bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of Prophylactic Postoperative β-Blockade on Post-Cardiothoracic Surgery Length of Stay and Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Coleman Craig I , Perkerson Kristen A , Gillespie Effie L , Kluger Jeffrey , Gallagher Robert , Horowitz Sheryl , White C Michael
Published: October 2004

BACKGROUND

Previous studies have shown that post-cardiothoracic surgery atrial fibrillation (AF) increases the risk of hospital length of stay (LOS), overall mortality, pulmonary edema, and need for a balloon pump. A meta-analysis of 2 previous trials showed a nonsignificant reduction in LOS with postoperative β-blockers but only encompassed 1200 patients, with few valve surgery patients, and neither study used a hospital within the US.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the impact of postoperative β-blockers on LOS and AF. Secondary endpoints of overall mortality, pulmonary edema, and need for an intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) were also evaluated between groups.

METHODS

This was a prospective cohort evaluation of all patients undergoing cardiothoracic surgery at our institution between October 1999 and October 2003. Patients receiving prophylactic postoperative β-blockers were matched (1:1) with patients not receiving prophylaxis for age >70 years, valvular surgery, history of AF, gender, and use of preoperative digoxin and β-blockers.

RESULTS

Patients (n = 1660) receiving postoperative β-blockade had a reduction in LOS (mean ± SD 10.22 ± 11.38 vs 12.40 ± 15.67; p = 0.001) and AF (23.5% vs 28.4%; p = 0.02). Mortality, pulmonary edema, and need for IABP were reduced by >50% (p < 0.001; p = 0.001; p < 0.001, respectively), while myocardial infarction and stroke were not significantly impacted.

CONCLUSIONS

In this observational cohort study, prophylactic postoperative β-blocker use was associated with shorter hospital LOS by an average of 2.2 days and a 17.3% lower incidence of AF. It may also be associated with reductions in overall mortality, pulmonary edema, and need for an IABP.
Insulin acts via mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphorylation in rabbit blastocysts
Authors: Navarrete Santos Anne , Tonack Sarah , Kirstein Michaela , Pantaleon Marie , Kaye Peter , Fischer Bernd
Published: October 2004

The addition of insulin duringin vitroculture has beneficial effects on rabbit preimplantation embryos leading to increased cell proliferation and reduced apoptosis. We have previously described the expression of the insulin receptor (IR) and the insulin-responsive glucose transporters (GLUT) 4 and 8 in rabbit preimplantation embryos. However, the effects of insulin on IR signaling and glucose metabolism have not been investigated in rabbit embryos. In the present study, the effects of 170 nM insulin on IR, GLUT4 and GLUT8 mRNA levels, Akt and Erk phosphorylation, GLUT4 translocation and methyl glucose transport were studied in cultured day 3 to day 6 rabbit embryos. Insulin stimulated phosphorylation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) Erk1/2 and levels of IR and GLUT4 mRNA, but not phosphorylation of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-dependent protein kinase, Akt, GLUT8 mRNA levels, glucose uptake or GLUT4 translocation. Activation of the MAPK signaling pathway in the absence of GLUT4 translocation and of a glucose transport response suggest that in the rabbit preimplantation embryo insulin is acting as a growth factor rather than a component of glucose homeostatic control.
Intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection in a marsupial
Authors: Richings Nadine M , Shaw Geoffrey , Temple-Smith Peter D , Renfree Marilyn B
Published: October 2004

