bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Muscle reflexes during gait elicited by electrical stimulation of the posterior cruciate ligament in humans
Authors: Fischer‐Rasmussen T. , Krogsgaard M. R. , Jensen D. B. , Dyhre‐Poulsen P. 
Published: October 2002

AbstractWe investigated the influence of electrical stimulation of the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) on the motoneuron pool of the thigh and calf muscle during gait. The study group comprised eight young men without any history of injury to the knee joints. Multistranded teflon‐insulated stainless steel wires were inserted into the PCL guided by sonography and in four subjects also into the fat pad of the knee. The PCL was electrically stimulated during gait on a treadmill at heel strike and 100 ms after heel strike. Electromyographic signals were recorded with bipolar surface electrodes placed over the vastus medialis, rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, biceps femoris caput longum, and semitendinosus muscles. The stimuli consisted of four pulses delivered at 200 Hz; the stimulus amplitude was two to three times the sensory threshold. The electrical stimulation of the PCL inhibited the ongoing muscle activity in both the quadriceps and the hamstrings. The latency of the inhibition ranged between 78 and 148 ms in the quadriceps, between 88 and 110 ms in the hamstrings and between 189 and 258 ms in m. gastrocnemius. Stimulation of the fat pad of the knee did not influence the thigh and calf muscle motoneuron pool as evidenced by electromyography. The response elicited from the stimulation of the PCL was not limited to a specific muscle group but depended on ongoing muscle contraction, which suggests that the mechanoreceptors in the PCL are involved in the control of all muscles acting on the knee joint during gait. © 2002 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Perception of vertical and horizontal orientation in children with scoliosis
Authors: Cheung John , Sluiter Wim J. , Veldhuizen Albert G. , Cool Jan C. , Van Horn Jim R. 
Published: October 2002

AbstractTo determine whether the perception of body posture is altered in idiopathic scoliosis, a simple neurophysiologic experiment through laser line projection was conducted to test this hypothesis in three groups of individuals: 89 children with idiopathic scoliosis (IS), 50 children with congenital scoliosis (CS) and 45 controls without scoliosis. The subjects were instructed to adjust a laser line projection to the direction of gravity in vertical and in horizontal projections in a dark environment. The performance, expressed as the deviation from the earth vertical (measured in degrees), was calculated by a computer. The three groups fulfilled the vertical and horizontal adjustments within the same accuracy. No relation with age, sex or severity of scoliotic deformity was found. Yet, the angle between vertical and horizontal laser lines was significantly related with the severity of scoliosis, both in IS and CS. In contrast to our hypothesis, it was concluded that perception of postural control in IS is not altered. Therefore, this study indicates that IS is not likely to be caused by a dysfunction of postural control. © 2002 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Tenascin‐C expression and distribution in cultured human chondrocytes and chondrosarcoma cells
Authors: Ghert Michelle A. , Qi Wen‐Ning , Erickson Harold P. , Block Joel A. , Scully Sean P. 
Published: October 2002

AbstractTenascin‐C (TNC) is an oligomeric glycoprotein of the extracellular matrix with several distinct isoforms variably expressed during embryogenesis, tumorogenesis, angiogenesis and wound healing. In the normal human adult, TNC is found in large concentrations in articular cartilage, suggesting tissue‐specific function. The purpose of this study was to determine the specific in vitro TNC splicing patterns of articular chondrocytes and a human chondrosarcoma cell line. Cells were cultured in a three‐dimensional bead system and TNC splice variant expression and distribution were examined with the use of Western blotting techniques, semi‐quantitative reverse‐transcription polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry. At both the transcriptional and post‐translational levels, the chondrocytes were found to express significantly higher levels of the smaller 220 kDa isoform (P < 0.01), which was predominantly incorporated into the matrix. The splicing pattern of the malignant cells was characterized by a higher proportion of the larger 320 kDa isoform which was extruded into the media. In vivo studies are necessary to verify the expression of the large TNC isoform in chondrosarcoma and the production and integration of the smaller isoform in normal chondroid matrix. In addition, elucidation of the biologic functions of the two major TNC isoforms may lead to the development of novel diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to chondrosarcoma. © 2002 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Sciatic conditioned medium increases survival, proliferation and differentiation of retinal cells in culture
Authors: Torres Patrı́cia Maria Mendonça , Guilarducci Carla Valéria Vieira , Franco Alfred Sholl , de Araujo Elizabeth Giestal 
Published: October 2002

