bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The SSX gene family: Characterization of 9 complete genes
Authors: Güre Ali O. , Wei Isaac J. , Old Lloyd J. , Chen Yao‐Tseng 
Published: October 2002

AbstractHuman SSX genes comprise a gene family with 6 known members. SSX1, 2 and 4 have been found to be involved in the t(X;18) translocation characteristically found in all synovial sarcomas. Four (SSX1, 2, 4 and 5) are known to be expressed in a subset of tumors and testis, and anti‐SSX antibodies have been found in sera from cancer patients. SSX antigens are thus typical cancer‐testis (CT) antigens. To identify additional SSX family members, we isolated and characterized human genomic clones homologous to a prototype SSX cDNA. We also searched public databases for sequences similar to SSX. This identified 3 additional SSX genes, SSX7, 8, 9, and also completed the sequence of the formerly partially defined SSX6 gene. In addition to these novel SSX genes, several SSX pseudogenes were identified. With the exception of 1 pseudogene, all SSX genomic SSX sequences map to chromosome X. Among normal tissues, SSX7 mRNA was present only in testis, whereas SSX6, 8 and 9 were not detected in any normal tissue. SSX6 and 7 were expressed in 1 of 9 melanoma cell lines tested, whereas SSX8 and 9 expression was not detected in any tumor tissue or cell lines tested. SSX1, 2, 4 and 5 mRNA expression can be induced in cell lines by 5‐aza‐2‐deoxycytidine or Trichostatin A. These agents also induce SSX6, but not SSX3, 7, 8 or 9 in the tumor cell lines tested, indicating that mechanisms other than methylation or histone acetylation may be responsible for the repressed state of some SSX genes. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption and subsequent gastric cancer risk by subsite and histologic type
Authors: Sasazuki Shizuka , Sasaki Satoshi , Tsugane Shoichiro ,   Japanese Public Health Center Study Group
Published: October 2002

AbstractThe effect of cigarette smoking or alcohol consumption on the risk of gastric cancer has not been clarified. We investigated this relationship, considering the anatomic subsite and histologic type of gastric cancer. A total of 19,657 men (aged 40–59 years at baseline), who responded to the baseline questionnaire and reported no serious illness at that time, were followed for 10 years, from January 1990 to December 1999. Gastric cancer was confirmed histologically in 293 men. Smoking was associated with an increased risk of the differentiated type of distal gastric cancer; compared to the group who never smoked, the adjusted rate ratios (RRs) of gastric cancer for past and current smokers were 2.0 (95% CI 1.1–3.7) and 2.1 (95% CI 1.2–3.6), respectively. No association was observed between cigarette smoking and risk of the undifferentiated type of distal gastric cancer except for a suggestive association with cardia cancer. For alcohol consumption, elevated risk was suggested only for cardia cancer of all histologic types, though the relationship failed to reach significance. Among those who drank alcohol at least once per week, RRs for ethanol intake of 2.7–161.0, 162.0–322.0 and 322.5+ g/week compared to those who drank 0–3 times/month were 2.5 (95% CI 0.7–9.5), 3.3 (0.9–11.6) and 3.0 (0.8–11.1), respectively (ptrend = 0.66). In conclusion, our results confirm that smoking is related to gastric cancer of the differentiated type. Further studies with more cases are needed to detect a positive association between cigarette smoking or alcohol consumption and cardia cancer. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Calibrated histochemistry applied to oxygen supply and demand in hypertrophied rat myocardium
Authors: Des Tombe A.L. , Van Beek‐Harmsen B.J. , Lee‐De Groot M.B.E. , Van Der Laarse W.J. 
Published: October 2002

