bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characterization of a novel gene, sperm‐tail‐associated protein (Stap), in mouse post‐meiotic testicular germ cells
Authors: Ohuchi Jun , Arai Toshio , Kon Yasuhiro , Asano Atsushi , Yamauchi Hideto , Watanabe Tomomasa
Published: August 2002

During mammalian spermatogenesis, many specific molecules show the dynamics of expression and elimination, corresponding with the morphological differentiation of germ cells. We have isolated a novel cDNA designated F77 from mouse testis by cDNA subtractive hybridization between normal and sterile mice, using the C57BL/6 congenic strain for the hybrid sterilityhyphen;3 lpar;Hsthyphen;3rpar; allele from Mus spretus. The full‐length F77 mRNA was 3.4 kb and showed significant nonmatching with entries in the databases. F77 was mapped at a proximal position between D8Mit212 and D8Mit138 on mouse chromosome 8, in which no corresponding genes related to its nucleotide sequence were found. F77 mRNA was not detected in any other organs except the testis of adult fertile mice. F77 protein was only seen in normal adult testis and epididymis. In contrast to normal C57BL/6 mice, F77 mRNA and protein were not seen in germ cell‐deficient KitW/KitWv mice. By in situ hybridization, F77 mRNA was detected mainly at round spermatids in the sexually mature testis, and immunohistochemical analysis revealed that F77 protein was located at the tail of elongated spermatids. We are proposing the name, sperm‐tail‐associated protein (Stap), for the gene encoding F77 cDNA. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 59: 350–358, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Living with support in a home in the community: Predictors of behavioral development and household and community activity
Authors: Felce David , Emerson Eric
Published: August 2002

The purpose of this article was to review studies of behavioral development and household and community activity among adults with mental retardation living in community residential services and to distill knowledge about the factors that influence outcome. Research points to behavioral development occurring across the full spectrum of disability but influenced by mental retardation syndrome and the acquisition of pivotal skills. However, engagement in household and community activities has been found to be strongly related to individual adaptive behavior. People with more severe mental retardation are vulnerable to leading lives characterized by underoccupation and lack of community involvement. Moving from institutional to community‐based residential services may be accompanied by significant increases in adaptive behavior, but a plateau effect on subsequent development has also been reported. There is substantial evidence to suggest that key aspects of effective teaching technology may be absent in community‐based residential environments. Community settings support greater engagement in household and community activities than institutions. Ordinary housing stock and normative architecture and standards of material enrichment are to be preferred. The use of normative housing constrains group living to relatively small scale, but there is little evidence that smaller size within this range is to be preferred to larger size. There is little evidence to suggest that higher staff‐to‐resident ratios lead to uniformly better outcomes, but staff orientation, working methods, and performance are important influences. Little is known about what precise characteristics of community location give rise to greater community integration. MRDD Research Reviews 7:75–83, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Uncertainty in the analysis of tracer kinetics using dynamic contrast‐enhanced T1‐weighted MRI
Authors: Buckley David L.
Published: August 2002

In recent years a number of physiological models have gained prominence in the analysis of dynamic contrast‐enhanced T1‐weighted MRI data. However, there remains little evidence to support their use in estimating the absolute values of tissue physiological parameters such as perfusion, capillary permeability, and blood volume. In an attempt to address this issue, data were simulated using a distributed pathway model of tracer kinetics, and three published models were fitted to the resultant concentration‐time curves. Parameter estimates obtained from these fits were compared with the parameters used for the simulations. The results indicate that the use of commonly accepted models leads to systematic overestimation of the transfer constant, Ktrans, and potentially large underestimates of the blood plasma volume fraction, Vp. In summary, proposals for a practical approach to physiological modeling using MRI data are outlined. Magn Reson Med 47:601–606, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Cervicobrachial involvement in diabetic radiculoplexopathy
Authors: Katz Jonathan S. , Saperstein David S. , Wolfe Gil , Nations Sharon P. , Alkhersam Husam , Amato Anthony A. , Barohn Richard J.
Published: August 2002

Diabetic radiculoplexopathy is commonly viewed as a condition affecting the lower extremities. However, other regions may also be affected and the presence of upper extremity involvement has rarely been emphasized. Our goal was to illustrate the clinical features of arm involvement in this condition. Of 60 patients with diabetic lumbosacral radiculoplexopathy, we identified 9 who also had upper extremity involvement. The study included 8 men and 1 woman, ranging in age from 36 to 71 years. Upper limb involvement developed simultaneously with the onset of lower limb disorder in 1 patient, preceded it by 2 months in another patient, and occurred between 3 weeks and 15 months later in the remaining 7. In 5 cases, arm involvement developed after symptoms in the legs began to improve. The upper extremity weakness affected the hands and forearms most severely. It was unilateral in 5 patients and bilateral but asymmetric in 4. Pain was often present, but it was not a prominent feature. In most patients, neurologic deficits in the arms improved spontaneously after 2–9 months. We conclude that diabetic radiculoplexopathy may involve the cervical region before, after, or simultaneously with the lumbosacral syndrome. The upper limb process is similar to that in the legs, with subacutely progressive weakness and pain followed by spontaneous recovery. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Muscle Nerve 24: 794–798, 2001
Numerical performance of projection methods in finite element consolidation models
Authors: Gambolati Giuseppe , Pini Giorgio , Ferronato Massimiliano
Published: August 2002