AbstractMany evidences clearly demonstrate that Schwann cells provide trophic support for neurons. Different cytokines, including neurotrophins (NTs), are produced and released by Schwann cells. These trophic molecules play an important role on neuronal survival either during the development or during adult life. Cytokines have also a pivotal role on neuronal regeneration after lesions occurring during pathological conditions. The aim of this work was to study the effect of sciatic conditioned medium (SCM) on rat retinal cells maintained in culture. Our results show that treatment with SCM obtained after 14 days in vitro (SCM 14 day) induced a three‐fold increase in protein content of the culture after 48 h in vitro and this value remained equally high up to 72 h. This effect was totally blocked either by addition of 30 μM BAPTA‐AM, an intracellular calcium chelator, 15 μM fluorodeoxyuridine, an inhibitor of cell division, or 10 μM genistein (geni) plus 1.25 μM chelerythrine chloride (CC), the two last ones inhibitors of tyrosine kinases and protein kinase C, respectively. SCM induced an increase in [3H]‐choline uptake and [3H]‐thymidine incorporation of retinal cells. SCM also stimulated an increase in cytoplasmic processes outgrowth of retinal cells and survival of retinal ganglion cells. Our results clearly suggest that soluble molecules released by sciatic nerve fragments are able to increase the proliferation and survival of retinal cells in culture.
Prognostic implication of myocardial texture analysis in idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy
Authors: Dağdeviren Bahadir , Akdemir Osman , Eren Mehmet , Bolca Osman , Oğuz Enis , Gürlertop Yekta , Tezel Tuna 
Published: October 2002

AbstractBackground and aim:Abnormal myocardial acoustic properties have been reported in patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (IDC). The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between quantitative ultrasonic textural alterations of myocardium and clinical outcome in IDC.Methods:Baseline clinical and echocardiographic variables were obtained from 28 patients with IDC. By using a videodensitometric approach, quantitative myocardial texture analysis was performed on images obtained from septum and posterior wall (PW). Cyclic variation (CV) index of mean gray level (MGL) was calculated according to the formula: (MGLdiast−MGLsyst)/MGLdiast×100. All patients were followed for an average of 11±5 months for the occurrence of cardiac death or repeated hospitalization due to worsening of heart failure.Results:During follow‐up, 10 patients experienced cardiac events (6 cardiac deaths and 4 heart failure events). The CV indexes of both septum and PW were significantly lower in patients with cardiac events than those of event free patients (6.8±9.6% vs. 13.6±8.2%, P<0.05 and 5.3±6.4% vs.15.7±7.2% P<0.001, respectively). Univariate analysis defined the following variables as predictors of outcome: PW–CV index (χ2‐13.0, P‐0.0003), transmitral E/A ratio (χ2‐12.5, P‐0.0004), symptom status (χ2‐8.7, P‐0.003), and septum‐CV index (χ2‐4.7, P‐0.03). Multivariate stepwise regression analysis showed that the PW–CV index (χ2‐7.5, P‐0.006) and E/A ratio (χ2‐6.5, P‐0.01) were the independent predictors of outcome. The event‐free survival rate of patients with PW–CV index <11% was significantly lower than those with an index ≥11 (35.7% vs. 92.8%, P‐0,001).Conclusion:The assessment of severely depressed CV index provides valuable prognostic information in patients with IDC.
The Heart Failure Journal Club: a review of publications on Heart Failure in the European Heart Journal
Authors: Louis Amala A. 
Published: October 2002

AbstractThis is one of a series of articles reviewing the literature on heart failure from the world's leading cardiovascular journals. All articles published in the European Heart Journal during the year 2000 were identified and those relevant to heart failure were reviewed. This includes all original scientific articles, systematic reviews and key editorials. This may prove a valuable resource for keeping up to date with the literature on heart failure.
Effect of thalidomide on the skeletal muscle in experimental heart failure
Authors: Vescovo Giorgio , Ravara Barbara , Angelini Annalisa , Sandri Marco , Carraro Ugo , Ceconi Claudio , Libera Luciano Dalla 
Published: October 2002

