bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Scrapie‐infected cells, isolated prions, and recombinant prion protein: A comparative study
Authors: Kneipp J. , Miller L. M. , Spassov S. , Sokolowski F. , Lasch P. , Beekes M. , Naumann D. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractFourier ‐transform infrared microscopic spectra of scrapie‐infected nervous tissue measured at high spatial resolution (∼6 μm) were compared with those obtained from the purified, partly proteinase K digested scrapie isoform of the prion protein isolated from nervous tissue of hamsters infected with the same scrapie strain (263K) to elucidate similarities/dissimilarities between prion structure investigated in situ and ex vivo. A further comparison is drawn to the recombinant Syrian hamster prion protein SHaPrP90–232 after in vitro conformational transition from the predominantly α‐helical isoform to β‐sheet‐rich structures. It is shown that prion protein structure can be investigated within tissue and that detectability of regions with elevated β‐sheet content as observed in microspectra of prion‐infected tissue strongly depends on spatial resolution of the experiment. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers, 2004
Techniques of reconstruction after total gastrectomy for cancer
Authors: Lehnert T , Buhl K 
Published: April 2004

Abstract

Background
Jejunal pouch formation and restoration of duodenal transit have been suggested for reconstruction after total gastrectomy. Opinions about the clinical value vary.

Methods
The literature was searched for prospective randomized trials comparing reconstructive procedures after total gastrectomy for malignancy. Reports with at least an English or German abstract were included. Immediate results were evaluated in terms of postoperative deaths and complications. Long-term outcome was analysed using trends in bodyweight and quality of life.

Results
A total of 19 randomized trials including 866 patients was identified. The operative risk of total gastrectomy was low, with a median mortality rate of 0 (range 0–22) per cent, irrespective of the method of reconstruction. Neither gastric substitution nor restoration of duodenal transit was associated with significant procedure-related complications. Results for specific reconstructions varied considerably within and between individual trials. Jejunal pouch reconstruction, but not restoration of duodenal passage, was associated with improved food intake and a tendency for weight gain in the early postoperative months. A favourable perception of quality of life persisted in the long term in some studies.

Conclusion
Preservation of duodenal transit offers little clinical benefit. Construction of a small-bowel reservoir after total gastrectomy should be considered to improve early postoperative eating capacity, bodyweight and quality of life.
Belgian experience with dynamic graciloplasty for faecal incontinence
Authors: Penninckx F 
Published: April 2004

Abstract

Background
Dynamic graciloplasty (DGP) is an option in patients with end-stage faecal incontinence. The aim of this retrospective multicentre study was to assess early and late outcome after DGP.

Methods
Sixty consecutive patients with congenital (14) or acquired (40) faecal incontinence or who had undergone total anorectal reconstruction (six) underwent DGP. Patients were followed up for a median of 48 (range 13–117) months.

Results
There were no deaths; 75 complications that required 61 reoperations were observed in 44 patients. Loss of muscle stimulation occurred in 22 patients, more frequently after direct nerve stimulation. Evacuation difficulties occurred in 12 patients. Overall, DGP failed in 27 patients, of whom seven had stoma construction. At follow-up, continence to solid stool without stoma was obtained in 47 of 60 patients, although 26 required use of antegrade continence enemas or other measures. Functional outcome was related to the presence of a functioning DGP and a short delay (less than 50 days) of muscle training after transposition.

Conclusion
DGP is a major operation with a high morbidity rate; it requires experience and early muscle training. The outcome after DGP should be compared prospectively with that after implantation of an artificial sphincter or other less expensive alternatives.
Oesophageal and gastric bile exposure after gastroduodenal surgery with Henley's interposition or a Roux-en-Y loop
Authors: Mabrut J-Y , Collard J-M , Romagnoli R , Gutschow C , Salizzoni M 
Published: April 2004