Projection, or conjugate gradient like, methods are becoming increasingly popular for the efficient solution of large sparse sets of unsymmetric indefinite equations arising from the numerical integration of (initial) boundary value problems. One such problem is soil consolidation coupling a flow and a structural model, typically solved by finite elements (FE) in space and a marching scheme in time (e.g. the Crank–Nicolson scheme). The attraction of a projection method stems from a number of factors, including the ease of implementation, the requirement of limited core memory and the low computational cost if a cheap and effective matrix preconditioner is available. In the present paper, biconjugate gradient stabilized (Bi‐ CGSTAB) is used to solve FE consolidation equations in 2‐D and 3‐D settings with variable time integration steps. Three different nodal orderings are selected along with the preconditioner ILUT based on incomplete triangular factorization and variable fill‐in. The overall cost of the solver is made up of the preconditioning cost plus the cost to converge which is in turn related to the number of iterations and the elementary operations required by each iteration. The results show that nodal ordering affects the perfor mance of Bi‐CGSTAB. For normally conditioned consolidation problems Bi‐CGSTAB with the best ILUT preconditioner may converge in a number of iterations up to two order of magnitude smaller than the size of the FE model and proves an accurate, cost‐effective and robust alternative to direct methods. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Modification of ureteral motility and promotion of urine flow around an intraureteral obstruction by CL‐316243, phenylephrine, and furosemide in dogs
Authors: Tomiyama Yoshitaka , Murakami Makoto , Akiyama Katsuyoshi , Kojima Masami , Akahane Masuo , Park Young‐Chol , Kurita Takashi
Published: August 2002

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a β3‐adrenoceptor (AR) agonist (CL‐316243), an α1‐AR agonist (phenylephrine), and a loop diuretic (furosemide) on the spontaneous rhythmic contractions of the isolated canine ureter and on an acute ureteral obstruction produced by inflation of a balloon catheter in anesthetized dogs. In the isolated ureter, CL‐316243 concentration dependently reduced both the amplitude and frequency of the rhythmic contractions (pD2: 7.19 ± 0.33), whereas phenylephrine significantly enhanced both variables (pD2: 5.26 ± 0.09) and furosemide reduced them only slightly. In the acute ureteral obstruction model, the intraureteral pressure (IUP) gradually rose to reach a plateau of 58.9 mm Hg after inflation of a balloon catheter within the lower ureter. Intravenous administration of CL‐316243 (0.3 μg/kg) significantly reduced the elevated IUP and the resumed urine flow (UF), leading to a sustained reduction in the IUP. In contrast, the IUP continued to increase above the plateau level for 10 minutes after phenylephrine administration (10 μg/kg) and for 30 minutes after furosemide administration (1,000 μg/kg). In the phenylephrine group, the UF resumed when the IUP reached 75.8 mm Hg, and thereafter the IUP gradually decreased in parallel with the increase in the UF. From these results, we conclude that in dogs, CL‐316243 reduces the IUP by allowing the UF to resume as a result of a relaxation of ureter at the obstruction site, whereas with phenylephrine, the reduction in the IUP is secondary to a resumption in the UF resulting from an induced contraction of ureter that causes an increase in hydrostatic pressure above the obstruction site. Neurourol. Urodynam. 21:251–257, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Gas chromatographic analysis of essential oils with preliminary partition of components
Authors: Isidorov V. A. , Zenkevich I. G. , Krajewska U. , Dubis E. N. , Jaroszynska J. , Bal K.
Published: August 2002

The efficiency of using combinations of retention indices and partition coefficients (Kp) with a hexane: acetonitrile system has been demonstrated by taking as an example the essential oil from Artemisia pallens Wall. Preliminary partition of the components between the two partly mixing liquids provides information by which components can be attributed to the appropriate homologous series. The use of group constants (j), which are functions of both partition coefficients and GC retention indices, in the practice of identifying the components of essential oils is reported for the first time. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A rapid and inexpensive microplate assay for the enzymatic determination of glucose, fructose, sucrose, L‐malate and citrate in tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) extracts and in orange juice
Authors: Velterop Joyce S. , Vos Femke
Published: August 2002

Sugars and organic acids are important determinants of taste in fruits and vegetables. Based on the enzymatic analyses originally developed by Boehringer‐Mannheim, rapid and reliable microplate‐based assays were devised for glucose, fructose and sucrose in tomato and orange juice, and citrate and L‐malate in tomato. These microplate assays were used to compare some commercially available tomato types, and to study the compartmentation of sugars and acids between pericarp and locular tissue of tomato fruit. The microplate format allows analysis of many samples per day and the only apparatus required is a microplate reader. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Increased fetal nuchal fold leading to prenatal diagnosis of ring chromosome 15
Authors: Liu Yu‐Hung , Dyh Chang Shuenn , Chen Fang‐Ping
Published: August 2002