Here we report the first use of intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) in a marsupial, the tammar wallaby (Macropus eugenii ), to achieve in vitro fertilization and cleavage. A single epididymal spermatozoon was injected into the cytoplasm of each mature oocyte collected from Graafian follicles or from the oviduct within hours of ovulation. The day after sperm injection, oocytes were assessed for the presence of pronuclei and polar body extrusion and in vitro development was monitored for up to 4 days. After ICSI, three of four (75%) follicular and four of eight (50%) tubal oocytes underwent cleavage. The cleavage pattern was similar to that previously reported for in vivo fertilized oocytes placed in culture, where development also halted at the 4- to 8-cell stage. One-third of injected oocytes completed the second cleavage division, but only a single embryo reached the 8-cell stage. The success of ICSI in the tammar wallaby provided an opportunity to examine the influence of the mucoid coat that is deposited around oocytes passing through the oviduct after fertilization. The presence of a mucoid coat in tubal oocytes did not prevent fertilization by ICSI and the oocytes cleaved in vitro to a similar stage as follicular oocytes lacking a mucoid coat. Cell–zona and cell–cell adhesion occurred in embryos from follicular oocytes, suggesting that the mucoid coat is not essential for these processes. However, blastomeres were more closely apposed in embryos from tubal oocytes and cell–cell adhesion was more pronounced, indicating that the mucoid coat may be involved in maintaining the integrity of the conceptus during cleavage.
Hoechst 33342 stain and u.v. laser exposure do not induce genotoxic effects in flow-sorted boar spermatozoa
Authors: Parrilla I , Vázquez J M , Cuello C , Gil M A , Roca J , Di Berardino D , Martínez E A
Published: October 2004

Sex selection by flow cytometry/cell sorting involves the staining of spermatozoa with Hoechst 33342 in combination with the impact of a u.v. laser beam, two potentially mutagenic agents. A phenotypic and cytogenetic study of lymphocytes of piglets born after insemination with spermatozoa stained with Hoechst 33342 and from piglets obtained from stain-sorted spermatozoa was performed to evaluate the genotoxic effect of Hoechst 33342 staining and u.v. laser irradiation on the offspring. Lymphocytes from piglets born after insemination with unstained spermatozoa, but from the same ejaculate, were used as a control group. Peripheral blood lymphocytes from these piglets were cultured following a standard cell culture protocol. Cells were then collected by centrifugation, subjected to hypotonic solution and fixed and dropped onto slides. Sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs) and chromosome aberrations (CAs: including chromosome and chromatid breaks) per cell were scored in 50-s division metaphase spreads from each donor. Reproductive parameters and litter performance of all inseminations performed were also recorded in all groups. Data were analyzed by ANOVA. No significant increase (P> 0.05) of SCE and CA frequencies were observed in piglets born from stained spermatozoa or from stain-sorted spermatozoa with respect to controls (untreated sperm). The results indicated that no mutagenic effect on spermatozoa, expressed as increases in the incidence of abnormalities in the resulting offspring and also as increases in SCE and CA frequencies on lymphocytes from these individuals, was induced by the staining of boar spermatozoa with Hoechst 33342, nor by combination of staining with laser impact during flow cytometry.
Semen-induced luteal phase and identification of a LH surge in the koala (Phascolarctos cinereus)
Authors: Johnston S D , O'Callaghan P , Nilsson K , Tzipori G , Curlewis J D
Published: October 2004

The koala ovulates in response to mating. The purpose of this study was to document the LH surge induced by copulation and to investigate the potential roles of mechanical stimulation of the urogenital sinus and deposition of semen in induction of the luteal phase. In experiment 1, serial blood samples from four koalas that underwent normal mating showed elevated concentrations of LH approximately 24–32 h post-coitus. There was no corresponding elevation in LH in koalas (n = 4) that were exposed to the presence of a male but received no physical contact. In experiment 2, koalas on day 2 of oestrus were exposed to one of the following treatments (n = 9 per group): artificial insemination with 1 ml 0.9% sterile saline (control group), insemination with 1 ml koala semen, stimulation of the urogenital sinus with a purposebuilt glass rod (designed to mimic the action of the penis during natural mating) and urogenital stimulation with the glass rod followed by insemination of 1 ml koala semen. Confirmation of a luteal phase was based on evidence of a prolonged return to oestrus, parturition and/or elevated progesterone concentrations. Insemination of saline (0/9) and urogenital stimulation (0/9) failed to induce a luteal phase. Insemination of semen without glass rod stimulation resulted in a luteal phase in 4/9 koalas, three of which gave birth. Insemination of semen in combination with urogenital stimulation produced a luteal phase in 7/9 koalas, four of which gave birth. Semen had a significant effect on induction of the koala luteal phase (P < 0.001) but glass rod stimulation had no such effect (P = 0.335). It was concluded that semen must be involved in the induction of a luteal phase in the koala. The results presented in this study will serve to improve optimal timing and induction of ovulation for artificial insemination in the koala.
Plant gametogenesis: conservation and contrasts in development
Authors: Wilson Zoe A , Yang Caiyun
Published: October 2004

