bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Vulvar melanoma
Authors: de Hullu Joanne A. , Hollema Harry , Hoekstra Harald J. , Piers Do A. , Mourits Marian J. E. , Aalders Jan G. , van der Zee Ate G. J. 
Published: August 2002

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe objective of this study was to evaluate the author's recent, preliminary experience with the sentinel lymph node procedure in patients with vulvar melanoma and to compare this experience with treatment and follow‐up of patients with vulvar melanomas who were treated previously at their institution.METHODSFrom 1997, sentinel lymph node procedure with the combined technique (99mTechnetium‐labeled nanocolloid and Patente Blue‐V) was performed as a standard staging procedure for patients with vulvar melanoma with a thickness > 1 mm and no clinically suspicious inguinofemoral lymph nodes. For the current study, clinicopathologic data from all 33 patients with vulvar melanoma who were treated between 1978 and 2000 at the University Hospital Groningen were reviewed and analyzed.RESULTSFrom January 1997 until December 2000, identification of sentinel lymph nodes was successful in all nine patients who were referred for treatment of vulvar melanoma. Three patients underwent subsequent complete inguinofemoral lymphadenectomy because of metastatic sentinel lymph nodes. In follow‐up, groin recurrences (in‐transit metastases) occurred in two of nine patients, both 12 months after primary treatment. Both patients had melanomas with a thickness > 4 mm and previously had negative sentinel lymph nodes. There was a trend toward more frequent groin recurrences in patients after undergoing the sentinel lymph node procedure (2 of 9 patients) compared with 24 historic control patients (0 of 24 patients; P = 0.06). Five of 33 patients developed local recurrences: Two patients had groin recurrences, and 11 patients developed distant metastases. Twelve patients died of vulvar melanoma. Seventeen patients with a median follow‐up of 66 months (range, 9–123 months) are currently alive (overall survival rate, 52%).CONCLUSIONSAlthough the numbers were small, this study showed that the sentinel lymph node procedure is capable of identifying patients who have occult lymph node metastases and who may benefit from lymphadenectomy for locoregional control and prevention of distant metastases. However, the data also suggest that the sentinel lymph node procedure may increase the risk of locoregional recurrences (in‐transit metastases), especially in patients with thick melanomas. The potential role of the sentinel lymph node procedure as an alternative method of lymph node staging in patients with vulvar melanoma needs further investigation only within the protection of clinical trials and probably should be restricted to patients with melanomas with intermediate thickness (1–4 mm). Cancer 2002;94:486–91. © 2002 American Cancer Society.
Episodic (breakthrough) pain
Authors: Mercadante Sebastiano , Radbruch Lukas , Caraceni Augusto , Cherny Nathan , Kaasa Stein , Nauck Friedemann , Ripamonti Carla , De Conno Franco ,   Steering Committee of the European Association for Palliative Care (EAPC) Research Network
Published: August 2002

AbstractBACKGROUNDBreakthrough pain is transitory exacerbation of pain that occurs in addition to otherwise stable persistent pain. The wide differences in estimation of incidence reported in literature are probably because of different settings and meanings attributed to the definition of breakthrough pain.METHODSA panel of experts met to establish the actual knowledge on breakthrough pain, according to the evidence in literature and experience. They agreed that episodic or transient pain could be a more simple and adequate term in most languages, including English, French, Italian, and Spanish.RESULTSA specific assessment and precise pain characterization are essential to plan the most appropriate treatments. Despite the relevance of this temporal pain pattern for the influence on the outcome and quality of life, few controlled studies have been performed to give evidence of a specific approach. Several experiences have reported the possible efficacy of different drugs, route of administration, and modalities of administration in different circumstances.CONCLUSIONSProspective studies with previous treatments using similar terminologies are necessary to find the most convenient therapeutic intervention, according to the temporal pattern characteristics and the pain mechanism involved. Cancer 2002;94:832–9. © 2002 American Cancer Society.DOI 10.1002/cncr.10249
Adjuvant chemohormonal therapy of high risk prostate carcinoma
Authors: Bagley Charles M. , Lane Robert F. , Blasko John C. , Grimm Peter D. , Ragde Haakon , Cobb Oliver E. , Rowbotham Ronald K. 
Published: August 2002

