This decline probably was caused by the shift to earlier stage disease associated with the rapid dissemination of prostate specific antigen (PSA) screening. Prostate carcinoma mortality rates started falling at approximately the same time. In this article, the authors model the potential impact of this stage shift on prostate carcinoma mortality rates given various assumptions concerning the survival of patients with screen‐detected local‐regional disease.

METHODS

The authors used the CAN*TROL 2 computer model to shift each deficit in the number of patients with distant stage disease to local‐regional stage disease and modeled the implications on mortality using a set of base, optimistic, and pessimistic survival assumptions. A base survival assumes that a patient with screen‐detected local‐regional disease of a certain histologic grade has the same prognosis as a patient with clinically detected local‐regional disease of same grade (i.e., an assumption of no length bias for patients with screen‐detected disease), whereas the optimistic and pessimistic scenarios assume that survival is better or worse, respectively, than the base survival (i.e., complete cure for patients with favorable grade for the optimistic scenario and no improvements in survival for patients with unfavorable grade for the pessimistic scenario).

RESULTS

Model results were compared with observed mortality trends. Rising age‐adjusted mortality rates peaked in 1991 for white males and in 1993 for black males and then fell 21% and 13% for white males and black males, respectively, from 1990 through 1999. Under the modeled stage‐shift intervention, mortality rates would fall 18%, 8%, and 19% for both white males and black males under the base, pessimistic, and optimistic assumptions, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

It is impossible to know what the mortality trends would have been in the absence of the introduction of PSA screening. However, under the base assumption, it appears that the decline in distant stage disease can have a fairly sizable and rapid impact on population mortality. The optimistic scenario is not much improved over the base scenario, which is indicative of the facts that the survival of patients diagnosed with clinical local‐regional prostate carcinoma is quite good and that further survival improvements can have only a marginal impact. Under the pessimistic scenario, it appears that something else must be responsible for much of the decline in mortality. Screening trial results from the United States and Europe may verify and isolate the size of any mortality benefit associated with PSA screening. Trial results eventually can be put back into these population models to help quantify the impact of screening, treatment, and other factors on population trends. Cancer 2002;95:870–80. Published 2002 by the American Cancer Society.

DOI 10.1002/cncr.10726
Gastric carcinoma
Authors: Stemmermann Grant N. , Nomura Abraham M.Y. , Kolonel Laurence N. , Goodman Marc T. , Wilkens Lynne R.
Published: October 2002

OBJECTIVES

To assess the pathology of gastric carcinoma and to determine whether carcinoma of the cardia occurs more often among whites than among other ethnic groups in Hawaii. This study focuses on demographic differences in subsite locations and histologic types of gastric carcinoma.

METHODS

We reviewed 532 sequential gastric carcinomas accessioned between 1993 and 1999 in the Hawaii Tumor Registry. Pathology reports and slides were reviewed by the study pathologist.

RESULTS

Carcinoma of the cardia occurred in 51 (15.8%) of 323 males compared with 18 (8.6%) of 209 females (P = 0.02, after age adjustment). The age‐adjusted percent of cardia cases was 41.8% for Hawaiian white males compared with 13.4% for men of all other ethnic groups (P = 0.0002). The age‐adjusted percent of cardia cases was 22.4% for Hawaiian white females compared with 7.3% for females of other groups. (P = 0.08). At all age levels, females had more frequent diffuse carcinomas and less frequent intestinal type gastric carcinomas than men. The age‐adjusted percent with diffuse carcinoma was 35.3% for females and 13.7% for males (P < 0.0001). Also, the sex‐adjusted percent with diffuse carcinoma was 26.0% for patients younger than 75 years of age compared with 17.0% for patients 75 years or older (P = 0.01). Conversely, the sex‐adjusted percent with intestinal carcinoma was 67.9% for patients younger than 75 years of age compared with 77.1% for patients 75 years or older (P = 0.02). The proportion of cases showing precursor lesions (intestinal metaplasia or superficial gastritis) increased progressively with the distance of the carcinoma from the cardia.