Although the process of gamete formation in plants has many unique features, much has been learnt from the comparative analysis between plants and other eukaryotic systems. Plants have a number of factors that have made them desirable for the analysis of gamete development; these include late germline specification, the non-lethality of mutations affecting gamete development and the large size of their chromosomes. The availability of the fully annotatedArabidopsisgenome and comparative analysis using yeast, animal andE. colihas led to the identification and functional characterisation of many genes with roles in gamete development, principally those associated with meiosis, recombination and DNA repair. The advantages that plants give with the use of mutant screens to identify genes associated with gamete formation have also provided access to genes that are difficult to characterise by alternative routes. This has yielded novel information regarding the processes of gamete formation in higher plants. The times may now be changing with the advantages that plants provide serving to advance knowledge of gamete formation in other eukaryotic systems.
Análise laboratorial de marcha na mielomeningocele de nível lombar baixo e instabilidade unilateral do quadril
Authors: Gabrieli Ana Paula T. , Vankoski Steve , Dias Luciano S. , Milani Carlo , Lourenço Alexandre , Laredo Filho José
Published: October 2004

Este estudo examina a influência da instabilidade unilateral do quadril sobre a marcha de pacientes portadores de mielomeningocele, nível lombar baixo e instabilidade unilateral do quadril. Foram estudados através da análise laboratorial de marcha, 20 pacientes deambuladores comunitários utilizando goteiras e muletas, com luxação ou subluxação unilateral do quadril. , Os pacientes foram sub divididos em dois grupos. Grupo 1 (10 pacientes) , que não apresentavam contraturas do quadril (flexão e/ou adução) ou as apresentavam de forma simétrica entre os lados; e Grupo 2 (10 pacientes), que apresentavam contraturas assimétricas de quadril A cinemática do quadril e da pelve foi analisada no sentido de se avaliar a simetria entre o lado envolvido e o oposto. Sete pacientes do Grupo 1 e 2 do Grupo 2 apresentaram marcha simétrica. Marcha assimétrica foi encontrada em 3 pacientes do Grupo 1 e 7 pacientes do Grupo 2. A assimetria na marcha relacionou-se principalmente com a presença de contraturas de quadril unilaterais ou bilaterais mas assimétricas. Demonstrou-se que a assimetria da marcha não pode ser atribuída somente à instabilidade do quadril, mas parece estar mais relacionada com presença de contraturas unilaterais ou assimétricas e cujo tratamento deveria ser o objetivo em detrimento de reduções cirúrgicas do quadril.
Avaliação biomecânica das fraturas intra-articulares do calcâneo e sua correlação clínica radiográfica
Authors: Contreras Marcos Emilio Kuschnaroff , Muniz Adriane Mara de Souza , Souza Juliana Barcellos de , Avila Aluisio Otavio Vargas , Borges Junior Noé Gomes , Barbosa Diogo Rath Fingerl , Kroth Luciano Manoel Martins , Reis Filho Marcos dos
Published: October 2004

O presente estudo teve o objetivo de oferecer uma avaliação clínica, radiográfica e biomecânica de pacientes com fratura intraarticular de calcâneo, submetidos à redução aberta e fixação interna. A amostra consistiu em 22 pacientes, 20 do sexo masculino e dois do sexo feminino, com idade média de 40,95 (± 11,63) anos. Os autores realizaram avaliações radiográficas do ângulo de Böhler e Gissane, no pré e no pós-operatório, além de utilizarem a tomografia computadorizada para avaliação da classificação de Sanders. A avaliação da Distribuição da Pressão Plantar foi realizada pelo sistema F-scan. Os resultados clínicos encontrados foram satisfatórios apresentando, pontuação média de 75,5 no critério da AOFAS.. A redução cirúrgica resultou em uma melhora dos ângulos de Böhler e Gissane. O estudo mostrou diferenças estatisticamente significantes entre o antepé o retropé fraturados no que tange sobre a área de contato, pressão e força de reação do solo. Os valores encontrados para estes parâmetros foram maiores no retropé que no antepé fraturados. A trajetória de Pressão (COP) foi menor no pé fraturado que no pé normal. Encontrou-se correlação entre o Ângulo de Gissane após a redução e o Segundo Pico de Força, indicando que quanto melhor a redução deste ângulo , melhor a impulsão. Também encontrou-se a correlação entre a pontuação AOFAS e o Primeiro Pico de Força, mostrando que quanto melhor o resultado clínico melhor o apoio do retropé.
Overt and covert aggression in work settings in relation to the subjective well‐being of employees
Authors: Kaukiainen Ari , Salmivalli Christina , Björkqvist Kaj , Österman Karin , Lahtinen Auli , Kostamo Anne , Lagerspetz Kirsti
Published: October 2004

