bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A demographic study of the clinical significance of minimal residual disease in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Authors: Levett D. , Middleton P. , Cole M. , Reid M.M. 
Published: August 2002

AbstractBackgroundMinimal residual disease (MRD) detected during remission might predict outcome in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. No population‐based studies have been carried out. We studied all children with ALL presenting over 5 years within a defined population to determine its clinical importance.ProcedurePatients were investigated for the presence of unique clonal rearrangements of IgH and T‐cell receptor genes. Unique patient specific probes were used to detect, by polymerase chain reaction, the presence of clonal markers indicating MRD in mononuclear cells obtained from marrow samples at 1, 3, 5, and 24 months. The effect of MRD on event‐free survival was determined.ResultsSeventy‐seven of 120 children with ALL had informative markers and samples of remission marrow suitable for testing. Presence or absence of MRD did not significantly affect outcome. Gender (P < 0.04) and white cell count (P < 0.04) were independent prognostic factors. Analysis of only those cases with detectable MRD showed that cases with one blast per 100 mononuclear cells, or more, 28 days after starting treatment did worse than those with lower levels (hazard ratio 7.77, P < 0.02).ConclusionsMere presence or absence of MRD is probably too crude a measure to be useful and worse than other standard prognostic indicators. A threshold of 10−2 blasts at 28 days might be discriminatory, but should not be over‐interpreted. The number of patients available for this analysis (31) was small, the threshold and sampling points were arbitrary and any effects could be treatment regimen‐specific. Large prospective studies are needed. Med. Pediatr. Oncol. 36:365–371, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Echocardiographic evaluation of patients cured of childhood cancer: A single center study of 117 subjects who received anthracyclines
Authors: Bossi Grazia , Lanzarini Luca , Laudisa Maria Luisa , Klersy Catherine , Raisaro Arturo , Aricò Maurizio 
Published: August 2002

AbstractBackgroundThe risk of cardiomyopathy following exposure to anthracycline in asymptomatic long‐term survivors of childhood cancer is still hard to predict and precisely quantify. To identify the impact of different cumulative doses, even within a non‐high dose range, and the echocardiographic parameters suitable for evaluating cardiac function, we studied diastolic and systolic echocardiographic parameters in a cohort of patients followed in a single center.ProcedureA total of 117 subjects were studied at a median time of 7 years after treatment completion. A complete M‐mode, two‐dimensional and Doppler echocardiographic study was obtained at rest in all patients according to the standard recommendations of the American Society of Echocardiography.ResultsNinety‐nine patients (85%) had completely normal cardiac function, while 18 had abnormal echocardiographic findings: 12 had one abnormal value, 5 had two, and 1 had three abnormal values. All the changes were in left ventricular dimensions, wall thickness or indices of systolic function; no alterations in left ventricular diastolic function parameters were found. None of the echocardiographic parameters correlated significantly with the cumulative dose of anthracyclines administered either at univariate analysis or after adjusting for sex, body surface area or considered risk factors.ConclusionsSubjects exposed to a median cumulative dose of 214 mg/m2 had no echographic abnormalities a median of 7 years later. We did not find any correlation between cumulative anthracycline dose and the echocardiographic parameters tested. We now offer echocardiographic follow‐up to patients with mildly reduced fractional shortening and/or ejection fraction to rule out late onset dysfunction. Med. Pediatr. Oncol. 36:593–600, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
RB1 genetic testing as a clinical service: A follow‐up study
Authors: Cohen Jennifer G. , Dryja Thaddeus P. , Davis Katherine B. , Diller Lisa R. , Li Frederick P. 
Published: August 2002