AbstractBACKGROUNDPatients with T3 and/or N1 prostate carcinoma have poor cure rates. The authors sought to improve the relapse free, cancer specific survival of these patients by adding chemohormonal therapy to radiation.METHODSTwenty five men with clinical Stage III positive seminal vesicles or positive nodes received six courses of vinblastine, doxorubicin, and mitomycin with simultaneous radiation and permanent androgen deprivation. Prostate specific antigen (PSA) testing was the sole criterion for relapse. Median followup was 10.5 years.RESULTSTreatment was well tolerated. Patients received 91‐95% of each drug and all planned radiation. At 10 years the cumulative relapse free rate determined by continuously undetectable PSA levels was 73%, and the cumulative cancer specific survival was 81%. Of node‐positive patients, 82% were relapse‐free at 10 years.CONCLUSIONSThe addition of chemotherapy to hormonal and radiation therapy is feasible and is accepted by most men when they are openly informed of their prognosis with conventional therapy. Results in the current small series appear excellent and may be superior to radiation plus hormones alone. Larger randomized studies are warranted. Cancer 2002; 94:2728–32. © 2002 American Cancer Society.DOI 10.1002/cncr.10527
Physician factors in the timing of cancer patient referral to hospice palliative care
Authors: Lamont Elizabeth B. , Christakis Nicholas A. 
Published: August 2002

AbstractBACKGROUNDAlthough physicians state that patients ideally should receive hospice care for 3 months before death, the majority of patients survive < 1 month in hospice care. In the current study, the authors attempted to determine whether the attributes of referring physicians were associated with the survival of terminally ill cancer patients in hospice.METHODSUsing a prospective cohort study design, the authors observed the survival of 326 terminally ill cancer patients who were referred by 258 different physicians to 5 outpatient hospice programs in Chicago. The authors evaluated associations between patient, physician, and patient‐physician relationship factors and patient survival.RESULTSOf the 326 participating patients, 313 (96%) had known dates of death. For these patients, the median survival was 26 days. Controlling for patient demographic and disease factors, there were several physician factors found to be associated with the length of patient survival after hospice referral. For example, when a physician had referred ≥ 2 patients to hospice care in the previous 3 months, the patient survived 17 days longer in hospice compared with those patients whose physician referred fewer patients to hospice. When a physician estimated patient survival accurately (estimate obtained at the time of referral), the patient lived 20 days longer in hospice compared with those patients whose physicians made inaccurate survival estimates. The practice specialty of the physician also was found to be associated with patient survival after hospice referral, with patients referred by general internists and geriatricians living 18 days longer in hospice compared with those patients who were referred by oncologists.CONCLUSIONSIn the current study, referring physician factors were found to be associated with the survival of terminally ill cancer patients after referral to hospice. Cancer 2002; 94:2733–7. © 2002 American Cancer Society.DOI 10.1002/cncr.10530
Excitotoxic and metabolic damage to the rodent striatum: Role of the P75 neurotrophin receptor and glial progenitors
Authors: Hanbury Rose , Charles Vinod , Chen Er‐Yun , Leventhal Liza , Rosenstein Jeffrey M. , Mufson Elliott J. , Kordower Jeffrey H. 
Published: August 2002