CONCLUSIONS

Carcinoma of the cardia is predominantly a tumor of white males and is not associated with the multifocal gastritis characteristically found with carcinoma distal to the cardia. Diffuse gastric carcinoma shows no ethnic predilection, but expression of this phenotype is clearly related to the age and gender of the patient. Cancer 2002;95:744–50. © 2002 American Cancer Society.

DOI 10.1002/cncr.10734
Vascular endothelial growth factor and social support in patients with ovarian carcinoma
Authors: Lutgendorf Susan K. , Johnsen Erica L. , Cooper Brian , Anderson Barrie , Sorosky Joel I. , Buller Richard E. , Sood Anil K.
Published: October 2002

BACKGROUND

The modulation of immunologic activities relevant to cancer by behavioral factors, such as stress, depression, and social support, is well documented. However, associations of behavioral factors with cytokines involved in tumor angiogenesis have not been studied. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a key cytokine that is capable of stimulating tumor angiogenesis, and it has been associated with poorer survival in patients with ovarian carcinoma. VEGF is modulated by a variety of behaviorally sensitive factors, including sympathetic activation. This study examined relationships of social support and depressive symptoms with VEGF levels in preoperative patients with ovarian carcinoma.

METHODS

Twenty‐four women with ovarian carcinoma and 5 women with benign pelvic masses were recruited at the presurgical clinic visit, received psychosocial surveys, including the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy (Quality of Life) survey and the Profile of Mood States, and a blood draw. Serum VEGF levels were assessed by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Analyses controlled for disease stage.

RESULTS

Women with ovarian carcinoma who reported higher levels of social well being had lower levels of VEGF (P= 0.005). Greater support from friends and neighbors (P= 0.005) and less distance from friends (P= 0.04) were facets of social well being that were associated with lower VEGF levels. Individuals who reported greater helplessness (P= 0.03) or worthlessness (P= 0.08) had higher VEGF levels, but depression as a whole (P> 0.50) was not related to VEGF levels.

CONCLUSIONS

Higher levels of social well being were correlated with lower VEGF levels in presurgical patients with ovarian carcinoma. These findings suggest a possible mechanism by which poor social support may be associated with disease progression. Further study of these relations may demonstrate novel pathways relating biobehavioral factors to tumor growth and disease progression. Cancer 2002;95:808–15. © 2002 American Cancer Society.

DOI 10.1002/cncr.10739
Trigeminal collaterals in the nasal epithelium and olfactory bulb: A potential route for direct modulation of olfactory information by trigeminal stimuli
Authors: Schaefer Michele L. , Böttger Bärbel , Silver Wayne L. , Finger Thomas E.
Published: October 2002

The nasal epithelium is richly invested with peptidergic (substance P and calcitonin gene‐related peptide [CGRP]) trigeminal polymodal nociceptors, which respond to numerous odorants as well as irritants. Peptidergic trigeminal sensory fibers also enter the glomerular layer of the olfactory bulb. To test whether the trigeminal fibers in the olfactory bulb are collaterals of the epithelial trigeminal fibers, we utilized dual retrograde labeling techniques in rats to identify the trigeminal ganglion cells innervating each of these territories. Nuclear Yellow was injected into the dorsal nasal epithelium, and True Blue was injected into the olfactory bulb of the same side. Following a survival period of 3–7 days, the trigeminal ganglion contained double‐labeled, small (11.8 × 8.0 μm), ellipsoid ganglion cells within the ethmoid nerve region of the ganglion. Tracer injections into the spinal trigeminal complex established that these branched trigeminal ganglion cells also extended an axon into the brainstem. These results indicate that some trigeminal ganglion cells with sensory endings in the nasal epithelium also have branches reaching directly into both the olfactory bulb and the spinal trigeminal complex. These trigeminal ganglion cells are unique among primary sensory neurons in having two branches entering the central nervous system at widely distant points. Furthermore, the collateral innervation of the epithelium and bulb may provide an avenue whereby nasal irritants could affect processing of coincident olfactory stimuli. J. Comp. Neurol. 444:221–226, 2002. Erratum: J. Comp. Neurol. 2002;448(4):423.© 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Localisation of cannabinoid CB1 receptor immunoreactivity in the guinea pig and rat myenteric plexus
Authors: Coutts Angela A. , Irving Andrew J. , Mackie Ken , Pertwee Roger G. , Anavi‐Goffer Sharon
Published: October 2002