AbstractBackgroundThe degree which the various reconstruction techniques prevent bile reflux after gastroduodenal surgery has been poorly studied.MethodsBile exposure in the intestinal tract just proximal to the jejunal loop was measured with the Bilitec 2000® device for 24 h after gastroduodenal surgery in three groups of patients. Group 1 comprised 24 patients with a 60-cm Henley's loop after total gastrectomy. Group 2 included 31 patients with a 60-cm Roux-en-Y loop after total (22 patients) or subtotal (nine) gastrectomy. Group 3 contained 21 patients with a 60-cm Roux-en-Y loop anastomosed to the proximal duodenum as part of a duodenal switch operation for pathological transpyloric duodenogastric reflux. Bile exposure, measured as the percentage time with bile absorbance greater than 0·25, was classified as nil, within the range of a control population of healthy subjects, or pathological (above the 95th percentile for the control population). Reflux symptoms were scored and all patients had upper gastrointestinal endoscopy.ResultsBile was detected in the intestine proximal to the loop in none of 24 patients in group 1, eight of 31 in group 2 and 12 of 21 in group 3 (P &lt; 0·001). The mean reflux symptom score increased with the degree of bile exposure, and the proportion of patients with oesophagitis or gastritis correlated well with the extent of bile exposure (P &lt; 0·001).ConclusionA long Henley's loop was more effective in preventing bile reflux than a long Roux-en-Y loop. Bilitec® data correlated well with the severity of reflux symptoms and the presence of mucosal lesions.
Neoadjuvant therapy for oesophagogastric cancer
Authors: Lordick F , Stein H J , Peschel C , Siewert J R 
Published: April 2004

Abstract

Background
The prognosis after surgery for oesophagogastric cancer remains poor.

Methods
This review clarifies current indications for neoadjuvant therapy for oesophageal and gastric cancer. A systematic literature research and evaluation of data from international cancer meetings were carried out.

Results
Recently published results of large randomized phase III trials underscore the potential value of neoadjuvant treatment for oesophagogastric cancer. However, it remains uncertain which subgroups of patients should routinely undergo preoperative therapy. Metabolic response evaluation during neoadjuvant treatment is a promising tool for the selection of responding patients.

Conclusion
Neoadjuvant chemotherapy is a valid option for locally advanced oesophageal and gastric cancer. In the future, more effective and better tolerated treatment strategies, tailored to the specific tumour characteristics of each individual, should be possible.
Letter 1: Preoperative probability model for predicting overall survival after resection of pulmonary metastases from colorectal cancer (Br J Surg 2004; 91: 112–120)
Authors: Nunoo-Mensah J W , Kaiser A M 
Published: April 2004

Abstract
The Editors welcome topical correspondence from readers relating to articles published in the Journal. Responses can be sent electronically via the BJS website (www.bjs.co.uk) or by post. All letters will be reviewed and, if approved, appear on the website. A selection of these will be edited and published in the Journal. Letters must be no more than 250 words in length. Letters submitted by post should be typed on A4-sized paper in double spacing and should be accompanied by a disk.
Evaluation of P‐glycoprotein, HER‐2/ErbB‐2, p53, and Bcl‐2 in primary tumor and metachronous lung metastases in patients with high‐grade osteosarcoma
Authors: Ferrari Stefano , Bertoni Franco , Zanella Licciana , Setola Elisabetta , Bacchini Patrizia , Alberghini Marco , Versari Michela , Bacci Gaetano 
Published: April 2004