Aggressive behavior was studied in workplaces having (1) predominantly male, (2) predominantly female, or (3) both male and female employees in equal or near equal frequencies. In addition to examining the occurrence of different types of aggression in these workplaces, the question of whether being a target of aggression is related to employees’ subjective well‐being was addressed. One hundred sixty‐nine participants (mainly 30–50 years of age) employed in a wide range of organizations in the public sector completed a questionnaire measuring four types of observed and experienced aggression: direct overt, indirect manipulative, covert insinuative, and rational‐appearing aggression. Indirect manipulative and rational‐appearing aggression were perceived to be the most widely used aggression styles in the work context. In the predominantly male workplaces, the men were perceived to use more of all types of aggression than in the predominantly female workplaces. The women’s aggression was not related to the relative number of females and males with whom they worked. Participants were divided into two groups on the basis of the extent to which they estimated themselves to be targets of workplace aggression. Those who considered themselves to be victims of workplace aggression suffered significantly more from psychosocial problems and physical symptoms than those who had been victimized to a lesser extent or not at all. The victimized group also considered the aggression they had suffered to be the reason for their psychosocial and health problems. Aggr. Behav. 27:360–371, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Maternal territoriality as an offspring defense strategy in red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii, Girard)
Authors: Figler Michael H. , Blank Grant S. , Peeke Harman V.S.
Published: October 2004

The offspring‐defense hypothesis of maternal territoriality in solitary and semisocial mammals [Wolff JO and Peterson JA. 1998. Ethol Ecol Evol 10:227–239] was evaluated in another taxon using maternal and nonmaternal female red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii), a freshwater decapod crustacean that shows pronounced shelter‐related maternal aggression. The maternal females were of three different categories: (1) ovigerous, (2) carrying primarily stage 1 offspring, or (3) tending offspring that were primarily stage 2. Each female was in residence in an individual aquarium containing only a gravel substrate for 24 hr prior to serial intrusions by male conspecifics. Virtually all of the residents, maternal and nonmaternal, excavated a depression (shelter) in the substrate prior to the first intrusion. The results showed that residents in each of the maternal categories won a significantly higher proportion of their encounters than did the nonmaternal residents, which showed only negligible defense and lost every encounter. However, there were no significant differences in encounter outcomes between the maternal resident categories. There was clear defense of the shelter by maternal females, with virtually all fighting being in or around it, thus demonstrating stable, heightened territorial defense throughout these maternal phases of reproduction. This support of the offspring‐defense hypothesis of maternal territoriality is the first such evidence for a freshwater crustacean and is very similar to that recently reported in a related marine decapod, the American lobster (H. americanus). Aggr. Behav. 27:391–403, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Oxidation and Ammoxidation of Aromatics
Authors: Lücke B. , Narayana K. V. , Martin A. , Jähnisch K.
Published: October 2004