We report on the prenatal diagnosis of ring chromosome 15 in a fetus with increased nuchal fold and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). A 27‐year‐old woman gravida 2, para 1 had normal maternal serum screen tests in the early second trimester of the index pregnancy. Fetal nuchal fold thickening up to 8 mm was incidentally found during the routine obstetric ultrasound scan at 20 weeks' gestation. Amniocentesis was undertaken and the fetal karyotype was found to be 46,XY,r(15) on cytogenetic study. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) using a telomeric probe of chromosome 15 demonstrated a terminal deletion on the q arm of the ring‐shaped chromosome 15. This is the first report of a prenatally diagnosed case of ring chromosome 15. Moreover, nuchal fold thickness in the second trimester may have a role in its prenatal diagnosis. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Dysplastic and polycystic kidneys: diagnosis, associations and management
Authors: Winyard Paul , Chitty Lyn
Published: August 2002

Cystic and bright kidneys can pose a significant diagnostic dilemma when discovered as an incidental finding at the time of a routine fetal ultrasound scan. There are diverse aetiologies with equally variable implications for the prognosis in the affected fetus, and for future pregnancies. Accurate antenatal diagnosis in the absence of any positive family history is often not possible and a team approach to management (to include the fetal medicine specialist, paediatric nephrologist or urologist, geneticists and in some cases, pathologist) is essential. In this review we will attempt to describe the embryology and aetiology of these conditions and suggest an approach to management. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Health needs, drug registration and control in less developed countries—the Peruvian case
Authors: Figueras Albert , Vasquez Susana , Arnau Josep‐Maria , Laporte Joan‐Ramon
Published: August 2002

A number of factors influence how medicines are used in each community, but drug registration is the initial and usually necessary step. In the course of an external advisory consultation, the list of approved medicines in Peru in 1998 was examined. Of 1672 newly approved forms, 119 were of 49 new chemical entities. Sildenafil, meloxicam, nimesulide, candesartan, irebesartan, naratriptan, trovafloxacin and grepafloxacin were among them. Several aspects about the new global drug situation and ‘real’ health needs versus ‘induced’ health needs are discussed from this example. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Continuous distribution kinetics for ultrasonic degradation of poly(methyl methacrylate)
Authors: Madras Giridhar , Karmore Vishal
Published: August 2002

Ultrasonic degradation of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) was carried out in several solvents and some mixtures of solvents. The time evolution of molecular weight distribution (MWD), determined by gel permeation chromatography, is analysed by continuous distribution kinetics. The rate coefficients for polymer degradation are determined for each solvent. The variation of rate coefficients is correlated with the vapour pressure of the solvent, kinematic viscosity of the solution and solvent–polymer interaction parameters. The vapour pressure and the kinematic viscosity of the solution are found to be more critical than other parameters (such as the Huggins and Flory–Huggins constants) in determining the degradation rates.

© 2001 Society of Chemical Industry
Profile analysis of the Woodcock‐Johnson III tests of cognitive abilities with gifted students
Authors: Rizza Mary G. , McIntosh David E. , McCunn Alice
Published: August 2002

The Cattell‐Horn‐Carroll (CHC) factor clusters of the Woodcock‐Johnson III Tests of Cognitive Abilities (WJ III COG; Woodcock, McGrew, & Mather, 2001) were studied with a group of gifted (n = 51) and nongifted individuals (n = 51). Specifically, a profile analysis was conducted using the seven CHC factors identified by the WJ III COG authors. The gifted and nongifted individuals were between the ages of 5 and 18 years, and were matched on gender, age, ethnicity, and father's level of education. Each group consisted of 23 females and 28 males. The mean age in months for the gifted group was 135.61 (SD = 48.81), and the mean age in months for the nongifted group was 134.25 (SD = 47.86). The results of the profile analysis found gifted and nongifted individuals display similar patterns of performance across the CHC factor clusters. As expected, the gifted group, on average, scored consistently higher across the set of CHC factor clusters compared to the nongifted group. In addition, no intracognitive differences were found among the CHC factor clusters for either the gifted or nongifted group. Clinical and educational considerations when using the WJ III COG when assessing giftedness are also discussed. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Polymerization of high‐solids‐content acrylic latexes using a nonionic polymerizable surfactant
Authors: Aramendia E. , Barandiaran M. J. , Grade J. , Blease T. , Asua J. M.
Published: August 2002

Stable high‐solids‐content methyl methacrylate/butylacrylate latexes with small particle sizes (in the range of 150–180 nm) were obtained with a nonionic polymerizable surfactant (surfmer). Three percent of surfmer with respect to monomer was proven to be enough for the stabilization of the latexes. The influence of different operational variables on the stabilization of the final latex was analyzed, and the conditions needed to obtain coagulum‐free latex were assessed. The inorganic potassium persulfate/sodium metabisulfite initiator system provided better stability than the organictert‐butyl hydroperoxide/ascorbic acid as a result of the end groups. In addition, the feeding of acrylic acid during the second half of the polymerization improved the stability of the final latex. The reduction of the feeding time was effective in the stabilization. Proof of the surfmer incorporation into the particles is presented. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 40: 1552–1559, 2002
Synthesis and proton conductivities of phosphonic acid containing poly‐(arylene ether)s
Authors: Meng Y. Z. , Tjong S. C. , Hay A. S. , Wang S. J.
Published: August 2002