AbstractBackgroundTumour Necrosis Factor α (TNFα) has been shown to contribute to heart failure (CHF) progression.AimsWe have tried to antagonise the detrimental effects of TNFα on skeletal muscle apoptosis, by using thalidomide, a drug that inhibits its biosynthesis.MethodsCHF was induced in 20 rats by injecting monocrotaline, which determines right ventricle (RV) failure. After 2 weeks, when CHF developed, 12 rats were treated with thalidomide 3.5.mg/kg per day for 2 weeks. Eight had saline and served as CHF controls.ResultsThalidomide failed to decrease TNFα and its second messenger sphingosine (SPH), but was able to prevent the shift toward the fast myosin heavy chains. In the Tibialis Anterior muscle of the thalidomide group, the degree of atrophy, the number of apoptotic nuclei and the levels of caspases, were similar to those of the CHF controls.ConclusionsThalidomide, at the doses used in this study, which are the same employed for the treatment of tubercolosis, leprosy, AIDS and cancer in humans, did not lower either TNFα or SPH and only marginally influenced the apoptosis‐induced muscle atrophy. Since other TNFα blockers are under investigation for improving the clinical status of patients with CHF, the present data could be relevant in the design of randomised clinical trials in humans.
Rationale and design of the carvedilol or metoprolol European trial in patients with chronic heart failure: COMET
Authors: Poole‐Wilson Philip A. , Cleland John G.F. , Di Lenarda Andrea , Hanrath Peter , Komajda Michel , Metra Marco , Remme Willem J. , Swedberg Karl , Torp‐Pedersen Christian 
Published: October 2002

AbstractIn large clinical trials both carvedilol and metoprolol have been shown to reduce mortality and morbidity in patients with chronic heart failure. Carvedilol is an adrenoceptor antagonist, which inhibits beta1‐, beta2‐, and alpha1‐adrenergic receptors. Carvedilol has additional metabolic and antioxidant properties. Metoprolol is a selective antagonist of beta1‐adrenergic receptors. The carvedilol or metoprolol European trial (COMET) is the first study to investigate whether beta‐blocking agents with differing pharmacological profiles exert different effects on morbidity and mortality in patients with chronic heart failure. 3029 patients from 15 different European countries were enrolled into COMET and will be followed until 1020 fatal events have been observed, unless the data and safety monitoring committee (DSMC) recommends early termination. The target dose for carvedilol is 25 mg bid and for metoprolol tartrate 50 mg bid. This manuscript outlines the rationale, design and possible outcomes of COMET.
The effect of carvedilol in patients with impaired left ventricular systolic function following an acute myocardial infarction
Authors: Otterstad Jan Erik , Ford Ian 
Published: October 2002

AbstractIn previous beta‐blocker trials, post‐myocardial infarction (MI) patients were essentially treated with a beta‐blocker or placebo. In the CAPRICORN trial, patients were selected on the basis of a left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (EF) <40% following the index MI and randomised to carvedilol or placebo, in addition to modern secondary prophylaxis with ACE inhibitors, aspirin and statins. In 1959 patients with a mean LVEF of 33%, treatment with carvedilol over a mean follow‐up period of 15 months reduced total mortality from 15.3% with placebo to 11.9% with carvedilol [relative risk reduction (RRR) ‐23%, absolute risk reduction (ARR) ‐3.4%]. The incidence of recurrent MI was reduced from 5.8 to 2.3% (RRR 41%, ARR 2.3%). The number needed to treat (NNT) to prevent one death was 28 for the entire study period and 43 for 1 year of treatment. The results of the CAPRICORN trial are compared with three previous beta‐blocker post‐MI trials: the Gothenburg metoprolol trial (GMT), the Norwegian timolol trial (NTT) and the beta‐blocker heart attack trial (BHAT). The RRRs for total mortality were 36% in the GMT and NTT, and 27% in BHAT. The respective NNTs for total mortality were 32, 18 and 38. NNT for 1 year of treatment was 25 in NTT and 80 in BHAT. The RRR for recurrent MIs were 28% in NTT and 16% in BHAT. The reduction of mortality and recurrent MIs in CAPRICORN is within the range of previous post‐MI beta‐blocker studies. In post‐MI patients with LVEF<40%, add‐on treatment with a beta‐blocker should be given >48 h after initiation with an angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) and then with a slow dose escalation as applied in CAPRICORN.
Kinetic and dynamic studies of liposomal bupivacaine and bupivacaine solution after subcutaneous injection in rats
Authors: Yu Hsiu-Ying , Li Shyh-Dar , Sun Pin 
Published: October 2002

