bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Endoscopic‐Assisted Disruption of Urinary Calculi using a Holmium: YAG Laser in Standing Horses
Authors: Judy Carter E. , Galuppo Larry D. 
Published: August 2002

Objective—To describe a technique for endoscope‐assisted disruption and removal of urinary calculi using a holmium:YAG laser in sedated, standing horses.Study design—Retrospective study.Animals—Six horses with urinary calculi.Methods—A holmium:YAG laser was used to disrupt naturally occurring urinary calculi in horses (4 geldings, 1 stallion, 1 mare). Ischial urethrotomy was performed in male horses to provide a portal for the endoscope and laser fiber. Calculus fragments were removed by a combination of lavage, transendoscopic basket snare removal, forceps, and digital manipulation. Ischial urethrotomies healed by second intention. Follow‐up was obtained by recheck examination and telephone interview of owners.Results—No major operative or postoperative complications occurred. Two calculi (1 stallion and 1 mare) were fragmented by a combination of laser ablation and manual disruption with a lithotrite. Postoperative dysuria occurred in the mare, but resolved after 1 month. Mean (± SD) follow‐up was 306 ± 149 days; no other complications were reported.Conclusions—Calcium carbonate urinary calculi (up to 15 cm in diameter) in horses can be effectively fragmented with a holmium:YAG laser. It is not known if this technique would be completely effective for larger calculi or extremely dense calculi.Clinical relevance—Calculus disruption by an endoscopically assisted holmium:YAG laser offers a minimally invasive method that can be performed in standing horses and that minimizes patient risk.
Granulocyte‐colony stimulating factor enhances the expression of transforming growth factor‐β mRNA in CD4‐positive peripheral blood lymphocytes in the donors for allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation
Authors: Hirayama Yasuo , Sakamaki Sumio , Matsunaga Takuya , Kuroda Hiroyuki , Kusakabe Toshiro , Akiyama Takehide , Kato Junji , Kogawa Katsuhisa , Koyama Ryuzo , Nagai Tadanori , Ohta Hidetoshi , Niitsu Yoshiro 
Published: August 2002

AbstractThe degree of acute graft‐versus‐host disease (GVHD) after allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (allo‐PBSCT) has been observed to be, unexpectedly, of an equal level to that after bone marrow transplantation. To explain this phenomenon, we hypothesized that granulocyte‐colony stimulating factor (G‐CSF) administration may induce transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β producing T cells in the donors. Five donors received 10 μg/kg G‐CSF subcutaneously for 4 days. The TGF‐β mRNA expression in CD4+ cells as measured by real time reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction increased after G‐CSF administration. This elevation is considered to be one additive mechanism of repression of acute GVHD after allo‐PBSCT. Am. J. Hematol. 69:138–140, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Activated protein C and inflammation in human myocardium after heart surgery
Authors: Petäjä Jari , Pesonen Eero , Fernández José A. , Griffin John H. , Repo Heikki , Jansson Sten‐Erik , Vento Antti E. , Rämö O. Juhani 
Published: August 2002

AbstractTo assess possible interactions between inflammation and activation of the anticoagulant protein C system during post‐ischemic reperfusion protein C, APC, neutrophil L‐selectin expression and myocardial myeloperoxidase activity (MPO) were measured in 19 patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass. After reperfusion for 10 min, APC to protein C ratio (APC/PC) increased from pre‐reperfusion value 1.43 ± 0.12 (mean ± SEM) to 2.25 ± 0.29, p = 0.015. Negative correlations were observed between APC/PC and MPO activity (Spearman r −0.64, p = 0.007) and APC/PC and neutrophil L‐selectin expression (r = −0.7, p = 0.007, demonstrating that post‐ishemic protein C activation was associated with decreased neutrophil tissue sequestration. Thus, physiological protein C activation may be involved in regulation of the inflammatory injury during reperfusion of human ischemic coronary circulation. Am. J. Hematol. 67:210–212, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Interrelationship between bone aging traits and basic anthropometric characteristics
Authors: Kalichman Leonid , Cohen Zvi , Kobyliansky Eugene , Livshits Gregory 
Published: August 2002