Activation of cannabinoid CB1 receptors inhibits gastrointestinal motility, propulsion, and transit, whereas selective antagonism of these receptors has the opposite effects, suggesting the presence of endocannabinoid tone. Supporting evidence for presynaptic CB1 receptors on myenteric neurons has been found in vitro. In this study, selective CB1 receptor antibodies and neuronal markers were used to identify and characterise myenteric neurons expressing cannabinoid receptors. Whole mounts of rat and guinea pig myenteric preparations were dually labelled with antibodies against the CB1 receptor and choline acetyltransferase, neurofilament proteins, calbindin, calretinin, synapsin I, microtubule‐associated protein‐2, calcitonin gene‐related peptide, or substance P. The pattern of CB1 receptor labelling and the neurochemical classification of CB1 receptor‐positive cells were markedly influenced by the species and fixation procedure. Virtually all choline acetyltransferase‐immunoreactive myenteric neurons expressed CB1 receptors in ganglia from both species. Subpopulations of neurons identified with calbindin, calretinin, and microtubule‐associated protein‐2 did not express CB1 receptors. A few calcitonin gene‐related peptide‐ and substance P‐positive somata coexpressed CB1 receptor immunoreactivity but showed little colocalisation on individual fibres. There was a close association between CB1 receptor immunoreactivity and fibres labelled for synaptic protein, suggesting a role in the modulation of transmitter release. Functional responses to cannabinoids in the presence of hexamethonium suggest further that CB1 receptors occur on excitatory motoneurons. In conclusion, CB1 receptors are expressed on a variety of cholinergic sensory, interneuronal, and motor neurons in myenteric ganglia. J. Comp. Neurol. 448:410–422, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
GABABR1 receptor protein expression in human mesial temporal cortex: Changes in temporal lobe epilepsy
Authors: Muñoz Alberto , Arellano Jon Ignacio , Defelipe Javier
Published: October 2002

Immunocytochemistry was used to examine γ‐aminobutyric acid beta (GABA)BR1a‐b protein expression in the human hippocampal formation (including dentate gyrus, hippocampus proper, subicular complex, and entorhinal cortex) and perirhinal cortex. Overall, GABABR1a‐b immunostaining was intense and widespread but showed differential areal and laminar distributions of labeled cells. GABABR1a‐b–immunoreactive (‐ir) neurons were found in the three main layers of the dentate gyrus, the most intense labeling being present in the polymorphic layer, whereas the granule cells were moderately immunoreactive. Except for slight variations, similar distribution patterns of GABABR1a‐b immunostaining were found along the different subfields of the Ammon's horn (CA1‐CA4). The highest density of GABABR1a‐b‐ir neurons was localized in the stratum pyramidale, where virtually every pyramidal cell was intensely immunoreactive, including the proximal part of the apical dendrites. Within the subicular complex, a more intense GABABR1a‐b immunostaining was found in the subiculum than in the presubiculum or parasubiculum, especially in the pyramidal and polymorphic cell layers. In the entorhinal cortex, distribution of GABABR1a‐b immunoreactivity was localized mainly in both pyramidal and nonpyramidal cells of layers II, III, and VI and in the superficial part of layer V, with layers I, IV, and deep layer V being less intensely stained. In the perirhinal cortex, the most intense GABABR1a‐b immunoreactivity was located in the deep part of layer III and in layer V and was mainly confined to medium‐sized and large pyramidal cells. Thus, the differential expression, but widespread distribution, of GABABR1a‐b protein found in the present study suggests the involvement of GABAB receptors in many circuits of the human hippocampal formation and adjacent cortical structures. Interestingly, the hippocampal formation of epileptic patients (n = 8) with hippocampal sclerosis showed similar intensity of GABABR1a‐b immunostaining in the surviving neurons located within or adjacent to those regions presenting neuronal loss than in the controls. However, surviving neurons in the granule cell layer of the dentate gyrus displayed a significant reduction in immunostaining in 7 of 8 patients. Therefore, alterations in inhibitory synaptic transmission through GABAB receptors appears to affect differentially certain hippocampal circuits in a population of epileptic patients. This reduction in GABABR1a‐b expression could contribute to the pathophysiology of temporal lobe epilepsy. J. Comp. Neurol. 449:166–179, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Tiling of the body wall by multidendritic sensory neurons in Manduca sexta
Authors: Grueber Wesley B. , Graubard Katherine , Truman James W.
Published: October 2002