Abstract
The pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of bupivacaine in solution and in liposome preparations following subcutaneous administration were studied in rats. Multilamellar vesicles entrapping bupivacaine solution were prepared. The local anaesthetic effect was estimated by the tail-flick test in Wistar rats treated with 1 mg bupivacaine in 0.2-ml. preparations. Plasma concentrations of bupivacaine were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. The results showed that both bupivacaine solution and bupivacaine liposomes revealed local anaesthetic effects in the initial tail-flick test (15 min after injection). With bupivacaine liposomes, the duration of action was 5-fold (447 ± 28.9 vs 87 ± 6.7 min), the maximum possible effect was 2-fold (100 ± 0 vs 47.6 ± 13%), and the peak plasma concentration (Cmax) was less than one-fifth (0.12 ± 0.04 vs 0.65 ± 0.04 μg mL−1) that with bupivacaine solution. The sensory block effect of bupivacaine solution completely resolved at 90 min, while the plasma concentration of bupivacaine was still more than half the Cmax. Bupivacaine liposomes resulted in a low and relatively constant plasma level (approx. 0.1 μg mL−1) and a pronounced local anaesthetic effect throughout the experimental period (&gt; 7 h). In conclusion, bupivacaine liposomes elevated the intensity and prolonged the duration of the local anaesthetic effect of bupivacaine, and suppressed the systemic absorption rate of encapsulated bupivacaine.
Rapid determination of vitamin C by NIR, MIR and FT-Raman techniques
Authors: Yang Hong , Irudayaraj Joseph 
Published: October 2002

Abstract
Rapid spectroscopic determination of vitamin C in food and pharmaceutical products using infrared and Raman techniques was proposed. In this study, near-infrared (NIR), Fourier transform near-infrared (FT-NIR), Fourier transform infrared-attenuated total reflectance (FTIR-ATR), diffuse reflectance (DRIFTS), Fourier transform infrared-photoacoustic (FTIR-PAS) and FT-Raman spectroscopy were used in conjunction with partial least squares (PLS) regression to quantify vitamin C in powdered mixtures and solutions. Results indicate that the methods adopted have high prediction correlation. R2 values were 0.999 for FTIR-ATR, 0.976 for DRIFTS, 0.966 for FTIR-PAS, 0.988 for NIR, 0.992 for FT-NIR and 0.95 for FT-Raman, with an overall prediction error of 0.2–3.0%. The time required to complete an experiment ranged from 5 s (NIR) to 3 min (FT-Raman). The FTIR and FT-Raman techniques can be complementary tools for qualitative and quantitative characterization of the samples. Infrared and Raman techniques can be used to quantify vitamin C in foods and pharmaceutical products.
Uptake of cyclic dipeptide by PEPT1 in Caco-2 cells: phenolic hydroxyl group of substrate enhances affinity for PEPT1
Authors: Mizuma Takashi , Narasaka Takuo , Awazu Shoji 
Published: October 2002

Abstract
Uptake of cyclic dipeptides by H+/oligopeptide cotransporter (PEPT1) was studied in monolayers of the human intestinal cell line, Caco-2. The cyclic dipeptides studied were cyclic glycylphenylalanine (cyclo(Gly-Phe)), cyclic phenylalanylserine (cyclo(Phe-Ser)), cyclic seryltyrosine (cyclo(Ser-Tyr)) and cyclic glycyltyrosine (cyclo(Gly-Tyr)). These molecules have both peptide bonds and aromatic rings, and are similar in structure to cephalexin and cephadroxil, which are transported by PEPT1. Cellular uptake of these cyclic dipeptides was pH dependent, and was inhibited by the addition of PEPT1 substrates such as glycylsarcosine, indicating PEPT1-mediated transport. Michaelis constants (Km) for these cyclic dipeptides were cyclo(Ser-Tyr) &lt; cyclo(Phe-Ser), and cyclo(Gly-Tyr) &lt; cyclo(Gly-Phe), indicating that tyrosine possessing phenol moiety has higher affinity for PEPT1 than phenylalanine possessing benzen moiety. The Km for cephadroxil possessing phenol moiety was reportedly lower than that for cephalexin possessing benzen moiety. Therefore, it was concluded that the phenolic hydroxyl group of the substrate may enhance affinity for PEPT1.
PC cluster parallel finite element analysis of sloshing problem by earthquake using different network environments
Authors: Kashiyama Kazuo , Tanaka Seizo , Sakuraba Masaaki 
Published: October 2002