AbstractAfter injury, the striatum displays several morphologic responses that may play a role in both regenerative and degenerative events. One such response is the de novo expression of the low‐affinity p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR), a gene that plays critical roles in central nervous system (CNS) cell death pathways. The present series of experiments sought to elucidate the cellular origins of this p75NTR response, to define the conditions under which p75NTR is expressed after striatal injury, and how this receptor expression is associated with neuronal plasticity. After chemical lesions, by using either the excitotoxin quinolinic acid (QA) or the complex II mitochondria inhibitor 3‐nitropropionic acid (3‐NP), we compared the expression of the p75NTR receptor within the rat striatum at different survival times. Intrastriatal administration of QA between 7 days and 21 days postlesion induced p75NTR expression in astrocytes that was preferentially distributed throughout the lesion core. P75NTR immunoreactivity within astrocytes was seen at high (100–220 nmol) but not low (50 nmol) QA doses. Seven and 21 days after 3‐NP lesions, p75NTR expression was present in astrocytes at all doses tested (100–1,000 nmol). However, in contrast to QA, these cells were located primarily around the periphery of the lesion and not within the lesion core. At the light microscopic level p75NTR immunoreactive elements resembled vasculature: but did not colocalize with the pan endothelium cell marker RecA‐1. In contrast, p75NTR‐containing astrocytes colocalized with nestin, vimentin, and 5‐bromo‐2‐deoxyuridine, indicating that these cells are newly born astrocytes. Additionally, striatal cholinergic neurons were distributed around the lesion core expressed p75NTR 3–5 days after lesion in both QA and 3‐NP lesions. These cells did not coexpress the pro‐apoptotic degradation enzyme caspase‐3. Taken together, these data indicate that striatal lesions created by means of excitotoxic or metabolic mechanisms trigger the expression of p75NTR in structures related to progenitor cells. The expression of the p75NTR receptor after these chemical lesions support the concept that this receptor plays a role in the initiation of endogenous cellular events associated with CNS injury. J. Comp. Neurol. 444:291–305, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effects of age on the glial cells in the rhesus monkey optic nerve
Authors: Sandell Julie H. , Peters Alan 
Published: August 2002

AbstractThe optic nerve is a circumscribed white matter tract consisting of myelinated nerve fibers and neuroglial cells. Previous work has shown that during normal aging in the rhesus monkey, many optic nerves lose some of their nerve fibers, and in all old optic nerves there are both myelin abnormalities and degenerating nerve fibers. The present study assesses how the neuroglial cell population of the optic nerve is affected by age. To address this question, optic nerves from young (4–10 years) and old (27–33 years) rhesus monkeys were examined by using both light and electron microscopy. It was found that with age the astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and microglia all develop characteristic cytoplasmic inclusions. The astrocytes hypertrophy and fill space vacated by degenerated nerve fibers, and they often develop abundant glial filaments in their processes. Oligodendrocytes and microglial cells both become more numerous with age, and microglial cells often become engorged with phagocytosed debris. Some of the debris can be recognized as degenerating myelin, and in general, the greater the loss of nerve fibers, the more active the microglial cells become. J. Comp. Neurol. 445:13–28, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Corticotropin‐releasing hormone‐synthesizing neurons of the human hypothalamus receive neuropeptide Y‐immunoreactive innervation from neurons residing primarily outside the infundibular nucleus
Authors: Mihály Emese , Fekete Csaba , Lechan Ronald M. , Liposits Zsolt 
Published: August 2002

AbstractImmunohistochemical single‐ and double‐labeling studies were performed on the hypothalami of postmortem human brains to elucidate the distribution of corticotropin‐releasing hormone (CRH)‐immunoreactive (IR) neuronal elements and their interaction with the neuropeptide Y (NPY)‐ergic neuronal system. The great majority of CRH‐IR perikarya were found in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN), whereas a considerable number of CRH‐IR neurons were also observed in the periventricular and infundibular nuclei. The dorsomedial nucleus and the perifornical region contained only scattered CRH‐IR neurons. Dense CRH‐IR fiber networks were found throughout the hypothalamus. However, the medial preoptic, the dorsolateral part of the supraoptic, the suprachiasmatic, the ventromedial, and the different mammillary nuclei showed a relative paucity of fibers. The terminal fields of NPY‐IR axons overlapped the distribution of CRH‐IR neurons in the hypothalamus. NPY‐IR axon varicosities were juxtaposed to both dendrites and perikarya of the majority of CRH‐IR neurons residing in the paraventricular, periventricular, and infundibular nuclei. These neurons were frequently contacted by multiple NPY axons that either formed baskets around their perikarya or completely ensheathed the emanating CRH dendrites. Because NPY and agouti‐related protein (AGRP) are co‐contained in neurons of the human infundibular nucleus, we used AGRP as a marker of NPY fibers originating exclusively from the infundibular nucleus. Only a small proportion of CRH neurons in the PVN was contacted by AGRP‐IR axon varicosities, suggesting that NPY‐IR innervation of CRH neurons in the PVN derive mainly from regions outside the infundibular nucleus. The present morphological findings support the view that NPY regulates the CRH system of the human hypothalamus and therefore at least some of the effects of NPY on metabolic, autonomic, and endocrine functions may be mediated through CRH. J. Comp. Neurol. 446:235–243, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Molecular characterization and cell‐specific expression of a Manduca sexta FLRFamide gene
Authors: Lu Dan , Lee Kyeong‐Yeoll , Horodyski Frank M. , Witten Jane L. 
Published: August 2002