AbstractUsing plain hand radiographs, the age dependence of various bone‐aging traits (bone mineral density [BMD], cortical index [CI], osteoarthritis [OA], and osseographic [OSS] scores) was evaluated to test whether the correlation among these traits is an individual‐ or population‐based phenomenon. In addition, the effect of anthropometric features on variation of bone‐aging traits was estimated. The study included 1,295 individuals from Chuvasha, Russia, 18 to 89 years. BMD was measured from the compact compartment of the middle and distal phalanges of both 3rd fingers. The CI of the II–IV metacarpal bones and II–IV proximal phalanges was obtained. The development of OA was based on the standard Kellgren and Lawrence grading scheme for 28 hand joints. OSS score, a surrogate measure that takes into account different kinds of bone changes, was also obtained for each individual. Body weight and height, eight skinfold thicknesses on the trunk and extremities, and breadths of the long bones were measured. Sex‐based univariate analyses and multivariate statistical analysis showed the following: 1) Age dependence was defined more strongly in “OA‐linked” compared to “osteoporosis (OP)‐linked” traits; 2) While “OP‐linked” bone‐aging traits correlated with age differently between sexes, “OA‐linked” traits did not; 3) The strong interrelationship between OA‐linked and OP‐linked traits in both sexes became very weak and statistically insignificant (P > 0.10) after adjustment for age. Thus, OA and OP conditions in the same individual develop independently and probably reflect different underlying physiological mechanisms. 4) Anthropometric characteristics were significantly correlated with bone‐aging traits, but correlations were low (r < 0.20). Thus, the contribution of anthropometric characteristics to the rate and pattern of bone aging of the hand was to relatively small. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 14:380–390, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Severe and mild phenotypes in Pfeiffer syndrome with splice acceptor mutations in exon IIIc of FGFR2
Authors: Teebi Ahmad S. , Kennedy Shelley , Chun Kathy , Ray Peter N. 
Published: August 2002

AbstractPfeiffer syndrome is clinically and genetically heterogeneous. Three clinical subtypes have been delineated based on the severity of acrocephalysyndactyly and associated manifestations. Severe cases are usually sporadic and caused by a number of different mutations in exons IIIa and IIIc of the fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2) gene. Mild cases are either sporadic or familial and are caused by mutations in FGFR2 or FGFR1, respectively. We report on two individuals with different novel de novo mutations in FGFR2. The first is a 17‐year‐old male who has a severe phenotype, within the spectrum of subtype 1 including severe ocular proptosis, elbow ankylosis, visceral anomalies, and normal intelligence. This patient was found to have a novel complex mutation at the 3′ acceptor site of exon IIIc of FGFR2, denoted as C952‐3 del10insACC. The other patient, a 2‐year‐old female, has a mild phenotype, typical of the classic subtype 1 including brachycephaly with coronal synostosis and hypertelorism. She was also found to have a mutation at the 3′ acceptor site (the same splice site) of exon IIIc of FGFR2, a point mutation designated as 952‐1G→A. Speculation on the molecular mechanisms that cause severe and mild phenotypes is presented in relation to these two cases. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Tandem pore domain K+‐channel TASK‐3 (KCNK9) and idiopathic absence epilepsies
Authors: Kananura Colette , Sander Thomas , Rajan Sindhu , Preisig‐Müller Regina , Grzeschik Karl‐Heinz , Daut Jürgen , Derst Christian , Steinlein Ortrud K. 
Published: August 2002

AbstractRecently, the gene coding for the tandem pore domain K+‐channel TASK‐3 (KCNK9) has been localized to the chromosomal region 8q24. Because mutations in ion channel genes have been recognized as an important factor in the etiology of abnormal neuronal excitability, TASK‐3 is an interesting candidate gene for epilepsies linked to 8q24. We therefore performed a mutation analysis of the TASK‐3 gene in 65 patients with childhood and juvenile absence epilepsy. Only one silent nucleotide exchange (636C/T) was detected in exon 2 of the TASK‐3 coding region. No evidence for an allelic association was found between the exon 2 polymorphism and absence epilepsy. Accordingly, genetic variation of the TASK‐3 coding region does not play a major role in the etiology of idiopathic absence epilepsies. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Allelic and nonallelic heterogeneity in dyschondrosteosis (Leri‐Weill syndrome)
Authors: Cormier‐Daire Valérie , Huber Céline , Munnich Arnold 
Published: August 2002