AbstractBackgroundGenetic testing for inherited predisposition to diverse cancers has recently become available as a clinical service. We conducted a follow‐up study of the initial series of US families who underwent RB1 genetic testing to evaluate long‐term effects of the service.ProcedureWe enrolled 52 of 71 eligible families who responded to a follow‐up study questionnaire administered 3–10 years after receipt of their RB1 results. Each family had one proband with unilateral, non‐familial retinoblastoma, which is associated with a 12% pre‐test probability of hereditary retinoblastoma. RB1 testing identified germline RB1 mutations in five patients, lowered the carrier probability to 2% in 21 patients, and did not substantially modify the carrier probability in the remaining 26.ResultsDiverse medical specialists offered and arranged for RB1 testing, and their recommendation was the most influential factor in the decision to be tested. Pre‐test counseling was provided by ophthalmologists (30), oncologists (11), and geneticists and genetic counselors (11). Most respondents, regardless of test result, were satisfied and perceived gains from their genetic testing. Based on small numbers, families with reduced likelihood of hereditary retinoblastoma reported more positive outcomes. Parents of RB1 carriers were more likely to seek medical services, worry, and decide against having more children.ConclusionsThis study demonstrates the feasibility of follow‐up studies of families who had genetic testing. Results from our small series suggest that genetic information and counseling are important components of RB1 clinical genetic testing, and long‐term adverse effects of testing are uncommon. Med Pediatr Oncol 2001;37:372–378. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A phase I study of cranial radiation therapy with concomitant continuous infusion paclitaxel in children with brain tumors
Authors: Liu Li , Vapiwala Neha , Munoz Louis K. , Winick Naomi J. , Weitman Steven , Strauss Lewis C. , Frankel Lawrence S. , Rosenthal David I. 
Published: August 2002

AbstractBackgroundThe prognosis of children with high‐grade astrocytomas of the central nervous system is grim and has not been substantially improved by conventional chemoradiotherapy. We performed a multi‐institutional phase I study to determine the toxicities and tolerance of concurrent external beam radiation of the brain and a unique dose‐schedule of paclitaxel as a radiation sensitizer.ProcedurePaclitaxel was delivered intravenously as a continuous 24 h/day, 7 days/week infusion during the entire 6‐week course of fixed schedule standard radiation therapy. The dose of paclitaxel was escalated in patient cohorts in standard phase I design.ResultsEleven patients (eight brain stem gliomas, one glioblastoma multiforme, and two gliomatosis cerebri) were treated. Dose‐limiting toxicity was encountered in the two patients treated at 6 mg/(m2/24 h), both of whom developed severe obstipation requiring prolonged hospitalization.ConclusionsWe have shown in this first study of its kind that paclitaxel can be administered safely to children as a 6‐week continuous infusion concurrent with cranial irradiation. The maximally tolerated and recommended phase II dose is 4 mg/(m2/day). The benefits of taxanes as clinical radiation sensitizers for children with high‐grade gliomas, if any, remain to be determined. Med Pediatr Oncol 2001;37:390–392. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
13C Chemical‐shift tensors in an analogous series of heterosubstituted polycyclic aromatic compounds
Authors: Barich Dewey H. , Facelli Julio C. , Hu Jian Zhi , Alderman D. W. , Wang Wei , Pugmire Ronald J. , Grant David M. 
Published: August 2002

AbstractThe 13C principal values of the chemical‐shift tensor for fluorene, carbazole, dibenzofuran and dibenzothiophene were determined with the FIREMAT and PHORMAT experiments. Theoretical calculations (DFT) of the tensors were used as an aid to spectral assignment of the tensors, particularly in some positions in which the isotropic chemical shifts were accidentally degenerate. The principal values are discussed in terms of the effects of the heterosubstitutions. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Investigation of seeds with high‐resolution solid‐state 13C NMR
Authors: Bardet Michel , Foray Marie Françoise , Bourguignon Jacques , Krajewski Piotr 
Published: August 2002

AbstractMagic angle spinning (MAS) 13C NMR was employed to investigate seeds. By combining single pulse excitation (SP) and cross‐polarization (CP) experiments, we showed that both liquid and solid domains of plant seeds (Arabidopsis thaliana, Lactuca sativa and Pisum sativum) can be characterized. Sharp signals in the CP/MAS spectra of seeds were attributed to triacylglycerols (TAG) belonging to the mobile phase by the use of a non‐quaternary suppression (NQS) experiment. Using the CP/MAS probe designed for solid‐state NMR, we demonstrated that the liquid domain of seeds could be readily analyzed under MAS conditions with classical multi‐pulse experiments normally devoted to liquid‐phase NMR. Such a non‐destructive approach should be useful to monitor the transformation of metabolites during physiological processes and the effects of chemical molecules on seeds and other similar biological systems. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
mdr1a deficiency corrects sterility in Niemann–Pick C1 protein deficient female mice
Authors: Erickson Robert P. , Kiela Monica , Devine Patrick J. , Hoyer Patricia B. , Heidenreich Randall A. 
Published: August 2002