AbstractThis paper presents a parallel finite element method for the analysis of the sloshing problem caused by earthquakes. The incompressible Navier–Stokes equation based on Arbitrary Lagrangian–Eulerian description is used as the governing equation. The SUPG/PSPG formulation is employed to improve the numerical stability and the accuracy. Parallel implementation of the unstructured grid based formulation was carried out on a PC cluster. The present method was applied to analyse the sloshing problem of a rectangular tank and an actual reservoir. The effect of parallelization on the efficiency of the computations was examined using a number of different network environments. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A priori pivoting in solving the Navier–Stokes equations
Authors: Wille S. Ø. , Loula A. F. D. 
Published: October 2002

AbstractMixed finite element formulations of incompressible Navier–Stokes Equations leads to non‐positive definite algebraic systems inappropriate for iterative solution techniques. However, introducing a suitable preconditioner, the mixed finite element equation system becomes positive definite and solvable by iterative techniques. The present work suggests a priori pivoting sequences for parallel and serial implementations of incomplete Gaussian factorization. Tests are performed for the driven cavity problem in two and three dimensions. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Self designing structures: a new evolutionary rule for thickness distribution in 2D problems
Authors: Marckmann G. , Bettess P. , Peseux B. 
Published: October 2002

AbstractThis paper deals with an evolutionary rule for material distribution in topology optimization problems. This rule is determined in order to satisfy the design constraints that can appear in an industrial design problem. Some other topology optimization techniques are presented before describing our scheme. The classical MBB problem is used to illustrate the capabilities of our approach. The influences of a design parameter and the mesh refinement are discussed. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Studies on biodegradation of phenol using response surface methodology
Authors: Sheeja R Y , Murugesan T 
Published: October 2002

AbstractBiodegradation of phenol was studied using Pseudomonas pictorum (NCIM 2077) immobilized on alginate and activated carbon – alginate beads. Control experiments were also performed using free cells and non‐inoculated activated carbon – alginate beads. The entrapped alginate and activated carbon – alginate beads suffer from a concentration gradient for oxygen in the interior of the beads and hence free cells showed better degradation at lower concentrations of phenol. The results on entrapped alginate beads were modeled using response surface methodology which determines the dependency of the maximum percentage of phenol degraded as a function of the independent variables, namely initial phenol concentration, initial pH, temperature, and diameter of the immobilized beads. The predicted values are in close agreement with the experimental values with the coefficient of correlation equal to 0.9999 and 0.9993 for both P pictorum – alginate beads and activated carbon – P pictorum – alginate beads respectively.© 2002 Society of Chemical Industry
Selective recovery of silver ions from aqueous solutions using modified silica beads with Adogen 364
Authors: Lee Wonyoung , Kim Changmook , Yi Jongheop 
Published: October 2002

AbstractIn this work, a method to prepare new adsorbents for the recovery of silver ions was studied. Cheap silica beads for industrial use were obtained and silanized with dichlorodimethylsilane after pretreatment with hot water to increase the silanol contents, followed by immobilization of Adogen 364 (a mixture of trialkyl tertiary amines, Witco Co), a commercial solvent extractant that has a good affinity with silver ions. This sample, designated as K2WDA, was proven to be effective for the adsorption of silver ions from aqueous solutions with fast adsorption rates where sodium nitrate was added as a complexation agent to increase the adsorption capacity of the basic extractant. The adsorption capacity of K2WDA at pH 5 was 0.125 mmol g−1 and corresponded to the proposed mechanism that silver ions adsorb on the functional group with a 1:1 molecular ratio. Selectivity for silver ions in synthetic plating wastewater containing Cu2+ and Ni2+ ions was excellent due to thermodynamic stability. In addition, 80% of the silver ions adsorbed could be recovered with sodium thiosulfate solution rather than acids and the solution was concentrated more than 10 times compared with the original solution. For practical application, a semi‐batch reactor was considered and numerical modeling was performed.© 2002 Society of Chemical Industry