AbstractOxygen supply and demand of individual cardiomyocytes during the development of myocardial hypertrophy is studied using calibrated histochemical methods. An oxygen diffusion model is used to calculate the critical extracellular oxygen tension (PO2,crit) required by cardiomyocytes to prevent hypoxia during hypertrophic growth, and determinants of PO2,crit are estimated using calibrated histochemical methods for succinate dehydrogenase activity, cardiomyocyte cross‐sectional area, and myoglobin concentration. The model calculation demonstrates that it is essential to calibrate the histochemical methods, so that absolute values for the relevant parameters are obtained. The succinate dehydrogenase activity, which is proportional to the maximum rate of oxygen consumption, and the myoglobin concentration hardly change while the cardiomyocytes grow. The cross‐sectional area of the cardiomyocytes, which increases up to threefold in the right ventricular wall due to pulmonary hypertension in monocrotaline‐treated rats, is the most important determinant of PO2,crit in this model of myocardial hypertrophy. The relationship between oxygen supply and demand at the level of the cardiomyocyte can be investigated using paired determinations of spatially integrated succinate dehydrogenase activity and capillary density. Hypoxia‐inducible factor 1α can be demonstrated by immunohistochemistry in cardiomyocytes with high PO2,crit and increased spatially integrated succinate dehydrogenase activity, indicating that limited oxygen supply affects gene expression in these cells. We conclude that a mismatch of oxygen supply and demand may develop during hypertrophic growth, which can play a role in the transition from myocardial hypertrophy to heart failure. Microsc. Res. Tech. 58:412–420, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Cell death and differentiation in the development of the endocardial cushion of the embryonic heart
Authors: Abdelwahid Eltyeb , Pelliniemi Lauri J. , Jokinen Eero 
Published: October 2002

AbstractThe transformation of the endocardial cushion into valves and septa is a critical step in cardiac morphogenesis as it initiates the development of the four‐chambered heart. This transformation results from a region‐specific balance between cellular proliferation, apoptosis, and differentiation. The development of the form and structure of the endocardial cushion is accompanied by precise patterns of abundant cell death having the morphological features of programmed cell death (apoptosis), which plays an important role in the elimination of redundant cells and in changes of phenotypic composition during histogenesis. Apoptosis is an essential process in morphogenesis as it balances mitosis in renewing tissues. It is controlled by one or more genetic programs that kill the targeted cell. However, the causes, role, and regulation of apoptosis in the developing endocardial cushion still remain to be determined. The clarification of the role of the apoptosis regulatory genes constitutes a major task in future studies of cell death in the developing heart. This new molecular histology of heart development awaits further experiments to clarify the interactive mechanisms that act to ensure the sculpting of the endocardial cushion into valves and septa by determining the size of the cushion cell populations. The relation between the expression of different factors and the modifications of the cushion region during cardiac development are reviewed. In addition, we review and summarize information on molecules identified in our experiments that imply the activity of a number of essential genes coinciding with the key steps in generating the overall architecture of the heart. We correlate their temporal and spatial expression with their proposed roles. Microsc. Res. Tech. 58:395–403, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Production of helper‐dependent adenovirus vector relies on helper virus structure and complementing
Authors: Zhou Heshan Sam , Zhao Tiejun , Rao X. Mei , Beaudet Arthur L. 
Published: October 2002

AbstractBackgroundThe helper‐dependent (HD) adenoviral (Ad) vector relies on a helper virus to provide viral proteins for vector amplification. HD‐Ad vectors can significantly increase therapeutic gene expression and improve safety. However, the yield of an HD‐Ad vector is generally lower than that of an E1‐deleted first‐generation vector, likely due to the alterations in viral E3 or packaging regions of a helper virus that attenuate its replication and complementing for an HD‐Ad vector.MethodsTo study this question and improve HD‐Ad vector production, we have generated four different helper viruses with a wild‐type or deleted E3 region, and with a relocated loxP. We have also constructed a first‐generation vector with a wild‐type E3 region and without the loxP site. We compared the replication of these viruses in Cre‐positive and ‐negative cells and studied their complementing for HD‐Ad vector production.ResultsViruses with deleted E3 formed smaller plaques and produced lower titer compared with viruses containing the E3 region. The site where a loxP is inserted can also affect virus replication. Higher yield of HD‐Ad vector was obtained when a helper virus with wild‐type E3 was used. We also showed that deletion of the packaging signal in a helper virus through loxP/Cre interaction decreased the viral DNA complementing ability.ConclusionsAlthough the E3 region is not essential for adenovirus replication in vivo, deletion of this region attenuates virus replication. Production of HD‐Ad vector can be further improved by modifications in helper virus structure. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Diamond laser scalpel vs. steel scalpel: A side by side comparison of cutaneous wound healing
Authors: Keel Douglas M. , Goldman Mitchel P. , Fitzpatrick Richard E. , Butterwick Kimberly J. 
Published: October 2002