A plexus of multidendritic sensory neurons, the dendritic arborization (da) neurons, innervates the epidermis of soft‐bodied insects. Previous studies have indicated that the plexus may comprise distinct subtypes of da neurons, which utilize diverse cyclic 3′,5′‐guanosine monophosphate signaling pathways and could serve several functions. Here, we identify three distinct classes of da neurons in Manduca, which we term the alpha, beta, and gamma classes. These three classes differ in their sensory responses, branch complexity, peripheral dendritic fields, and axonal projections. The two identified alpha neurons branch over defined regions of the body wall, which in some cases correspond to specific natural folds of the cuticle. These cells project to an intermediate region of the neuropil and appear to function as proprioceptors. Three beta neurons are characterized by long, sinuous dendritic branches and axons that terminate in the ventral neuropil. The function of this group of neurons is unknown. Four neurons belonging to the gamma class have the most complex peripheral dendrites. A representative gamma neuron responds to forceful touch of the cuticle. Although the dendrites of da neurons of different classes may overlap extensively, cells belonging to the same class show minimal dendritic overlap. As a result, the body wall is independently tiled by the beta and gamma da neurons and partially innervated by the alpha neurons. These properties of the da system likely allow insects to discriminate the quality and location of several types of stimuli acting on the cuticle. J. Comp. Neurol. 440:271–283, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Striatal and central extended amygdala parts of the interstitial nucleus of the posterior limb of the anterior commissure: Evidence from tract‐tracing techniques in the rat
Authors: Shammah‐Lagnado Sara J. , Alheid George F. , Heimer Lennart
Published: October 2002

The interstitial nucleus of the posterior limb of the anterior commissure (IPAC) lies at the junction of the striatopallidal system and the lateral bed nucleus of the stria terminalis‐central amygdaloid nucleus continuum (i.e., the central extended amygdala; EAc). Its efferent connections were investigated in the rat with anterograde (Phaseolus vulgarisleucoagglutinin) and retrograde (Fluoro‐Gold and cholera toxin B subunit) tracers and compared with those of the central amygdaloid nucleus. Our anterograde tracing experiments reveal that the projections of the medial IPAC largely reciprocate its afferent connections (Shammah‐Lagnado et al. [1999] Neuroscience 94:1097–1123) and are very similar to those of the medial part of the central amygdaloid nucleus. The lateral IPAC, on the other hand, innervates the pallidal complex, substantia nigra and retrorubral field. Local connections are found within medial IPAC and within lateral IPAC, but the two divisions are not interconnected. Our retrograde tracing experiments confirm that IPAC projections to EAc components, parabrachial area, and nucleus of the solitary tract originate chiefly from the medial division, whereas both medial and lateral divisions innervate the retrorubral field. Moreover, in sections processed for choline acetyltransferase, the strong projections from caudal IPACm to the posterior basolateral amygdaloid nucleus and the amygdalopiriform transition area were found to arise chiefly from cholinergic cells. Overall, our results suggest that the medial IPAC is intimately related to the EAc, whereas the lateral IPAC represents a striatal territory. J. Comp. Neurol. 439:104–126, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Analysis of the checkerboard mode and inf–sup condition
Authors: Cheng Xiao‐liang , Ye Xingde
Published: October 2002