AbstractNiemann–Pick type C disease is a progressive neurological disease with cholesterol storage in liver, and npc1−/− mice share these features and are sterile. We have searched for the cause of sterility and found normal folliculogenesis and progesterone levels but lack of implantation. Multiple drug resistance (MDR) P‐glycoproteins are plasma membrane proteins implicated in the movement of drugs and lipids across membranes. Their functions are inhibited by progesterone, which has been shown to alter cellular cholesterol homeostasis and has implicated P‐glycoproteins in the movement of cholesterol to the endoplasmic reticulum. We have introduced the mdr1a knockout into the npc1 mutant line. While the neurological disease continues at its usual rate, preventing the females from taking care of their litters, npc1−/−, mdr1a−/− females became fertile. Although the mdr1a P‐glycoprotein co‐localizes with caveolae, neither caveolin‐1 nor npc1 levels were significantly altered in the livers of double homozygotes. The absence of mdr1a was confirmed by immunoblotting, but npc1 deficiency was not associated with consistent changes in cerebellar mdr1a in mdr1a+/+ mice. The results show that a mdr1a mutation is an in vivo suppressor of female sterility in npc1 deficient mice. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 62: 167–173, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effect of elevated Ca2+ concentration in fusion/activation medium on the fusion and development of porcine fetal fibroblast nuclear transfer embryos
Authors: Cheong Hee‐Tae , Park Kwang‐Wook , Im Gi‐Sun , Lai Liangxue , Sun Qing‐Yuan , Day Billy N. , Prather Randall S. 
Published: August 2002

AbstractThe present study examined the effect of elevated Ca2+ concentration in fusion/activation medium on the fusion and development of fetal fibroblast nuclear transfer (NT) porcine embryos. Frozen‐thawed and serum starved fetal fibroblasts were transferred into the perivitelline space of enucleated oocytes. Cell fusion and activation were induced simultaneously with electric pulses in 0.3 M mannitol‐based medium containing 0.1 or 1.0 mM CaCl2. Some fused embryos were further activated 1 hr after the fusion treatment by exposure to an electric pulse. The NT embryos were cultured in vitro for 6 days. Fusion and blastocyst formation rates were significantly (P < 0.05) increased by increasing the Ca2+ concentration from 0.1 mM (67.1 and 6.3%) to 1.0 mM (84.7 and 15.8%). However, no difference in the number of cells in blastocysts was observed between the two groups. A higher percentage of blastocyst was also observed when control oocytes were parthenogenetically activated in the presence of elevated Ca2+ (19.3% vs. 32.4%, P < 0.05). When the reconstituted oocytes were fused in the medium containing 1.0 mM CaCl2, increasing the number of pulses from 2 to 3 or an additional activation treatment did not enhance the blastocyst formation rate or cell number in blastocysts. These results demonstrate that increasing the Ca2+ concentration in the fusion/activation medium can enhance the fusion and blastocyst formation rates of fetal fibroblast NT porcine embryos without an additional activation treatment. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 61:488–492, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Subtilisin proprotein convertase‐6 expression in the mouse uterus during implantation and artificially induced decidualization
Authors: Wong Becky S.Y. , Liu Shiying , Schultz Gilbert A. , Rancourt Derrick E. 
Published: August 2002

AbstractDuring implantation, a balance of factors regulates the invasive properties of the embryo and the anti‐invasive properties of uterine decidua. Although antiproteinases such as the metalloproteinase inhibitor TIMP‐3 are thought to play critical roles in preventing the overaggressive invasion of trophoblasts, the mechanism of antiproteinase regulation is unknown. Recently, the prohormone convertase SPC‐6 has been found to be co‐expressed in embryo‐proximal decidua in association with TIMP‐3. As members of this serine proteinase family are known to activate latent TGFβ family members which regulate decidual TIMP‐3 levels, we sought to characterize the expression of SPC‐6 during pregnancy and artificial decidualization. In this study, we demonstrate that the zone of SPC‐6 gene expression exhibits a great degree of temporal and spatial overlap with TIMP‐3 gene expression in uterine decidua from E5.5 through to E8.5. Like TIMP‐3, we demonstrate that SPC‐6 expression is induced during the decidual cell response using an in vivo model of artificial decidualization. Both the secreted and membrane bound forms of SPC‐6 are expressed throughout the period of decidualization, suggesting that SPC‐6 may play multiple roles during this developmental period. This is confirmed by our observation of the movement of SPC‐6 expression to the presumptive placental region, as TIMP‐3 expression regresses at the implantation site. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 61:453–459, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Lipid dynamics in the plasma membrane of ram and bull spermatozoa after washing and exposure to macromolecules BSA and PVP
Authors: Wolfe Caroline A. , James Peter S. , Gunning A. Patrick , Ladha Shab , Christova Yonka , Jones Roy 
Published: August 2002