AbstractDyschondrosteosis (DCS) is an autosomal dominant form of mesomelic dysplasia that has been recently ascribed to large‐scale deletions and nonsense mutations of the SHOX gene on the pseudoautosomal region of chromosome X and Y [Belin et al., 1998: Nat Genet 19:67–69; Shears et al., 1998: Nat Genet 19:70–73]. Here, we report the molecular analysis of a total of 23 DCS families including 16 previously reported pedigrees [Belin et al., 1998: Nat Genet 19:67–69; Huber et al., 2001: J Med Genet 38:281–284] and 7 novel DCS families. Linkage analyses in 21 of 23 families were consistent with linkage to the pseudoautosomal region. However, in 2 of 23 families, linkage studies excluded SHOX as the disease‐causing gene, suggesting that this condition is genetically heterogeneous. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Segregation of a novel FBN1 gene mutation, G1796E, with kyphoscoliosis and radiographic evidence of vertebral dysplasia in three generations
Authors: Adès Lesley C. , Sreetharan Darshikka , Onikul Ella , Stockton Vivienne , Watson Karen C. , Holman Katherine J. 
Published: August 2002

AbstractSkeletal and spinal radiographic findings are described in five individuals of a three‐generation kindred with kyphoscoliosis. The affected individuals have a novel FBN1 gene mutation, G1796E. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a family with an FBN1 gene mutation cosegregating with an unusual autosomal dominant progressive kyphoscoliosis of variable severity, together with radiological abnormalities of the spine, and some skeletal but no ocular or cardiac manifestations of Marfan syndrome. This previously undescribed phenotype represents yet another in the widening spectrum of fibrillinopathies caused by an FBN1 gene mutation. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Unequal contributions of male and female gene pools from parental populations in the African descendants of the city of Melo, Uruguay
Authors: Sans Mónica , Weimer Tania A. , Franco Maria Helena L.P. , Salzano Francisco M. , Bentancor Nilo , Alvarez Inés , Bianchi Néstor O. , Chakraborty Ranajit 
Published: August 2002

AbstractIn admixed populations, genetic contributions from males and females of specific parental populations can be of different proportions due to past directional mating during the process of genetic admixture. In this research paper, we provide evidence of such male‐ and female‐specific differential admixture components of African, European, and American Indian origin in an admixed population from the city of Melo, in the northeastern region of Uruguay. From data on 11 autosomal markers from a sample of 41 individuals of mixed African descent, we estimated 47% African, 38% European, and 15% Amerindian contributions. In contrast, 6 mtDNA site‐specific polymorphic markers showed that the mtDNA genome of these individuals was 52% African, 19% European, and 29% Amerindian, while from 3 Y‐specific polymorphic sites, we estimated 30% African, 64% European, and 6% Amerindian contributions. We argue that this heterogeneity of admixture estimates results from disproportionate unions of European males with African and American Indian females from which this mixed African population was formed. Also, we argue that the asymmetry of the admixture estimates from the three sets of markers (autosomal, mtDNA, and Y‐linked) is a result of the changes in the direction of mating during the history of the population. Implications of such evidence of directional mating are discussed, indicating the need of further demographic data for a quantitative assessment of the impact of directional mating on genetic structure of admixed populations. Am J Phys Anthropol 118:33–44, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Protein surveillance machinery in brains with spinocerebellar ataxia type 3: Redistribution and differential recruitment of 26S proteasome subunits and chaperones to neuronal intranuclear inclusions
Authors: Schmidt Thorsten , Lindenberg Katrin S. , Krebs Antje , Schöls Ludger , Laccone Franco , Herms Jochen , Rechsteiner Martin , Riess Olaf , Landwehrmeyer G. Bernhard 
Published: August 2002