AbstractBackground and ObjectivesTo compare the cutaneous wound healing using the diamond laser scalpel with wound healing using a steel scalpel and electrocoagulation for hemostasis.Study Design/Materials and MethodsA prospective and randomized, comparative trial was conducted on eighteen patients. Fusiform excisions were performed using the diamond laser scalpel on one half of each excision and a steel scalpel with electrocoagulation for hemostasis on the other half. The Clinicon SureBlade diamond laser scalpel was used with the Luxar CO2 attachment at the 6–8‐W settings. Blinded assessment of adverse events and photographs were taken at 1 day, 7–10 days, 4 weeks, and 8–12 weeks. The final scar was evaluated at 8–12 weeks for cosmetic outcome and three physicians blinded to the method of excision evaluated photographs of the wounds. Histologic evaluation was performed on all excisions for collateral thermal damage.ResultsInvestigator assessment showed no statistically significant differences between the diamond laser scalpel side and the steel scalpel side with respect to bleeding, bruising, swelling, pain, dehiscence, or final scar appearance. The mean residual thermal damage was 350.3 μm (95% CI ± 37 μm, P < 0.001). The diamond laser scalpel scored higher on intra‐operative coagulation (P = 0.20) although these differences were not statistically significant.ConclusionsThe cosmetic outcomes of cutaneous excisions performed with the diamond laser scalpel are equivalent to excisions performed with steel scalpels with electrocoagulation for hemostasis. Lasers Surg. Med. 31:41–44, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Area ablation: A new lasing concept provides significantly enhanced acute and long‐term results for treatment of in‐stent restenosis
Authors: Dahm Johannes B. , Kuon Eberhard , Hummel Astrid , Möx Bernhard , Staudt Alexander , Felix Stephan B. 
Published: October 2002

AbstractBackground and ObjectivesDebulking is still a technique of choice for in‐stent restenosis (ISR). Excimer laser debulking has enabled high procedural success with very low complication rates, but has demonstrated markedly heterogeneous results owing to differences in lazing and laser technology, and selected patient populations. Since new area‐ablation technique enables ablation of larger areas than its own device size, we have evaluated their effectiveness and safety in an uncontrolled study.Study Design/Materials and MethodsFifty‐three patients with diffuse ISR were treated by laser area ablation, followed by adjunctive balloon angioplasty. Primary endpoint was percent of binary stenosis at 6‐month follow‐up; secondary endpoints were procedural success; target lesion revascularization (TLR); major adverse cardiac events (MACE); diameter stenosis (DS); and minimal lumen diameter (MLD) before and after laser debulking, and at 6‐month follow‐up.ResultsLaser debulking was feasible (as defined as ≤30% residual stenosis) in 98.1% of patients. At 6‐month follow‐up, binary stenosis was 26.4%; angiographic TLR, 20.7%; and MACE, 3.7%. DS decreased from 87±17% to 20 ± 9% after laser debulking, and to 9±7% after PTCA; it was 29±14% at follow‐up (P‐values in comparison to baseline: 0.0047; 0.0036; 0.0064). MLD increased from 0.6±0.3 to 2.4±0.5 mm after laser debulking, to 2.8± 0.6 mm after adjunctive PTCA, and to 1.9 ± 0.4 mm at follow‐up (P‐values in comparison to baseline: 0.0059; 0.0031; 0.0088).ConclusionsOwing to a significantly greater MLD, area ablation facilitates significantly enhanced immediate and follow‐up results for diffuse ISR, including a simpler and more effective laser‐debulking procedure than former lasing techniques. Lasers Surg. Med. 31:1–8, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Ablation rate and micromorphological aspects with Nd:YAG picosecond pulsed laser on primary teeth
Authors: Lizarelli Rosane de F.Z. , Moriyama Lilian T. , Bagnato Vanderlei S. 
Published: October 2002