A novel phosphonic acid containing bisphenol was successfully synthesized from phenolphthalein and m‐aminophenylphosphonic acid. A series of homo‐ and copoly‐(arylene ether)s containing phosphonic acid groups were prepared by solution nucleophilic polycondensation. These phosphonic acid containing polymers can readily be dissolved in common organic solvents, such as dimethyl sulfoxide, N‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidinone, and N‐cyclohexylpyrrolidinone, and can be cast into tough and smooth films. The presence of phosphonic acid pendants in the poly‐(arylene ether)s was confirmed by NMR, matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry, and conductivity measurements. This is the first report on the attachment of phenylphosphonic acid groups as side chains to aromatic polyethers. These poly‐(arylene ether)s had very high glass‐transition temperatures ranging from 254 to >315 °C and high molecular weights. The conductivities of the synthesized polymers were analyzed by the Cole–Cole method, and they ranged from 10−5 to 10−6 Scm−1. The synthesized polymers also exhibited good solution processability. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 39: 3218–3226, 2001
Dimensions of branched polymers formed in simultaneous long‐chain branching and random scission
Authors: Tobita Hidetaka
Published: August 2002

In free‐radical olefin polymerizations, the polymer‐transfer reactions could lead to chain scission as well as the formation of long‐chain branches. The Monte Carlo simulation for free‐radical polymerization that involves simultaneous long‐chain branching and random scission is used to investigate detailed branched structure. The relationship between the mean‐square radius of gyration 〈s2〉 and degree of polymerization P as well as that between the branching density and P is the same for both with and without random scission reactions—at least for smaller frequencies of scission reactions. The 〈s2〉 values were larger than those calculated from the Zimm–Stockmayer (Z‐S) equation in which random distribution of branch points is assumed, and therefore, the Z‐S equation may not be applied for low‐density polyethylenes. The elution curves of size exclusion chromatography were also simulated. The molecular weight distribution (MWD) calibrated relative to standard linear polymers is much narrower than the true MWD, and high molecular weight tails are clearly underestimated. A simplified method to estimate the true MWD from the calibrated MWD data is proposed. The MWD obtained with a light scattering photometer in which the absolute weight‐average molecular weight of polymers at each retention volume is determined directly is considered a reasonable estimate of the true MWD. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 39: 2960–2968, 2001
Free‐volume variation in polyethylenes of different crystallinities: Positron lifetime, density, and X‐ray studies
Authors: Dlubek G. , Stejny J. , Lüpke Th. , Bamford D. , Petters K. , Hübner Ch. , Alam M. A. , Hill M. J.
Published: August 2002

High‐quality positron lifetime measurements (70 million total counts) are reported for polyethylenes (PEs) of different crystallinities (Xc= 3–82%). The specific volumes of the crystalline and amorphous phases (VcandVa, respectively) were estimated from density and wide‐angle X‐ray scattering (WAXS) experiments. Some samples (those with low values ofXc) were branched PEs, and those with high values ofXcwere linear PEs for whichXcwas varied with changes in the crystallization temperature. BothVcandVaincrease with decreasingXcin the range 0% ≤Xc≤ 56% (the branched PEs) but are constant forXc≥ 56% (the linear PEs). The lifetime spectra were analyzed with the MELT and LIFSPECFIT routines. Artifacts that can appear in the spectrum analysis were checked via an analysis of computer‐generated spectra. Four lifetime components appeared in all of the PEs; the two long‐lived ones are attributed to pick‐off annihilation ofortho‐positronium (o‐Ps) in crystalline regions (τ3) and in holes of the amorphous phase (τ4). With increasingXc, τ3decreases from about 1.2 to 1 ns, τ4decreases from 3.0 to 2.5 ns, and the intensityI4decreases from 29 to 0%. An increase inI3from 6 to 12% was observed. A comparison with simulations shows that the trueI3value approaches 0 forXc→ 0%. The decrease inI4is weaker than the increase inXc; this leads to the conclusion that the apparent specifico‐Ps yield in the amorphous phaseI4Xcincreases withXc. Possible reasons for this surprising results are discussed. The fractional free hole volume [h= (Va−Vocc)/Va, whereVoccis the crystalline occupied volume] was estimated from density and WAXS results. BetweenXc= 0 and 56%,hdecreases from 0.151 to 0.090, but it does not change further aboveXc= 56%. The mean size (v) of the local free volumes (holes) estimated from τ4decreases from 200 to 150 Å3. The number density of holes (Nh) calculated from these values (Nh=h/v) also decreases from 0.8 to 0.6 nm−3in the range 0% ≤Xc≤ 56%. The values ofVa,Vc,h, andNhincrease with an increasing degree of branching but do not vary for linear PEs. The possible influence of a crystalline–amorphous interfacial phase (three‐phase model) on the observed lifetime parameters is also discussed. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 40: 65–81, 2002
Development of progressive pulmonary interstitial and intra‐alveolar cholesterol granulomas (PICG) associated with therapy‐resistant chronic systemic juvenile arthritis (CJA)
Authors: Schultz Rüdiger , Mattila Jorma , Gappa Monika , Verronen Paula
Published: August 2002

A girl aged 5 years with therapy‐resistant chronic systemic juvenile arthritis (CJA) developed progressive fibrosing lung disease. Histology of an open lung biopsy revealed pulmonary interstitial and intra‐alveolar cholesterol granulomas (PICG).

Since treatment with steroids and immunosupressive drugs did not prevent progression of lung fibrosis, an experimental treatment with a tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) antagonist etanercept was started. Although development of chronic changes in the lung parenchyma could not be prevented, this treatment brought considerable relief and markedly improved the child's physical capacity. By ruling out other causes for development of PICG, we concluded that the primary disease had caused the development of cholesterol granulomata by macrophage activation.