In this paper, we provide an example to illustrate the checkerboard mode
Ker(B)={qh∈Qh: (qh,div
vh)=0, ∀vh∈Vh} for velocity–pressure finite element space Vh−Qh for the Stokes problem, which varies with three different types of triangular meshes of the domain.We prove that the inf–sup stable condition is valid, independent of mesh size h for the Union Jack mesh but depends on mesh size h with O(h) for the uniform triangular mesh and fish‐bone mesh. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A comparison of parallel implementation of explicit DG and central difference method
Authors: Ekevid Torbjörn , Wiberg Nils‐Erik
Published: October 2002

Massive parallel computers have become more attractive for advanced numerical simulations since standard libraries for communication and synchronization; for example MPI have facilitated program development. The present paper discusses two parallel explicit time integration methods for wave propagation problems; the central difference method and the explicit version of the P1–P1 discontinuous galerkin (DG) method. Based on the MIMD model, where data decomposition is accomplished by element‐based grid partitioning, parallel versions of both algorithms have been implemented, using the same paradigm for inter‐process communication. Numerical examples are illustrated and the achieved performance of the algorithms is discussed. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Illuminant estimation for object recognition
Authors: Finlayson Graham D. , Hordley Steven , Hubel Paul M.
Published: October 2002

Comparing colour histograms of images has been shown to be a powerful technique for discriminating among large sets of images. However, these histograms depend not only on the properties of imaged objects but also on the illumination under which the objects are captured. If this illumination dependence is not accounted for prior to constructing the colour histograms, colour‐based image indexing will fail when illumination changes. This failure can be addressed by correcting the RGBs in an image to corresponding RGBs representing the same scene but under a standard reference illuminant prior to constructing the histograms. To perform this correction of RGBs, it is necessary to have a measurement or, more commonly, an estimate of the illumination in the original scene. Many authors have proposed illuminant estimation (or colour constancy) algorithms to obtain such an estimate. Unfortunately, the results of colour histogram matching experiments under varying illumination conditions have shown that existing estimation algorithms do not provide a sufficiently good estimate of the scene illuminant to enable this approach to work. In this article we report on the results of our repetition of those experiments, but this time using a new illuminant estimation algorithm—the so‐calledcolor by correlationapproach, which has been shown to afford significantly better performance than previous algorithms. The results of this new experiment show that when this new algorithm is used to preprocess images, a significant improvement in colour histogram matching performance is achieved. Indeed, performance is close to the theoretically optimal level of performance, that is, close to that which can be obtained using actual measurements of the scene illumination. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Col Res Appl, 27, 260–270, 2002; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/col.10064
Measurement of memory of color
Authors: Seliger H. H.
Published: October 2002