An overview of the state of the art in the direct oxygen or nitrogen insertion to aromatic rings and side‐chains by hydroxylation, acetoxylation, partial oxidation and ammoxidation is presented. The influence of a variety of catalysts and oxidants on the yields of hydroxylated products of aromatic species is discussed in more detail. The survey is also focussed on the usage of H2O2 as an effective oxidising agent for hydroxylation reactions. Acetoxylation of methyl‐substituted aromatic compounds to their corresponding esters in a single step is indeed an interesting area from an industrial point of view. Hence, the topics covering benzylic acetoxylation, although they are under a developmental stage for commercial exploitation, are also reviewed. The present contribution also covers the main directions of selective oxidation/ammoxidation of aromatic compounds to useful products, surveys recent developments and provides an updated discussion of the state of the art in the field of oxidation and ammoxidation of aromatics. Additionally, a comparative study of the vapour phase oxidation and ammoxidation of different alkyl aromatics to their corresponding aldehydes and nitriles using various heterogeneous catalysts is presented. Besides, the achievements and limitations of the catalysts/processes are emphasised. Furthermore, the present article includes a discussion of common features and differences in mechanistic steps of oxidation and ammoxidation reactions investigated by in situ FITR spectroscopy. The influence of acid‐base properties of catalyst surfaces in connection with electronic effects of the substituents on the performance of the catalysts is also described.
Molecular Recognition Between a Water‐Soluble Organometallic Complex and a β‐Cyclodextrin: First Example of Second‐Sphere Coordination Adducts Possessing a Catalytic Activity
Authors: Caron Laurent , Bricout Hervé , Tilloy Sébastien , Ponchel Anne , Landy David , Fourmentin Sophie , Monflier Eric
Published: October 2004

Formation of stable second‐sphere adducts between a water‐soluble organometallic complex and a cyclodextrin (CD) is possible by finely designing the structure of the water‐soluble phosphane. The key point to obtain such adducts was the synthesis of a water‐soluble phosphane which possesses a tert‐butylphenyl group recognized by the CD and separated from the phosphorus atom by a phenyl ring to avoid phosphane decoordination during the molecular recognition process between the organometallic complex and the CD. These adducts are able to catalyze the cleavage of water‐insoluble carbonate in a biphasic system.
Bifunctional Catalysts Stabilized on Nanocrystalline Magnesium Oxide for One‐Pot Synthesis of Chiral Diols
Authors: Choudary Boyapati M. , Jyothi Karangula , Roy Moumita , Kantam Mannepalli L. , Sreedhar Bojja
Published: October 2004

New bifunctional catalysts composed of PdCl42−, OsO42− and OsO42−, WO42− designed and prepared by a counterionic stabilization technique involving the reactions of Na2PdCl4‐K2OsO4 and K2OsO4‐Na2WO4 with nanocrystalline MgO are well characterized. These bifunctional catalysts, NAP‐Mg‐PdOs and NAP‐Mg‐OsW perform tandem Heck asymmetric dihydroxylation and asymmetric dihydroxylation‐N‐oxidation reactions, respectively, in the presence of the chiral ligand 1,4‐bis(9‐o‐dihydroquinidinyl)phthalazine [(DHQD)2PHAL] in a single pot. It is quite impressive to note that H2O2 is used as a terminal oxidant to provide N‐methylmorpholine N‐oxide (NMO) in situ by the oxidation of N‐methylmorpholine (NMM) in the asymmetric dihydroxylation‐N‐oxidation catalyzed by NAP‐Mg‐OsW.
Erbium(III) Triflate as an Extremely Active Acylation Catalyst
Authors: Procopio Antonio , Dalpozzo Renato , De Nino Antonio , Maiuolo Loredana , Russo Beatrice , Sindona Giovanni
Published: October 2004

Erbium(III) triflate is a powerful catalyst for the acylation of alcohols and phenols. The reaction works well for a large variety of simple and functionalized substrates by using different kinds of acidic anhydrides {Ac2O, (EtCO)2O, [(CH3)3CO]2O, Bz2O, and (CF3CO)2O} without isomerisation of chiral centres. Moreover, the catalyst can be easily recycled and reused without significant loss of activity.
Water as an Ideal Solvent for the Synthesis of Easily Hydrolyzable Compounds: High‐Yield Preparation of 2‐Pyrrolecarbaldimines and their CVD/ALD‐Relevant Cu(II) Derivatives in H2O
Authors: Grushin Vladimir V. , Marshall William J.
Published: October 2004