We suggest, therefore, that a trial with etanercept in children with otherwise therapy‐resistant CJA should be considered, especially if pulmonary complications have developed. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2001; 32:397–402. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effects of the Bowman‐Birk inhibitor on growth, invasion, and clonogenic survival of human prostate epithelial cells and prostate cancer cells*
Authors: Kennedy Ann R. , Wan X. Steven
Published: August 2002

BACKGROUND

The Bowman‐Birk inhibitor (BBI) is a soybean‐derived serine protease inhibitor with demonstrated anticarcinogenic activity in both in vitro and in vivo systems.

METHODS

The effects of BBI and BBI Concentrate (BBIC), a soybean concentrate enriched in BBI, on cell growth, invasion, and/or survival were evaluated by the sulforhodamine B assay, a colony formation assay, the trypan blue dye exclusion assay and an in vitro invasion assay. The cells used in these studies were normal human prostate epithelial cells and prostate epithelial cell lines derived from embryonic prostate tissue (267B1) or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) tissue (BRF‐55T) and human prostate cancer cells established by Ki‐ras oncogene transfection of 267B1 cells (267B1/Ki‐ras) or from metastatic lesions of human prostate cancer (LNCaP and PC‐3).

RESULTS

BBIC had a statistically significant inhibitory effect on the growth and clonogenic survival of BRF‐55T, 267B1/Ki‐ras, LNCaP, and PC‐3 cells. BBI also inhibited the growth of LNCaP cells and the clonogenic survival of BRF‐55T and 267B1/Ki‐ras cells and decreased the ability of LNCaP cells to invade across reconstituted basement membrane (Matrigel) when PC‐3 cell‐conditioned medium was utilized as the chemoattractant. BBI or BBIC did not affect the growth of normal prostate epithelial cells.

CONCLUSION

BBI and/or BBIC could be a useful agent for treatment of prostate diseases. Prostate 50: 125–133, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Worry and attitude of men in at‐risk families for prostate cancer about genetic susceptibility and genetic testing
Authors: Cormier Luc , Valéri Antoine , Azzouzi Rahmene , Fournier Georges , Cussenot Olivier , Berthon Philippe , Guillemin Francis , Mangin Philippe
Published: August 2002

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to evaluate worry about genetic susceptibility and the attitude of men with family history of prostate cancer (CaP) toward genetic testing.

METHODS

Three hundred seventy‐five eligible first‐degree relatives (FDR) of men with CaP, were asked to participate in a screening and to fill out a survey covering the worry about genetic susceptibility and interest in genetic testing.

RESULTS

Of the 375 candidates contacted, 277 completed the survey, and had undergone PSA measurement. Sixty‐four percent worried a little or not at all about inherited predisposition to CaP, while the remainder worried a lot or extremely. The candidates who worried a lot or extremely were men with high levels of durable anxiety disposition (STAI trait), who had undergone a previous screening procedure and men with sons. Ninety‐eight percent of men expressed their interest in undergoing genetic testing. The most motivated candidates to have the test done were men with several relatives with CaP.

CONCLUSIONS

The level of worry about genetic susceptibility was low and there was a concrete interest in genetic testing in FDR of men with CaP. This interest increased with the number of CaP in the family. Prostate 51: 276–285, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Fast and accurate side‐chain topology and energy refinement (FASTER) as a new method for protein structure optimization
Authors: Desmet Johan , Spriet Jan , Lasters Ignace
Published: August 2002

We have developed an original method for global optimization of protein side‐chain conformations, called the Fast and Accurate Side‐Chain Topology and Energy Refinement (FASTER) method. The method operates by systematically overcoming local minima of increasing order. Comparison of the FASTER results with those of the dead‐end elimination (DEE) algorithm showed that both methods produce nearly identical results, but the FASTER algorithm is 100–1000 times faster than the DEE method and scales in a stable and favorable way as a function of protein size. We also show that low‐order local minima may be almost as accurate as the global minimum when evaluated against experimentally determined structures. In addition, the new algorithm provides significant information about the conformational flexibility of individual side‐chains. We observed that strictly rigid side‐chains are concentrated mainly in the core of the protein, whereas highly flexible side‐chains are found almost exclusively among solvent‐oriented residues. Proteins 2002;48:31–43. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Crystal structure of a mutant human lysozyme with a substituted disulfide bond
Authors: Inaka Koji , Kanaya Eiko , Kikuchi Masakazu , Miki Kunio
Published: August 2002

The three‐dimensional structure of a mutant human lysozyme, W64CC65A, in which a non‐native disulfide bond Cys64Cys81 is substituted for the Cys65Cys81 of the wild type protein by replacing Trp64 and Cys65 with Cys and Ala, respectively, was determined by X‐ray crystallography and refined to an R‐value of 0.181, using 33,187 reflections at 1.87‐Å resolution. The refined model of the W64CC65A protein consisted of four molecules, which were related by two noncrystallographic twofold axes and a translation vector. Although no specific structural differences could be observed among these four molecules, the overall B‐factors of each molecule were quite different. The overall structure of W64CC65A, especially in the α‐helical domain, was found to be quite similar to that of the wild type protein. Moreover, the side‐chain conformation of the newly formed Cys64Cys81 bond was quite similar to that of the Cys65Cys81 bond of the wild‐type protein. However, in the β‐sheet domain, the main‐chain atoms of the loop region from positions 66–75 could not be determined, and significant structural changes due to the formation of the non‐native disulfide bond could be observed. From these results, it is clear that the loop region of the mutant protein does not fold with the specific folding as observed in the wild‐type protein. Proteins 2001;43:413–419. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Contact and fumigant activities of constituents of Foeniculum vulgare fruit against three coleopteran stored‐product insects
Authors: Kim Do‐Hyoung , Ahn Young‐Joon
Published: August 2002