AbstractBACKGROUNDInvestigation of the relation between primary tumor and metastatic disease is necessary for the identification of predictive factors for postrecurrence survival (PRS) in patients with recurrent osteosarcoma.METHODSCellular levels of P‐glycoprotein, ErbB‐2, p53, and Bcl‐2 expression were evaluated in primary tumor biopsy and metachronous pulmonary metastasis specimens from 19 patients with high‐grade osteosarcoma. Results were analyzed for differences between primary tumor and pulmonary metastases and for correlations between expression patterns and survival.RESULTSPositive staining in lung metastases was noted in 68%, 53%, 32%, and 84% of patients for P‐glycoprotein, ErbB‐2, p53, and Bcl‐2, respectively. These percentages were higher than those observed in primary tumor specimens for all genetic markers evaluated, with a significant difference in the percentage of patients with positive staining for P‐glycoprotein (68% vs. 32%; P = 0.05) and a near‐significant difference in the percentage of patients with positive staining for Bcl‐2 (84% vs. 53%; P = 0.08). Patients with ErbB‐2 expression in the primary tumor were more likely to have multiple metastases and shorter recurrence‐free intervals compared with patients in whom ErbB‐2 expression was not observed, whereas differences in P‐glycoprotein, p53, and Bcl‐2 expression were not related to differences in metastatic pattern. PRS was influenced by p53 expression levels in pulmonary metastases, with patients who had negative staining for p53 having a significantly better PRS rate relative to patients with positive staining for p53 (3‐year PRS rate: p53‐negative, 64%; p53‐positive, 17%; P = 0.008).CONCLUSIONSIn the current study of patients with high‐grade osteosarcoma, most patients exhibited increased cellular expression of P‐glycoprotein, ErbB‐2, and Bcl‐2 in recurrent pulmonary metastases compared with primary tumor. Further studies aimed at investigating the relation between altered p53 expression in lung metastases and postrecurrence survival are recommended. Cancer 2004. © 2004 American Cancer Society.
Skip metastasis in nonsmall cell lung carcinoma
Authors: Prenzel Klaus L. , Baldus Stephan E. , Mönig Stefan P. , Tack Daniela , Sinning Jan M. , Gutschow Christian A. , Grass Guido , Schneider Paul M. , Dienes Hans P. , Hölscher Arnulf H. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractBACKGROUNDSkip metastasis to mediastinal lymph nodes is a prognostic factor for patients with nonsmall cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). Little is known about the biologic behavior of tumors with noncontinuous spread to the mediastinal lymph nodes. In patients with pN2 skip metastases, micrometastases to N1 lymph nodes, which only mimic skip metastases, have not been investigated.METHODSIn a retrospective study, the authors analyzed the primary tumor specimens from 45 patients with pN2 NSCLC (18 patients had squamous cell carcinomas, 23 had adenocarcinomas, and 4 had large cell carcinomas). They immunohistochemically evaluated the expression of p21, p53, MUC‐1, Bcl‐2, c‐ErbB‐2, and E‐cadherin. Survival rates and biomarker expression levels were compared between patients with pN2 disease and infiltration of N1 lymph nodes (without skip metastasis [n = 28]) and patients with pN2 disease without N1 infiltration (with skip metastasis [n = 17]). To evaluate micrometastasis in the pN1 lymph nodes of 17 patients with skip metastases, lymph nodes were stained using the anticytokeratin antibody, AE1/AE3.RESULTSThe 5‐year survival rate of patients with skip metastases was 41%, compared with 14% for patients without skip metastases (P = 0.019). In a multivariate analysis, the incidence of skip metastases did not vary significantly according to gender, age, histology, pT status, or cM status. Three skip‐positive patients (17.6%) had micrometastatic tumor involvement of pN1 lymph nodes. After adding these patients to the group of patients without skip metastases, there was still a significant difference in survival between the two groups. p53, MUC‐1, c‐ErbB‐2, and E‐cadherin expression levels in primary tumor specimens were not significantly different in patients with continuous metastasis and patients with skip metastases. Patients with skip metastases expressed lower levels of p21 (P = 0.026), whereas Bcl‐2 expression levels were considerably higher (P = 0.019) compared with the corresponding levels in patients without skip metastases.CONCLUSIONSPatients with NSCLC and pN2 skip metastases have a more favorable prognosis than do patients with pN2 disease without skip metastases. Tumor specimens from these patients exhibit elevated expression of the antiapoptosis gene BCL2 and lower expression levels of p21 relative to patients with pN2 disease without skip metastases. Micrometastases occurred in 3 of 17 (17.6%) patients with pN2 disease and skip metastases diagnosed by routine histopathology. Cancer 2004. © 2004 American Cancer Society.
A suitable method for identifying cell aggregates in laser scanning cytometry listmode data for analyzing disaggregated cell suspensions obtained from human cancers
Authors: Shackney Stanley E. , Smith Charles A. , Pollice Agnese A. , Brown Kathryn , Kosiban Deborah 
Published: April 2004