AbstractIntracellular aggregates commonly forming neuronal intranuclear inclusions are neuropathological hallmarks of spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 and of other disorders characterized by expanded polyglutamine‐(poly‐Q) tracts. To characterize cellular responses to these aggregates, we performed an immunohistochemical analysis of neuronal intranuclear inclusions in pontine neurons of patients affected by spinocerebellar ataxia type 3, using a panel of antibodies directed against chaperones and proteasome subunits. A subset of the neuronal intranuclear inclusions stained positively for the chaperones Hsp90α and HDJ‐2, a member of the Hsp40 family. Most neuronal intranuclear inclusions were ubiquitin positive, suggesting degradation by ubiquitin‐dependent proteasome pathways. Surprisingly, only a fraction of neuronal intranuclear inclusions were immunopositive for antibodies directed against subunits of the 20S proteolytic core, whereas most inclusions were stained by antibodies directed against subunits of the 11S and 19S regulatory particles. These results suggest that the proteosomal proteolytic machinery that actively degrades neuronal intranuclear inclusions is assembled in only a fraction of pontine neurons in end stage spinocerebellar ataxia type 3. The dissociation between regulatory subunits and the proteolytic core and the changes in subcellular subunit distribution suggest perturbations of the proteosomal machinery in spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 brains.
Activity of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis in multiple sclerosis: Correlations with gadolinium‐enhancing lesions and ventricular volume
Authors: Schumann Erina M. , Kümpfel Tania , Then Bergh Florian , Trenkwalder Claudia , Holsboer Florian , Auer Dorothee P. 
Published: August 2002

AbstractThe known interaction between the immune system and the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis led us to explore the interrelation between magnetic resonance imaging findings and the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis activity in 53 multiple sclerosis patients. The cortisol release induced by the dexamethasone‐corticotropin‐releasing hormone test was negatively associated with the presence and number of gadolinium‐enhancing lesions and positively associated with ventricular size. This finding suggests a protective effect of the hypothalamic– pituitary–adrenal drive on acute lesional inflammation in multiple sclerosis, probably by limiting immune overshoot. In contrast, the nature of the correlation between hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal hyperdrive and brain atrophy remains to be determined.
Convergence retraction nystagmus: A disorder of vergence?
Authors: Rambold Holger , Kömpf Detlef , Helmchen Christoph 
Published: August 2002

AbstractThe pathological mechanism of convergence retraction nystagmus (CRN) is not known. To determine whether CRN is a disorder of vergence or of the saccadic system, the scleral search coil technique was used to record binocularly the three‐dimensional components of CRN in a patient with a left mesencephalic infarction involving the nucleus of the posterior commissure and the rostral interstitial nucleus of the medial longitudinal fascicle. CRN had disconjugate horizontal and torsional components. The horizontal amplitude/velocity relationship of CRN aligned with the main sequence of vergence responses of normal control subjects but not with that of saccades. Vergence responses of the right eye and left eye were not asynchronous. The slow phases of CRN showed an exponential decay with a time constant of 70 milliseconds. Thus, CRN is probably a disorder of vergence rather than of opposing adducting saccades.
Dysautonomia in human T‐cell lymphotrophic virus type I‐associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis
Authors: Alamy Alexandre H. , Menezes Fernando B. , Leite Ana C. B. , Nascimento Osvaldo M. , Araújo Abelardo Q‐C. 
Published: August 2002

AbstractThe frequency and importance of dysautonomia in human T‐cell lymphotrophic virus type I–associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP) have not been fully investigated. We describe the characteristics of dysautonomia in such patients in a case‐control study. Our results indicate that autonomic disturbances are more frequent in HAM/TSP than has been previously suggested, with a predominance of sympathetic nervous system dysfunction. In some of these patients, the symptoms may be severe enough to warrant specific treatment.
Silicon quantum dots in diamond matrix: a new synthesis route
Authors: Botti S. , Terranova M. L. , Sessa V. , Piccirillo S. , Rossi M. 
Published: August 2002

AbstractLight‐emitting layers of silicon quantum dots embedded in a diamond matrix have been prepared by using a new hybrid chemical vapour deposition–powder flowing technique. The polycrystalline diamond matrix is grown by thermal activation of CH4–H2 mixtures. The silicon nanoparticles used for the synthesis of the diamond‐based composites were prepared by CO2 laser pyrolysis of SiH4–He mixtures in a gas flow reactor with controlled atmosphere. During the matrix deposition, the powder‐flowing apparatus drives the silicon nanoparticles across the active area of the substrate, where diamond is growing. A strong room temperature emission is observed from composite films with characteristics dependent on the size distribution of the inserted silicon particles. We report details of the synthesis procedure and emission features of composite diamond films, whose properties promise high technological impact. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Thermal stability of SiCN ceramics studied by spectroscopy and electron microscopy
Authors: Kleebe H.‐J. , Störmer H. , Trassl S. , Ziegler G. 
Published: August 2002