The insecticidal activities of materials derived from the fruit of fennel, Foeniculum vulgare, against adults of Sitophilus oryzae, Callosobruchus chinensis and Lasioderma serricorne were examined using direct contact application and fumigation methods. The biologically active constituents of the Foeniculum fruits were characterized as the phenylpropenes (E)‐anethole and estragole, and the monoterpene (+)‐fenchone, by spectroscopic analysis. Responses varied with insect species, compound, dose and exposure time. In a filter paper diffusion test, estragole at 0.168 mg cm−2 caused 91% mortality to S oryzae adults within 1 day after treatment (DAT), whereas (+)‐fenchone and (E)‐anethole gave over 90% mortality at 2 and 4 DAT, respectively. Against C chinensis adults, all test compounds revealed potent insecticidal activities at 0.021 mg cm−2 at 2 DAT. Against L serricorne adults at 0.105 mg cm−2, (E)‐anethole gave 100% mortality at 1 DAT, whereas 90 and 60% mortality at 4 DAT was achieved with estragole and (+)‐fenchone, respectively. In a fumigation test, the test compounds were much more effective against adults of S oryzae, C chinensis and L serricorne in closed cups than in open ones, indicating that the insecticidal activity of test compounds was largely attributable to fumigant action. As naturally occurring insect‐control agents, the F vulgare fruit‐derived materials described could be useful for managing field populations of S oryzae, C chinensis and L serricorne. © 2001 Society of Chemical Industry
Evaluation of medium treatments for management of Frankliniella occidentalis (Thripidae: Thysanoptera) and Bradysia coprophila (Diptera: Sciaridae)
Authors: Ludwig Scott W , Oetting Ronald D
Published: August 2002

Two greenhouse experiments, each comprising two trials, were conducted to evaluate medium drenches of insect growth regulators and conventional insecticides to reduce emergence of adult western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande), and fungus gnats, Bradysia coprophila (Lintner) from the medium. In the insect growth regulator trials, diflubenzuron and pyriproxyfen provided the greatest reduction in thrips emergence, and fenoxycarb, pyriproxyfen and azadirachtin resulted in the most significant reduction of fungus gnat emergence. Treatments with the contact insecticides, methiocarb and chlorpyrifos, resulted in the greatest reduction of thrips and fungus gnat populations. These data suggest that fungus gnats are susceptible to many compounds used in commercial greenhouse production. Even though medium drenches are not currently used for thrips management, drenches with diflubenzuron, pyriproxyfen, methiocarb and chlorpyrifos could aid in reducing thrips populations in greenhouse management programs.

© 2001 Society of Chemical Industry
Temporal, environmental and management factors influencing the epidemiological patterns of sea lice (Lepeophtheirus salmonis) infestations on farmed Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) in Scotland
Authors: Revie Crawford W , Gettinby George , Treasurer James W , Rae Gordon H , Clark Norman
Published: August 2002

In association with industry, an extensive database has been established on measurements of sea louse counts on farmed Atlantic salmon for the years 1996 to 2000 from 33 Scottish fish farms. These data include extensive counts on the sea louse species, Lepeophtheirus salmonis, at various stages of the life cycle and in particular the chalimus and mobile stages. There has been considerable speculation as to what factors might affect the abundance of sea lice, much of which is based on limited evidence. Our analyses show that there is tremendous variation in sea louse infestation patterns from year to year, whereas stock type, geographical region and coastal exposure do not appear to affect mean levels of abundance. In contrast, treatments lead to pronounced cycles of sea louse infestation with peaks and troughs at 3‐week intervals, and these interventions are important if the sea louse levels on fish are to be controlled. There was no evidence of water temperature affecting the mean annual abundance of sea louse infestation.

© 2002 Society of Chemical Industry
Synthesis, conformational analysis and biological activities of lanthionine analogs of a cell adhesion modulator
Authors: Li Haitao , Jiang Xiaohui , Goodman Murray
Published: August 2002

Cell adhesion is critical for many biological processes, such as hemostasis, wound healing, tumor metastasis and inflammation. Integrins are important mediators of cell adhesion. The integrin α4β1, also known as VLA‐4, is a cell surface receptor involved in inflammation. A cyclic peptide, 1‐FCA‐Arg‐c[Cys‐Asp‐Thz‐Cys]‐OH, is a potent antagonist to VLA‐4 with an IC50 of 2.4 n𝓂. In the current study, we synthesized the lanthionine analogs of 1‐FCA‐Arg‐c[Cys‐Asp‐Thz‐Cys]‐OH and determined the conformations of both the parent compound and its lanthionine analog in solution by NMR and computer simulations. The lanthionine analog retains its selectivity to VLA‐4 with high nanomolar potency. Both molecules adopt similar topological arrangements in their conformations, while some important differences remain in the sulfur bridge region, which may cause the difference in potency. Copyright © 2001 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Antioxidant capacities of ten edible North American plants
Authors: Acuña Ulyana Muñoz , Atha Daniel E. , Ma Jun , Nee Michael H. , Kennelly Edward J.
Published: August 2002