Water was found to be an ideal solvent for the remarkably high‐yield, fast preparation of easily hydrolyzable 2‐pyrrolecarbaldimines. In the presence of Cu2+, the reaction afforded, in one step, the corresponding Cu(II) chelates which were demonstrated to meet the initial set of current microelectronics criteria for Cu metal deposition via a CVD/ALD process. Electronic effects of the substituent on the imino nitrogen of the Cu complexes were shown to strongly influence the coordination geometry at the Cu center.
Changes in beef consumption and retailing competitiveness in Brazil: A rapid appraisal
Authors: Aguiar Danilo R.D. , Silva Andrea Lago da
Published: October 2004

This paper analyzed the competitiveness of beef retailing in Brazil. We carried out a rapid appraisal by means of extensive usage of secondary information, key informant semistructured interviews and direct observation all around the country. We found that beef has been losing competitiveness to other meats in part because of price disadvantage and in part because of marketing inefficiencies. The critical points are: the intermittent quality, unhealthy image and high price of beef, the low level of income of most consumers, inept enforcement of safety regulations, and failing vertical coordination. An important outcome of this study is that most of the problems faced by retailers do not depend only on them. However, retailers need to play a dominant role in dealing with these issues because they represent the most organized segment of the Brazilian beef system. [Econ‐Lit citations: L 660, L 810]. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Impacts from meatpacking firm mergers in an experimental market
Authors: Ward Clement E. , Lee Jong‐In
Published: October 2004

The Fed Cattle Market Simulator (FCMS), an experimental market, was used to estimate impacts from two meatpacking firm mergers. Data were collected from two FCMS workshops with large agribusiness firms. Experimental mergers involved the two smaller packers in the market in one case and the two larger packers in another. During the merger period, market prices were significantly higher than prior to the merger in both cases. Following the dissolution, results were mixed. Management of the merged firms appeared to significantly affect how effectively merged packers operated, thus affecting both behavior and performance. For both mergers, profits of the merged firm were higher relative to profits of rival firms. Merged firms appeared to have achieved some synergies in procurement or economies of scope (i.e., multi‐plant economies). An increased Herfindahl index was associated with lower fed cattle prices in one case and higher prices in the other. [EconLit citations: L130, L290, L660]. © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Factors influencing probability and frequency of participation in merger and partnership activity in agricultural cooperatives
Authors: Hudson Darren , Herndon Cary W.
Published: October 2004

Consolidation and concentration in agriculture continue to be important topics. This paper uses a binomial probit model to assess the motivations for opportunities and participation in mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, and strategic alliances in agricultural cooperatives. A Poisson model is also used to investigate the frequency of participation in these activities. Results show that competition, patronage refunds, research and development, and market diversification all affect opportunities and participation. Firm size, placement in the market channel, and research and development activities appear to influence the frequency of participation. [EconLit Categories: Q13, G34.] © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Comprehensive resource: Skeletal gene database#
Authors: Jia Libin , Ho Nicola C. , Park Susan S. , Powell John , Francomano Clair A.
Published: October 2004

The Skeletal Gene Database (SGD) is an integrated resource that provides comprehensive information about bone‐related genes, mRNA, and proteins expressed in human and mouse, with rich links to numerous other electronic tools. SGD contains expressed sequence tag (EST) data from all the skeletal‐related cDNA libraries that are available to the public. It supplies the query/data access analytic tools for users to search and compare each gene expressed in skeletal tissue(s). The results derived from EST tissue expression profiling will allow users to get the data on the mRNA copy numbers of each gene expressed in each tissue and its normalized value. From the SGD, researchers can obtain information regarding the name, symbol, size, exon/intron number, chromosomal location, LocusLink, and related disease (if any is known) of each gene. This electronic compendium also furnishes information on the protein of the corresponding gene including the protein size (amino acid number and molecular weight). It provides swift and ready access to other useful databases including OMIM, UniGene and PUBMED. The data will be updated regularly in step with current and future research, thereby providing what we hope will serve as a highly useful source of information and a powerful analytic tool to the scientific community. Published 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Transcriptional dysregulation in skeletal malformation syndromes
Authors: Hermanns Pia , Lee Brendan
Published: October 2004