AbstractFMRFamide‐related peptides (FaRPs) are a large group of neuropeptides containing a common RFamide C‐terminus; they have been identified in vertebrates and invertebrates. We have isolated the cDNA that encodes three FaRPs in the tobacco hornworm, Manduca sexta, including the amidated decapeptide F10. The larger FaRPs are the partially processed precursors of F10, a neuropeptide belonging to the myosuppressin family of peptides. The presence of all three FaRPs in different tissues suggests differential utilization of typical dibasic processing sites and atypical processing sites C‐terminal to leucine residues. F10 mRNA was detected in the brain, nerve cord, and midgut, and the mRNA levels in the nervous system are dynamically regulated during development. In situ hybridization analysis localized the F10 mRNA to a variety of cell types within the central nervous system (CNS), a peripheral neurosecretory cell (L1), and midgut endocrine cells, which suggests diverse functions. Distribution of the F10‐containing neurons within the central nervous system is segment‐specific, and the developmental profile suggests that the F10 gene products may have stage‐specific functions. Molecular characterization of the F10 gene has provided insights into its regulation and cell‐specific distribution that will enhance our understanding of how these FaRPs modulate different physiological systems and ultimately behavior. J. Comp. Neurol. 446:377–396, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
GABAA receptor changes in δ subunit‐deficient mice: Altered expression of α4 and γ2 subunits in the forebrain
Authors: Peng Zechun , Hauer Birgit , Mihalek Robert M. , Homanics Gregg E. , Sieghart Werner , Olsen Richard W. , Houser Carolyn R. 
Published: August 2002

AbstractThe δ subunit is a novel subunit of the pentameric γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA)A receptor that conveys special pharmacological and functional properties to recombinant receptors and may be particularly important in mediating tonic inhibition. Mice that lack the δ subunit have been produced by gene‐targeting technology, and these mice were studied with immunohistochemical and immunoblot methods to determine whether changes in GABAA receptors were limited to deletion of the δ subunit or whether alterations in other GABAA receptor subunits were also present in the δ subunit knockout (δ–/–) mice. Immunohistochemical studies of wild‐type mice confirmed the restricted distribution of the δ subunit in the forebrain. Regions with moderate to high levels of δ subunit expression included thalamic relay nuclei, caudate‐putamen, molecular layer of the dentate gyrus, and outer layers of the cerebral cortex. Virtually no δ subunit labeling was evident in adjacent regions, such as the thalamic reticular nucleus, hypothalamus, and globus pallidus. Comparisons of the expression of other subunits in δ–/– and wild‐type mice demonstrated substantial changes in the α4 and γ2 subunits of the GABAA receptor in the δ–/– mice. γ2 Subunit expression was increased, whereas α4 subunit expression was decreased in δ–/– mice. Importantly, alterations of both the α4 and the γ2 subunits were confined primarily to brain regions that normally expressed the δ subunit. This suggests that the additional subunit changes are directly linked to loss of the δ subunit and could reflect local changes in subunit composition and function of GABAA receptors in δ–/– mice. J. Comp. Neurol. 446:179–197, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Differentiation and maturation of zebrafish dorsal root and sympathetic ganglion neurons
Authors: An Min , Luo Rushu , Henion Paul D. 
Published: August 2002