Colors produced by monochromatic wavelengths of light viewed in isolation have been used as the only visual variables in short‐term delayed matching (DM) and long‐term recall (LTR) protocols to quantify three types of color memory in individuals with normal color vision. Measurements were normally distributed, so that color memories of individuals could be compared in terms of means and standard deviations. The variance of LTR of colors of familiar objects is shown to be separable into two portions, one due to “preferred colors” and the other due to individuals' precisions of matching. The wavelength dependence of DM exhibited minima of standard deviations at the same wavelengths as those reported for color discrimination measured by bipartite wavelength matching, and these wavelengths were shown to occur at the wavelengths of the intersections of cone spectral sensitivities. In an intermediate “green” region of relatively constant color discrimination, it was possible to combine DM measurements for different wavelengths for statistical analysis. The standard deviations of DM for individuals of a healthy population were normally distributed, providing a 95% upper confidence limit for identifying individuals with possible short‐term memory impairment. Preliminary measurements of standard deviations of DM for delay times of ≤ 1 s were consistent with a proposed rapidly decaying color imagery memory. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Col Res Appl, 27, 233–242, 2002; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/col.10067
Grid services for earthquake science
Authors: Fox Geoffrey , Ko Sung‐Hoon , Pierce Marlon , Balsoy Ozgur , Kim Jake , Lee Sangmi , Kim Kangseok , Oh Sangyoon , Rao Xi , Varank Mustafa , Bulut Hasan , Gunduz Gurhan , Qiu Xiaohong , Pallickara Shrideep , Uyar Ahmet , Youn Choonhan
Published: October 2002

We describe an information system architecture for the ACES (Asia–Pacific Cooperation for Earthquake Simulation) community. It addresses several key features of the field—simulations at multiple scales that need to be coupled together; real‐time and archival observational data, which needs to be analyzed for patterns and linked to the simulations; a variety of important algorithms including partial differential equation solvers, particle dynamics, signal processing and data analysis; a natural three‐dimensional space (plus time) setting for both visualization and observations; the linkage of field to real‐time events both as an aid to crisis management and to scientific discovery. We also address the need to support education and research for a field whose computational sophistication is rapidly increasing and spans a broad range. The information system assumes that all significant data is defined by an XML layer which could be virtual, but whose existence ensures that all data is object‐based and can be accessed and searched in this form. The various capabilities needed by ACES are defined as grid services, which are conformant with emerging standards and implemented with different levels of fidelity and performance appropriate to the application. Grid Services can be composed in a hierarchical fashion to address complex problems. The real‐time needs of the field are addressed by high‐performance implementation of data transfer and simulation services. Further, the environment is linked to real‐time collaboration to support interactions between scientists in geographically distant locations. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Meet, discuss, and segregate!
Authors: Weisbuch Gérard , Deffuant Guillaume , Amblard Frédéric , Nadal Jean‐Pierre
Published: October 2002

We present a model of opinion dynamics in which agents adjust continuous opinions as a result of random binary encounters whenever their difference in opinion is below a given threshold. High thresholds yield convergence of opinions toward an average opinion, whereas low thresholds result in several opinion clusters. The model is further generalized to network interactions, threshold heterogeneity, adaptive thresholds, and binary strings of opinions. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Absolutely exponential stability in delayed cellular neural networks
Authors: Zhang Jiye
Published: October 2002

In this paper, without assuming the boundedness, monotonicity and differentiability of the activation functions, we present a necessary and sufficient condition ensuring the existence and uniqueness of the equilibrium point of cellular neural network with fixed time delays (DCNNs). Using M‐matrix theory, Liapunov functionals and functions are constructed and employed to establish sufficient conditions for absolutely exponential stability of DCNNs. The results are applicable to DCNNs with both symmetric and non‐symmetric interconnection matrices, and globally Lipschitz continuous activation functions. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Multi‐template approach to realize central pattern generators for artificial locomotion control
Authors: Arena Paolo , Fortuna Luigi , Frasca Mattia
Published: October 2002

Biologically inspired control of artificial locomotion often makes use of the concept of central pattern generator (CPG), a network of neurons establishing the locomotion pattern within a lattice of neural activity. In this paper a new approach, based on cellular neural networks (CNNs), for the design of CPGs is presented. From a biological point of view this new approach includes an approximated chemical synapse realized and implemented in a CNN structure. This allows to extend the results, previously obtained with a reaction‐diffusion‐CNN (RD‐CNN) for the locomotion control of a hexapod robot, to a more general class of artificial CPGs in which the desired locomotion pattern and the switching among patterns are realized by means of a spatio‐temporal algorithm implemented in the same CNN structure. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.