AbstractBackground and ObjectivesWe have investigated the fundamental aspects of Nd:YAG laser at the picosecond pulse regime interacting with primary teeth. Because little is present in the literature concerning specific laser ablation for primary teeth with respect to enamel and dentin, this work may open perspectives for new investigations.Study Design/Materials and MethodsUsing a picosecond Nd:YAG laser, different power levels (200, 300, and 350 mW) and different exposition times (5, 10, and 15 seconds) were considered.ResultsMicro‐morphological aspects of the laser‐tooth interaction showed collateral effects in enamel more accentuated than in dentin. Penetration depth in dentin seems to scale up in rate as the time of application progress, for enamel the behavior is the opposite. The overall ablated volume is higher in dentin when compared with enamel, which results in a higher ablated rate as well.ConclusionsSpecific ablation characteristics are observed in either dentin or enamel. Lasers Surg. Med. 31:177–185, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Hepatoblastoma and low birth weight: A trend or chance observation?
Authors: Feusner James , Plaschkes J. 
Published: October 2002

AbstractBackgroundSeveral reports have suggested an association between prematurity and hepatoblastoma (HB).ProcedureData were collected by questionnaires from 105 children with HB enrolled in a Children's Cancer Group (CCG) study.ResultsObserved over expected rates were increased about 2− and 15+‐fold for prematurity (<37 weeks at birth) and low birth weight (<1,000 g) respectively. Similar data were derived from a later CCG study of 36 HB children.ConclusionsEarly reports of a possible association between prematurity and HB have been confirmed. Med Pediatr Oncol 2002;39:508–509. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Chromosome condensation in pig oocytes: Lack of a requirement for either cdc2 kinase or MAP kinase activity
Authors: Kubelka Michal , Anger Martin , Kalous Jaroslav , Schultz Richard M. , MotlÍk Jan 
Published: October 2002

AbstractIn this study, butyrolactone I (BL I), a potent and specific inhibitor of cyclin‐dependent kinases (cdk), is shown to inhibit germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) in pig oocytes. Oocytes treated with 100 μM BL I were arrested in the germinal vesicle (GV)‐stage and displayed low activity of cdc2 kinase and MAP kinase. Nevertheless, chromosome condensation occurred and highly condensed bivalents were seen within an intact GV after a 24‐hr culture in the presence of BL I. The inhibitory effect of BL I on MAP kinase activation during culture was likely mediated through a cdk‐dependent pathway, since MAP kinase activity present in extracts derived from metaphase II eggs was not inhibited by BL I. The block of GVBD could be released by treating oocytes with okadaic acid (OA), an inhibitor of type 1 and 2A phosphatases; 82% of the oocytes treated with the combination of OA/BL I underwent GVBD, and MAP kinase became activated, while cdc2 kinase remained inhibited. These results suggest that both chromosome condensation and GVBD could occur without activation of cdc2 kinase, whereas an increase in MAP kinase activity may be a requisite for GVBD in pig oocytes in conditions when cdc2 kinase activation is blocked by BL I. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 63: 110–118, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effects of pelvic floor muscle training on strength and predictors of response in the treatment of urinary incontinence
Authors: Theofrastous J.P. , Wyman J.F. , Bump R.C. , McClish D.K. , Elser D.M. , Bland D.R. , Fantl J.A. 
Published: October 2002

AbstractAimsThe objectives of this study were (1) to determine the effect of training on pelvic floor muscle strength; (2) to determine whether changes in pelvic floor muscle strength correlate with changes in continence; and (3) to determine whether demographic characteristics, clinical incontinence severity indices, or urodynamic measures predict response to pelvic floor muscle training.MethodsOne hundred thirty‐four women with urinary incontinence (95=genuine stress incontinence [GSI]; 19=detrusor instability [DI]; 20=mixed incontinence [GSI+DI]) were randomized to pelvic floor muscle training (n=67) or bladder training (n=67). Urinary diaries, urodynamic evaluation, and vaginal pressure measurements by using balloon manometry were performed at baseline and after 12 weeks of therapy. Primary outcome measures consisted of incontinent episodes per week and vaginal pressure measurements.ResultsBoth treatment groups had a reduction in incontinent episodes (P≤0.004). Vaginal pressures increased more with pelvic floor muscle training than with bladder training (P=0.0003). Other than a weak correlation between a reduction in incontinent episodes/week and an increase in maximum sustained vaginal pressure in women with GSI (r=0.32, P=0.04), there were no significant correlations between increases in pelvic floor muscle strength and improvement in continence status. There were no significant correlations between baseline demographic characteristics, clinical incontinence severity, or urodynamic measures and increases in vaginal pressure or improvement in clinical severity after pelvic floor muscle training.ConclusionsPelvic floor muscle training improves continence and increases vaginal pressure measurements, but the direct correlations between these alterations are weak. A woman's response to behavioral treatment does not depend on her demographic characteristics, clinical incontinence severity, urodynamic measures, or initial pelvic floor muscle strength. Neurourol. Urodynam. 21:486–490, 2002. © Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Compliance with recommendations of the urodynamic society for standards of efficacy for evaluation of treatment outcomes in urinary incontinence
Authors: Lee Robert S. , DeAntoni Edward , Daneshgari Firouz 
Published: October 2002