The EtOAc extract obtained from ten edible North American plants, Acorus calamus, Clintonia borealis, Gaultheria shallon, Juniperus osteosperma, Opuntia polyacantha, Prunus americana, Prunus virginiana, Sambucus cerulea, Sorbus americana and Vaccinium parvifolium, were tested in the 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical assay. High antioxidant activity was obtained from the extracts of three fruits, Gaultheria shallon, Sambucus cerulea and Prunus americana and one extracted rhizome, Acorus calamus. Catechin and epicatechin, potent polyphenolic antioxidants, were identified in the EtOAc extracts of Gaultheria shallon and Sambucus cerulea by reversed‐phase thin‐layer chromatography (TLC) and reversed‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Predicting and determining the bending stiffness of thin films and laminates
Authors: Wyser Y. , Pelletier C. , Lange J.
Published: August 2002

Three different techniques for experimentally determining the bending stiffness of flexible films and laminates have been evaluated using a number of different packaging materials. The results showed that a cantilever test was the best, giving reliable data for all kinds of films and laminates. A three‐point bending test proved to be sensitive to misalignment, whereas a bending‐under‐own‐weight test was incapable of handling curled samples and generally gave lower stiffness values. A model for predicting the bending stiffness of multilayer laminates from the elastic modulus of the constituents was developed and used to examine the influence of layer position and composition on the overall bending stiffness. Model calculations showed that thin layers, such as adhesives, print and barrier coatings, can have a large influence on the bending stiffness and that the influence often goes against what would be intuitively expected. The calculations also showed that layer modulus often is less important than layer thickness and that the position of the layer in the laminate can have a major influence on the overall stiffness. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Theoretical ab initio study of NO and CO depollution reaction catalyzed by copper
Authors: Bouhlel O. , Zina M. , Boughdiri S. , Tangour B.
Published: August 2002

The reaction between NO and CO leading to N2 and CO2 is the most studied depollution process of the former molecules. An ab initio study of a multistage mechanism of this reaction catalyzed by copper was performed at SCF level. Many intermediates intervene in the proposed mechanism, such as CuCO, CuNO, CuO, and NCO. Geometrical parameters, atomic charge, dipole moment, vibrational normal mode wave number, and dissociation energy of intervening molecules were calculated. Thermochemistry parameters (ΔH, ΔG, ΔS) were also obtained. Transition state has also been determined and has allowed us to discuss the reaction mechanism. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2001
Phosphopeptide analysis by positive and negative ion matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry
Authors: Janek Katharina , Wenschuh Holger , Bienert Michael , Krause Eberhard
Published: August 2002

This article describes a simple procedure for the detection of phosphorylated peptides by comparable positive and negative ion mode matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry measurements. Based on studies with phosphorylated peptides (EAIXAAPFAK, X = pS, pT, pY) and their corresponding non‐phosphorylated analogs, it was found that phosphopeptides, which are characterized by a low ionization efficiency in the positive ion mode, exhibit drastically increased signal intensities in the negative ion mode compared to their non‐phosphorylated analogs. The effect was successfully used to identify phosphorylated sequences of the commonly used phosphoprotein standards, protein kinase A and β‐casein, by peptide mass fingerprint analyses of the corresponding Lys C and trypsin digests using both (positive and negative) ion modes. The comparison of positive and negative ion spectra of a given protein digest (relative intensity[M − H]−/relative intensity[M + H]+) can be used to identify any phosphopeptides present which may then be separated and analyzed further. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Vapor species over cerium and samarium trichlorides, enthalpies of formation of (LnCl3)n molecules and Cl−(LnCl3)n ions
Authors: Pogrebnoi A. M. , Kudin L. S. , Motalov V. B. , Goryushkin V. F.
Published: August 2002

A Knudsen effusion cell mass spectrometric technique was used to study vapor species over CeCl3 and SmCl3. Monomer, dimer, and trimer (Sm3Cl9) molecules, and LnCl4−, Ln2Cl7−, Ln3Cl10− (Ln = Ce, Sm) negative ions, were observed in saturated vapor in the temperature range 958–1227 K. Partial vapor pressures of neutral constituents were determined and the enthalpies of sublimation (ΔsH, 298 K, kJ·mol−1) to monomers and associated molecules obtained: 328 ± 6 (CeCl3), 306 ± 6 (SmCl3), 453 ± 16 (Ce2Cl6), 408 ± 12 (Sm2Cl6), and 468 ± 40 (Sm3Cl9). Equilibrium constants for various chemical reactions were measured and the enthalpies of reactions obtained using the second and third laws of thermodynamics. The enthalpies of formation (ΔfH, 298 K, kJ·mol−1) of molecules and ions have been calculated as follows: −730 ± 6 (CeCl3), −722 ± 6 (SmCl3), −1663 ± 16 (Ce2Cl6), −1649 ± 13 (Sm2Cl6), −2617 ± 40 (Sm3Cl9), −1250 ± 15 (CeCl4−), −1252 ± 15 (SmCl4−), −2184 ± 35 ­(Ce2Cl7−), −2172 ± 26 (Sm2Cl7−), −3183 ± 43 (Ce3Cl10−), and −3147 ± 43 (Sm3Cl10−). Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Measurement of gastric emptying in man using deuterated octanoic acid
Authors: Bluck Leslie J. C. , Harding Marilyn , French Stephen , Wright Antony , Halliday Dave , Coward W. Andrew
Published: August 2002