AbstractSeminal plasma proteins and macromolecules in the external medium have a major influence on the functionality of sperm plasma membranes. In this investigation we have examined their effects on lipid diffusion in the surface membrane of ram and bull spermatozoa as measured by fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP). Results show that progressive removal of seminal plasma from ram spermatozoa by repeated centrifugation and resuspension in media ± 4% bovine serum albumin (BSA) or 0.4% polyvinlypyrrolidone (PVP) causes a reduction in lipid diffusion in all regions of the membrane. By contrast, bull sperm membranes respond with an increase in diffusion in all regions. Repeated washing of bull spermatozoa whose membranes were previously immobile (i.e., showed no recovery after FRAP) restored lipid diffusion suggesting an inhibitory effect of seminal plasma proteins. Further analysis by atomic force microscopy revealed a close association between BSA and the plasma membrane. It is concluded that diffusion of lipids in the plasma membrane of ejaculated ram and bull spermatozoa is influenced by seminal plasma proteins and the composition of the suspending medium. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 59:306–313, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Rabbit cloning: Improved fusion rates using cytochalasin B in the fusion buffer
Authors: Li Guang‐Peng , Chen Da‐Yuan , Lian Li , Han Zhi‐Ming , Zhu Zi‐Yu , Seidel George E. 
Published: August 2002

AbstractThis study investigated the possibility of producing rabbits from embryos obtained by transfer of somatic cell nuclei; Muscle biopsies were taken from the upper part of the hind limb of fetuses at 24 days of gestation. Fetal fibroblasts were cultured in Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's medium (DMEM) supplemented with 10% FCS at 38°C in 5% CO2 in air. Cells were passaged at least three times; for 5 days prior to nuclear transfer, cells were cultured in 0.5% FCS medium to induce them into G0. These cells then were placed into the perivitelline space of enucleated rabbit MII stage oocytes. Fusion media were Ca/Mg‐containing 0.3 M mannitol (Buffer 1) or 0.3 M mannitol plus 7.5 μg/ml cytochalasin B (CB) (Buffer 2). Fusion was studied with 6 protocols: culture of donor cell‐cytoplast complexes (CCCs) in TCM199 for 0, 30, or 60 min after micromaniupulation and electrical stimulation in Buffer 1 or Buffer 2. Fusion rates were 57.4, 42.9 and 52.8%, respectively, in groups 0 + B1, 30 + B1, and 60 + B1, significantly lower than the rates in groups 0 + B2, 30 + B2 and 60 + B2 (75.9, 75.7, and 76.4%, respectively) (P < 0.05). Thus, CB in electrical fusion buffer improved the fusion rate. The percentages of blastocyst formation were 40% in 0 + B2 and 37.1% in 0 + B1 groups, significantly higher (P < 0.05) than those in 30 + B1 (20%), 30 + B2 (15.6%), 60 + B1 (13%) and 60 + B2 (8.3%). A total of 653 cloned embryos were at 1‐cell, 2–4‐cell, or morula/blastocyst stages were transferred to 44 mated or non‐mated synchronized recipients. No cloned embryos developed to term. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 61: 187–191, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
SMASH and SENSE: Experimental and numerical comparisons
Authors: Madore Bruno , Pelc Norbert J. 
Published: August 2002