AbstractThe trunk neural crest of vertebrate embryos gives rise to dorsal root ganglion (DRG) sensory neurons and autonomic sympathetic neurons, among other derivatives. We have examined the development of DRG and sympathetic neurons during development in the zebrafish. We found that sensory neurons differentiate rapidly and that their overt neuronal differentiation significantly precedes that of sympathetic neurons in the trunk. Sympathetic neurons in different regions differentiate at different times. The most rostral population, which we call the cervical ganglion, differentiates several days before trunk sympathetic neurons. After undergoing overt neuronal differentiation, sympathetic neurons subsequently express the adrenergic differentiation markers dopamine β‐hydroxylase and tyrosine hydroxylase. A second population of adrenergic nonneuronal cells initially localized with cervical sympathetic neurons appears to represent adrenal chromaffin cells. In more mature fish, these cells were present in clusters within the kidneys. Individual DRG and sympathetic ganglia initially contain few neurons. However, the number of neurons in DRG and sympathetic ganglia increases continuously at least up to 4 weeks of age. Analysis of phosphohistone H3 expression and bromodeoxyuridine incorporation studies suggests that the increases in DRG and sympathetic ganglion neuronal cell number are due wholly or in part to the division of neuronal cells within the ganglia. J. Comp. Neurol. 446:267–275, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Firing features and potassium channel content of murine spiral ganglion neurons vary with cochlear location
Authors: Adamson Crista L. , Reid Michael A. , Mo Zun‐Li , Bowne‐English Janet , Davis Robin L. 
Published: August 2002

AbstractNeurons from varied regions of the central nervous system can show widely divergent responses to electrical stimuli that are determined by cell‐specific differences in ion channel composition. The well‐ordered and highly characterized peripheral auditory system allows one to explore the significance of this diversity during the final stages of postnatal development. We examined the electrophysiological features of murine spiral ganglion neurons in vitro at a time when recordings could be made from the cell bodies before myelination. These cells carry information about sound stimuli from hair cell receptors in the basilar membrane and are arranged tonotopically. Spiral ganglion neuron responses to depolarizing current injection were assessed with whole‐cell current clamp recordings from cells that were isolated separately from the apical and basal thirds of the mouse cochlea. These cells displayed systematic variation in their firing. Apex neurons (low frequency coding) showed longer latency, slowly adapting responses, whereas base neurons (high frequency coding) showed short latency, rapidly adapting responses to the same stimuli. This physiological diversity was mirrored by regional differences in ion channel content assessed immunohistochemically. Apex neurons had a preponderance of Kv4.2 subunits, whereas base neurons possessed greater levels of KCa, Kv1.1, and Kv3.1 subunits. Taken together, these results indicate that the distribution of a set of voltage‐gated potassium channels may relate specifically to a particular range of coding frequencies. These studies also suggest that intrinsic properties of spiral ganglion neurons can contribute to the characteristic responses of the peripheral auditory system. Their potential role in development and adult function is discussed. J. Comp. Neurol. 447:331–350, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Retina of Bouton's skink (reptilia, scincidae): Visual cells, fovea, and ecological constraints
Authors: Röll Beate 
Published: August 2002

AbstractBouton's skink, Cryptoblepharus boutonii africanus, is a small, diurnal lizard living on outcrops along the coast of East Africa under high ambient light intensities. It is characterized by relatively large eyes (maximal diameter about 2 mm), with immovable eyelids forming a transparent spectacle and with a virtually constant pupil diameter. The single fovea in the central retina is well developed, with a clearly defined pit, which is relatively deep but not funnel‐shaped. The foveal pit is not devoid of the outer nuclear and outer plexiform layers; only the main part of the inner nuclear layer is displaced laterally, resulting in a pit with gradual sloping towards its edges. Thus, the fovea appears to be concaviclivate, as in the eyes of lacertids, varanids, and gekkonids. The central position of the foveae in these laterally placed scincid eyes corresponds with monocular fixation, e.g., of detected prey. C. boutonii has a pure‐cone retina containing single and double visual cells. The latter consist of two cells of unequal sizes. Yellowish oil droplets are present in single cones and the minor members of the double cones in all retinal regions. The visual cells of the different retinal regions do not differ in the ultrastructure of their components but differ considerably in size. The outer segments of the foveal cones are twice as long as those of the peripheral cones. Except for the pedicles, the diameters of the components of the visual cells decrease towards the fovea, resulting in an increase in visual acuity. J. Comp. Neurol. 436:487–496, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.