AbstractProcessing of two precursor‐derived SiCN ceramic monoliths was performed employing different liquid polymers, which were obtained by ammonolysis of functionalized chlorosilanes. Preparation of monolithic samples was performed by mixing liquid polysilazane with cross‐linked SiCN‐powder particles, derived from the same precursors by heat treatment at 300 °C, and subsequent annealing upon pyrolysis at temperatures exceeding 1000 °C to initiate crystallization. Characterization of the polymer‐derived ceramics was performed after pyrolysis at 1000 °C and, in particular, after annealing at temperatures ranging from 1400 to 1540 °C. Transmission electron microscopy was conducted in order to study the devitrification/thermal stability of the corresponding bulk SiCN glasses. Depending on the functionalities of the SiCN precursor and the processing conditions, different microstructures were obtained. The material prepared from precursor A showed crystallization of large α‐Si3N4grains within the overall homogeneous amorphous bulk material after exposure at 1540 °C for 6 h in nitrogen atmosphere. In contrast, the ceramic monoliths derived from SiCN precursor B remained completely amorphous, with no indication of local nucleation or crystallization. It is thought that devitrification of these polymer‐derived glasses is promoted by local rearrangements of the glass network within the amorphous bulk. In addition, the role of the excess free carbon, commonly present in polymer‐derived SiCN ceramics,­on the thermal stability is discussed. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Determination of arsenic species in a freshwater crustacean Procambarus clarkii
Authors: Devesa V. , Súñer M. A. , Lai V. W.‐M. , Granchinho S. C. R. , Martínez J. M. , Vélez D. , Cullen W. R. , Montoro R. 
Published: August 2002

AbstractThe arsenic species present in samples of the crayfish Procambarus clarkii caught in the area affected by the toxic mine‐tailing spill at Aznalcóllar (Seville, Southern Spain) were analyzed. The total arsenic contents ranged between 1.2 and 8.5 µg g−1 dry mass (DM). With regard to the different species of arsenic, the highest concentrations were for inorganic arsenic (0.34–5.4 µg g−1 DM), whereas arsenobetaine, unlike the situation found in marine fish products, was not the major arsenic species (0.16 ± 0.09 µg g−1 DM). Smaller concentrations were found of arsenosugars 1a (0.18 ± 0.11 µg g−1 DM), 1b (0.077 ± 0.049 µg g−1 DM), 1c (0.080 ± 0.089 µg g−1 DM), and 1d (0.14 ± 0.13 µg g−1 DM). The presence of two unknown arsenic species was revealed (U1: 0.058 ± 0.058 µg g−1 DM; U2: 0.12 ± 0.12 µg g−1 DM). No significant differences were seen with respect to the total arsenic contents between the sexes. However, significant differences in the total arsenic contents were revealed between the area affected by the spill and the area not affected, the contents being greater in the affected area. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Modeling and experimental studies of emulsion copolymerization systems. III. Acrylics
Authors: Saldívar Enrique , Araujo Odair , Giudici Reinaldo , Guerrero‐Sánchez Carlos 
Published: August 2002

AbstractUsing a previously published model and continuing the series of papers started with styrenic copolymers, predictions for evolution of conversion and average particle diameter in batch experiments are compared against experimental data for four emulsion copolymerizations involving at least one acrylic monomer: (1) methyl methacrylate/butyl acrylate, (2) methyl methacrylate/butadiene, (3) methyl methacrylate–vinyl acetate, and (4) butyl acrylate/vinyl acetate. For each system a fraction of factorial experiments were run covering simultaneous variations in five variables: initiator [I] and surfactant [E] concentrations, water to monomer ratio (W/M), monomer composition, and temperature. Data fitting is performed to represent the experimental data as several parameters are not available from independent experimental sources. The model is able to explain the effects of simultaneous changes in emulsifier concentration, initiator concentration, and water to monomer ratio on conversion and average particle size histories, although in some cases only qualitatively. An assessment of the degree in which a general emulsion copolymerization model is useful for practical applications is made. Physical insight is also gained by observing the trends of adjusted parameters with temperature and copolymer composition. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 84: 1320–1338, 2002; DOI 10.1002/app.10003