AbstractBackgroundThe presence of cell aggregates in cell suspensions obtained from human solid tumors can interfere with the measurement of cell DNA content of cell singlets, and can confound multiparameter analysis of other measurements on the same cells. Flow cytometric corrections for cell aggregates based on signal pulse shape have not proven to be reliable. Mathematical models have been developed to correct for cell aggregates in binned DNA histogram data, but they are not suitable for the correction of correlated non‐DNA measurements obtained on the same cells.MethodsA total of 21 samples representing a variety of normal and malignant human cell types, including normal lymphocytes, normal sputum, human breast cancer cell lines, and mechanically disaggregated cell suspensions from primary breast cancers and nonsmall cell lung cancers, were studied by laser scanning cytometry (LSC) using the CompuCyte laser scanning cytometer (Cambridge, MA). Nuclear area, nuclear perimeter, and an LSC‐based cell texture parameter were measured on ≈400 cells in each sample, using an air‐cooled, violet laser emitting at a wavelength of 405 nm for DAPI excitation, and each cell was classified as a singlet or aggregate by its appearance under direct observation. A “saddle function” provided by CompuCyte was used, together with an algorithm based on the measurements of nuclear area, perimeter, and cell texture (the APT algorithm), to identify cell aggregates and exclude them from the listmode data file.ResultsProportions of cell aggregates in the uncorrected samples ranging from 6 to 56% (mean, 20%) were reduced to proportions ranging from 0 to 7% (mean, 2.4%) after correction. The discriminant function was “tuned” to maintain both average cell singlet purity and average cell singlet yield at >70% over a broad range of cell DNA contents.ConclusionsA combined approach to cell aggregate detection, which utilizes both the saddle function and the APT algorithm, produces list mode data files that exclude >80% of cell aggregates from samples of disaggregated cell suspensions of human tumors and other sources of clinical material. Such data files are suitable for multiparameter analysis. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Reconstruction of chaotic signals with application to channel equalization in chaos‐based communication systems
Authors: Feng Jiuchao , Tse Chi K. , Lau Francis C. M. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractA number of schemes have been proposed for communication using chaos over the past years. Regardless of the exact modulation method used, the transmitted signal must go through a physical channel which undesirably introduces distortion to the signal and adds noise to it. The problem is particularly serious when coherent‐based demodulation is used because the necessary process of chaos synchronization is difficult to implement in practice. This paper addresses the channel distortion problem and proposes a technique for channel equalization in chaos‐based communication systems. The proposed equalization is realized by a modified recurrent neural network (RNN) incorporating a specific training (equalizing) algorithm. Computer simulations are used to demonstrate the performance of the proposed equalizer in chaos‐based communication systems. The Hénon map and Chua's circuit are used to generate chaotic signals. It is shown that the proposed RNN‐based equalizer outperforms conventional equalizers as well as those based on feedforward neural networks for noisy, distorted linear and non‐linear channels. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Skeletal involvement in patients with diabetes mellitus
Authors: Carnevale Vincenzo , Romagnoli Elisabetta , D'Erasmo Emilio 
Published: April 2004

AbstractStudies on skeletal involvement in patients with diabetes mellitus have generated conflicting results, largely because of the pathogenetic complexity of the condition.Several mechanisms may contribute to skeletal damage, including the increased urinary excretion coupled with the lower intestinal absorption of calcium, the inappropriate homeostatic response in terms of parathyroid hormone secretion, and also the complex alteration of vitamin D regulation. Decreased or increased insulin and IGF‐1 concentrations and the effects of the accumulation of glycation endproducts on the bone tissue could also play a role. A possible genetic predisposition is also currently under investigation. Finally, the role of fat tissue in type 1 and type 2 diabetes and that of diabetic complications also deserve note.As far as bone mass is concerned, in adult patients with type 1 diabetes a moderately reduced bone mineral density has been shown in both axial and appendicular skeleton. On the contrary, patients with type 2 diabetes seem to have higher bone mineral density in respect to healthy control subjects, especially when overweight women are considered.No clear relationship between bone mass measurements and biochemical parameters of mineral metabolism has been shown in the different types of diabetes.Cohort studies recently carried out on large samples indicate that diabetic patients (with both type 1 and type 2 disease) have a higher risk for fracture, in particular for hip fracture, the most dangerous osteoporotic complication. This seems to be dependent both on qualitative and quantitative alterations of the bone, as well as on extra‐skeletal factors due to the neuropathic and microangiopathic complications of the disease. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Arbitrary viewpoint image synthesis based on light field construction from uncalibrated image sequence
Authors: Kobayashi Kenkichi , Saito Hideo 
Published: April 2004