Gamma scintigraphy is considered the gold standard for the measurement of gastric emptying in humans. Recently, it has been proposed that a [13C]octanoate breath test can be used as an alternative technique for measuring gastric emptying of the solid phase, but the results from the two methods are not directly equivalent since in the breath test the label is subject to post‐absorptive processing and consequently the emptying functions cannot be observed directly. This work investigates an alternative stable isotope method using deuterated octanoate where the kinetics of redistribution between and elimination from the various body pools are much more easily modelled. Gastric emptying was studied in healthy human volunteers by simultaneous measurement using both [13C]octanoate and [2H]octanoate as well as gamma scintigraphy. Comparison of the gastric emptying functions from the deuterium method and scintigraphy indicated that the two methods gave equivalent results. The new method can therefore be used in populations considered too vulnerable to ionising radiation to allow gamma scintigraphy to be performed, or as a proxy gold standard in laboratories where scintigraphic methods are unavailable, allowing further comparisons with the breath test method to be made to validate the latter in different population groups. Copyright© 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Intramolecular cross‐linking experiments on cytochrome c and ribonuclease A using an isotope multiplet method
Authors: Pearson Kara M. , Pannell Lewis K. , Fales Henry M.
Published: August 2002

Mass spectral analysis of tryptic digests of cross‐linked proteins offers considerable promise as a simple technique to probe protein structure and study protein‐protein interactions. We describe the use of a 1:1 mixture of isotopically labeled and unlabeled cross‐linkers, disuccinimidyladipate (DSA) and dimethyladipimidate (DMA), to enhance visualization of cross‐linked peptides in a tryptic digest. Optimized intramolecular reactions of cytochrome c and ribonuclease A (RNase A) with DSA yielded an average of two cross‐links per protein molecule. After digestion of the cross‐linked cytochrome c with trypsin and analysis by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) and matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI), eight modified peptides, five cross‐linked and two end‐capped, were detected by virtue of their doublet character. An eighth modified peptide's identity remained ambiguous because of its inability to fragment. The lysine‐lysine distance constraints obtained are discussed in the context of the known NMR and X‐ray structures of cytochrome c. Analysis of cross‐linked RNase A by LC/MS and MALDI yielded nine modified peptides, four of which were modified twice, as indicated by the isotopic triplets. Although seven of these peptides contained cross‐links, few distance constraints were gained due to the fact that the cross‐linked products were variations of modification of the same three lysine residues. Published in 2001 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Concentration of non‐Lipschitz functions and applications
Authors: Vu V. H.
Published: August 2002

Strong concentration results play a fundamental role in probabilistic combinatorics and theoretical computer science. In this paper, we present several new concentration results developed recently by the author and collaborators. To illustrate the power of these new results, we discuss applications in many different areas of mathematics, from combinatorial number theory to the theory of random graphs. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Random Struct. Alg., 20:262–316, 2002
Study control, violators, inclusion criteria and defining explanatory and pragmatic trials
Authors: McMahon Alex D.
Published: August 2002

Important differences between explanatory and pragmatic studies were originally argued by Schwartz and Lellouch. Three important differences between the two types of study involve study control, study violators and inclusion criteria. It was originally argued that explanatory studies are highly controlled, and pragmatic studies may be looser and more like ‘real life’. It was argued that an explanatory study should only analyse those receiving treatment, and a pragmatic study would analyse all randomized patients. Explanatory trials are said to use homogeneous groups, and pragmatic studies have less selection (better generalizability). Some suggestions are put forward to update the original distinctions between these two attitudes for future study design. Poor study control is undesirable (but might be necessary) and should not be welcomed as pragmatic. The intention‐to‐treat strategy is now considered as standard for nearly all trials. Homogeneity is a red herring for studies in humans. Inclusion criteria should be minimized and they should not be used to justify claims of representativeness. Routine criticism of randomized controlled trials for being unrepresentative is unwarranted. We should accept that most trials in humans are ‘explanatory’. The division line should be moved, so that pragmatic studies are in the domain of non‐therapeutics and complex treatments. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Number needed to treat (NNT): estimation of a measure of clinical benefit
Authors: Walter S. D.
Published: August 2002

The number needed to treat (NNT) is becoming increasingly popular as an index for reporting the results of randomized trials and other clinical studies. It represents the expected number of patients who must be treated with an experimental therapy in order to prevent one additional adverse outcome event (or, depending on the context, to expect one additional beneficial outcome), compared to the expected event rates under the control therapy. Although NNT is a clinically useful measure, little work has been done on its statistical properties. In this paper, alternative NNT‐type measures are defined for use with discrete or continuous data. Estimators and their variances are obtained for these measures in cross‐over or parallel group designs. The ideas are illustrated with data on quality of life in asthma patients. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.