AbstractThree parallel‐imaging methods were implemented and compared in terms of artifact and noise content: original SMASH, Cartesian SENSE, and an extremely simple method called here the “scissors method.” These methods represent very different approaches to the parallel‐imaging problem. The experimental and numerical comparisons presented here aim at shedding light on the whole spectrum of parallel‐imaging methods, not just the three methods actually implemented. In our results, SMASH images had an artifact level significantly higher than SENSE images for all acceleration factors. The SNR in SENSE images was nearly optimal at low acceleration factors. As acceleration was increased, the noise content in SENSE images eventually sharply departed from optimal values, while the artifact content remained low. Magn Reson Med 45:1103–1111, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
External standard method for the in vivo quantification of choline‐containing compounds in breast tumors by proton MR spectroscopy at 1.5 Tesla
Authors: Bakken Inger J. , Gribbestad Ingrid S. , Singstad Trond E. , Kvistad Kjell A. 
Published: August 2002

AbstractQuantification of choline‐containing compounds observed with 1H MRS of breast tumors is of interest since such compounds have been linked to malignancy. Experiments were performed at 1.5 T with an external standard containing phosphocholine for calibration. In phantom studies, good precision was achieved after correction for T1/T2 effects. T2 values for choline were estimated for two breast cancer patients. A choline concentration of 2.0 mM was calculated for a third patient, a result comparable to in vitro findings. Magn Reson Med 46:189–192, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Modulations of soleus H‐reflex excitability during gait initiation: Central versus peripheral influences
Authors: Trimble Mark H. , Brunt Denis , Jeon Hye‐Seon , Kim Hyeong‐Dong 
Published: August 2002

AbstractSoleus and tibialis anterior electromyogram (EMG) and soleus H‐reflexes were recorded from the stance limb of an individual who suffered a traumatic peroneal nerve injury and of four nonimpaired individuals during gait initiation. The control subjects also initiated walking after swaying forward (sway‐gait initiation), which eliminated the initial tibialis anterior activation. During the initial period of gait initiation, H‐reflexes were depressed to 43% of standing values during normal‐gait initiation and 86% during sway‐gait initiation in the nonimpaired subjects. H‐reflexes of the nerve‐injured subject were depressed to 37%, even though no tibialis anterior EMG was observed. The findings support the view that reciprocal inhibition of the soleus during a task, which normally involves tibialis anterior activation, is due to a centrally mediated process. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Muscle Nerve 24: 1371–1379, 2001
Normal values for phrenic nerve latency in children
Authors: Russell Robert I. Ross , Helps Barbara‐Anne , Helms Peter J. 
Published: August 2002

AbstractData derived from detailed studies of normal phrenic nerve latency in a large group of children are presented. They highlight the major differences between the three previously published studies of normal children. Phrenic nerve latency shows a curvilinear relationship with age, averaging 6.0 ms at 0–6 months, falling to 4.8 ms between 1 and 2 years, then rising to 6.3 ms between 10 and 18 years of age. These data represent the largest published study on normal phrenic nerve latency in children. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Muscle Nerve 24: 1548–1550, 2001
Action potential shape of rabbit masseter motor units and jaw angle
Authors: Turkawski Stan J.J. , van Eijden Theo M.G.J. 
Published: August 2002

AbstractAction potentials of rabbit masseter motor units (n = 42) were registered at different jaw angles to examine whether the shape of the action potential is related to length of muscle fibers in motor units and depends on the intramuscular location of the motor unit. Twitches were elicited by stimulating motoneurons in the trigeminal motor nucleus. During jaw opening (0–21°), the duration of the action potentials increased by about 10%. Anteriorly located motor units showed an increase in duration larger than that of more posteriorly located units, which was probably due to a larger stretching of the more anteriorly located units. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Muscle Nerve 24: 1551–1553, 2001
Interruption of a relay of corticospinal excitation by a spinal lesion at C6–C7
Authors: Marchand‐Pauvert Véronique , Mazevet Dominique , Pradat‐Diehl Pascale , Alstermark Bror , Pierrot‐Deseilligny Emmanuel 
Published: August 2002

AbstractIn a patient with a limited lesion of the spinal cord at the C6–C7 junction, ulnar and superficial radial‐induced modulations of the motor evoked potentials (MEP) and of ongoing electromyographic (EMG) activity were observed in the biceps (above the lesion) but not in the triceps (below the lesion). This suggests an interruption of the axons of cervical propriospinal neurons. This relay transmits an indirect (disynaptic) component of corticospinal excitation to human upper limb motoneurons. Changes in it might be involved in compensatory mechanisms following central motor disorders. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Muscle Nerve 24: 1554–1561, 2001