AbstractRecently, image‐based rendering in which the actual image is efficiently utilized to synthesize a new image has been attracting attention. There have been many studies of arbitrary viewpoint image synthesis based on the light field, which is an image‐based rendering procedure. It is now possible to synthesize images with a high degree of realism. However, in the method based on the theory of the light field, the camera parameters used in the imaging must be known (with calibration). In cases such as imaging by a free hand‐held camera, the theory of the light field cannot be applied to the sequence of uncalibrated images. Consequently, this paper proposes an image generation method using the theory of the light field, which can be applied to a sequence of uncalibrated images. In the proposed method, the ray in each frame can be handled appropriately, using only the correspondence between frames, which is derived by tracking the feature points in the uncalibrated image sequence. This is possible because a special space, the projective grid space, which is determined by the two cameras, rather than Euclidean space, that is, ordinary three‐dimensional space, is used for light field construction in the proposed method. In the projective grid space, the general geometrical relations among straight lines and planes in Euclidean space do not apply, but the position of the ray in space can be calculated by using the fundamental matrix. The proposed method is applied to uncalibrated image sequences taken by free hand‐held video cameras. In experiments, the image from an arbitrary viewpoint is generated in a satisfactory way, indicating the usefulness of the proposed method. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn Pt 3, 87(9): 11–21, 2004; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ecjc.20102
A Simple and Practical Synthetic Protocol for Acetalisation, Thioacetalisation and Transthioacetalisation of Carbonyl Compounds under Solvent‐Free Conditions
Authors: Khan Abu T. , Mondal Ejabul , Ghosh Subrata , Islam Samimul 
Published: April 2004

AbstractA wide variety of carbonyl compounds can be converted smoothly to the corresponding acetals on treatment with alcohols or diols and triethyl orthoformate in the presence of a catalytic amount of (bromodimethyl)sulfonium bromide at room temperature. Similarly, various carbonyl compounds can be transformed into the corresponding dithioacetals on reaction with thiol or dithiols at room temperature by employing the same catalyst without any solvent. Moreover, O,O‐acetals can also be converted into the corresponding dithioacetals under identical conditions. Some of the major advantages are mild reaction conditions, a high degree of efficiency, compatibilty with other protecting groups and the lack of solvents, particularly for thioacetalisation. In addition, no brominations occur at the double bond or α to the keto position or even in the aromatic ring under these experimental conditions. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2004)
Synthesis ofN‐Aryl‐5‐alkylidene‐2,5‐dihydropyrrol‐2‐ones by “Cyclization/Dimroth Rearrangement” Reactions of 1,3‐Dicarbonyl Dianions with Diimidoyl Dichlorides of Oxalic Acid
Authors: Anders Joachim T. , Görls Helmar , Langer Peter 
Published: April 2004

AbstractThe reaction of dilithiated dicarbonyl compounds with oxaldiimidoyl dichlorides resulted in regio‐ and (E)/(Z)‐diastereoselective formation of 5‐alkylidene‐3‐arylamino‐2,5‐dihydropyrrol‐2‐ones. The products were formed by a domino “cyclization/Dimroth rearrangement” reaction. The mechanism and preparative scope of the cyclization was studied. The arylamino groups of the products were removed chemoselectively under mild conditions and in high yields by hydrolytic cleavage. The products,N‐aryl‐5‐alkylidene‐3‐hydroxy‐2,5‐dihydropyrrol‐2‐ones, are of considerable interest from pharmacological and synthetic viewpoints. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2004)