AbstractThe Urodynamic Society (US) published (1997) minimal standards to assess the efficacy of therapy for urinary incontinence (UI). The standards were developed by a US committee and were approved by the American Urological Society. The objective of our study was to evaluate compliance with these standards in recent UI research studies. A MEDLINE search was conducted for all articles in which outcomes of treatment for UI were reported (November, 1997–October, 1999). Reported data were compared with the recommended minimum standards including pre‐ and posttreatment data. Compliance rates for each data field were calculated by percentages for (1) the individual article and (2) overall compliance rate among all articles. A total of 39 articles that reported treatment for UI were selected. The treatments included various surgical procedures, injectables, pharmacologic treatments, and mechanical valves. Overall compliance for each article varied between 0% and 100%. Only one article met all 100% of the recommendations and one met none. The overall mean compliance rate for each article was 29%. We conclude that there is far less than optimal reporting of outcomes for treatment of UI per the recommendations of the Urodynamic Society. This low compliance makes standardized evaluation of treatment outcomes of UI difficult if not impossible. We suggest that initiation of funded cooperative clinical trials may improve the standardization in UI. Neurourol. Urodynam. 21:482–485, 2002. © Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The application of an artificial neural network in the identification of medicinal rhubarbs by near‐infrared spectroscopy
Authors: Xiang Lan , Fan Guoqiang , Li Junhui , Kang Hui , Yan Yanlu , Zheng Junhua , Guo Dean 
Published: October 2002

AbstractThis paper describes a method to combine near‐infrared spectroscopy and a three layer back‐propagation artificial neural network in order to identify official and unofficial rhubarbs. Thirty‐three samples were taken as the training set, and 62 samples as the test set. The effects of input node number, learning rate and momentum on the final error and recognition accuracy for the training set, and on prediction accuracy for the test set were determined. A neural network with eight input nodes, a 0.5 learning rate, and a momentum of 0.3 can achieve a recognition accuracy of 100% for the training set and a prediction accuracy of 96.8% for the test set. The method described offers a quick and efficient means of identifying rhubarbs. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The effects of interactive music therapy on hospitalized children with cancer: a pilot study
Authors: Barrera Maru E. , Rykov Mary H. , Doyle Sandra L. 
Published: October 2002

AbstractBackground. The use of music therapy with children in health settings has been documented, but its effectiveness has not yet been well established. This pilot study is a preliminary exploration of the effectiveness of interactive music therapy in reducing anxiety and increasing the comfort of hospitalized children with cancer.Methods. Pre‐ and post‐music therapy measures were obtained from children (N=65) and parents. The measures consisted of children's ratings of mood using schematic faces, parental ratings of the child's play performance, and satisfaction questionnaires completed by parents, children and staff.Results. There was a significant improvement in children's ratings of their feelings from pre‐ to post‐music therapy. Parents perceived an improved play performance after music therapy in pre‐schoolers and adolescents but not in school‐aged children. Qualitative analyses of children's and parents' comments suggested a positive impact of music therapy on the child's well‐being.Conclusions. These preliminary findings are encouraging and suggest beneficial effects of interactive music therapy with hospitalized pediatric hematology/oncology patients. In future studies replicating these findings should be conducted in a randomized control trial. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.