Normal skeletal development requires coordinated temporal and spatial gene expression patterns that specify the functions of various cell types. Transcription factors by definition coordinate this process and are themselves subject to hierarchical levels of regulation. Together they determine the context‐dependent function of each transcription factor. Hence, loss‐of‐function and gain‐of‐function mutations within specific transcription factors cause dysregulation of broad transcriptional networks. Consequences are usually dominantly inherited skeletal malformation syndromes that can be broadly viewed as consequences of defects of cellular differentiation, proliferation, and survival versus defects in pattern formation. The study of human phenotypes and mutations can lead to hypotheses about targets within the respective transcriptional network. These targets can then be confirmed by combining mouse genetic and in vitro studies. Although this has been successful in a small group of skeletal dysplasias, the majority of transcriptional networks during skeletogenesis remain to be elucidated. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Familial influence on age of onset among siblings with Huntington disease*
Authors: Rosenblatt Adam , Brinkman R.R. , Liang K.Y. , Almqvist E.W. , Margolis R.L. , Huang C.Y. , Sherr M. , Franz M.L. , Abbott M.H. , Hayden M.R. , Ross C.A.
Published: October 2004

In order to provide data relevant to a search for modifying genes for age of onset in Huntington disease, we examined the relationship between CAG number and age of onset in a total of 370 individuals from 165 siblingships, in two cohorts of siblings with Huntington disease: an American group of 144 individuals from 64 siblingships, and a Canadian population of 255 individuals from 113 siblingships. Using a logarithmic model to regress the age of onset on the number of CAG triplets, we found that CAG number alone accounted for 65%–71% of the variance in age of onset. The siblingship an individual belonged to accounted for 11%–19% of additional variance. This adds to the previous evidence that there are familial modifiers of the age of onset, independent of the CAG number. Such modifiers may consist of additional genes, which could be the target of a linkage study. A linkage study is feasible with the cooperation of a number of major centers and may be made more efficient by concentrating on sibling pairs that are highly discordant for age of onset. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
No association between 5HT‐2A and bipolar disorder irrespective of genomic imprinting
Authors: Murphy V.E. , Mynett‐Johnson L.A. , Claffey E. , Shields D.C. , McKeon P.
Published: October 2004

Recent evidence that 5HT‐2A may be subjected to genomic imprinting prompted us to examine a collection of Irish family trios (an affected individual and both parents) for evidence of an association between 5HT‐2A and bipolar disorder. Family trios offer an advantage over case control studies in regard to genomic imprinting since with family trios it is possible to trace the path of alleles from the parents to the offspring. Using haplotype‐based haplotype relative risk (HHRR) and transmission/disequilibrium (TDT) analyses, no evidence was found for an association of 5HT‐2A with bipolar affective disorder under the assumption of no imprinting and of imprinting. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A tough noncombustible material prepared by grafting of poly(2‐ethylhexyl acrylate) with vinyl chloride
Authors: Macho Vendelin , Králik Milan , Micka Milon , Komora Ladislav , Srokova Iva
Published: October 2004

A noncombustible tough poly(vinyl chloride) (tPVC) was prepared by suspension‐grafted copolymerization of poly(2‐ethylhexyl acrylate) (poly‐EHA; elastomer) with vinyl chloride (VC). Elastomer (poly‐EHA) was prepared by emulsion, mainly homopolymerization of 2‐ethylhexyl acrylate at a temperature of 30 ± 0.1°C in the presence of a redox system and with the advantage of dosing the monomer into two portions. Grafted‐suspension copolymerization of poly‐EHA with VC was carried out at 54 ± 0.1°C, keeping other reaction conditions only slightly modified in comparison with those for the polymerization of pure VC. An optimum content of the incorporated poly‐EHA in PVC was found to be in the range 7.5–8.5 wt %, whereas notched toughness of 85–87 kJ m−2 was reached. Both below and above the found range of the content of poly‐EHA, the toughness decreases. A copolymer prepared by a direct‐emulsion copolymerization of 2‐EHA and VC (poly‐EHA‐co‐VC) exhibited worse mechanical properties than the copolymer prepared by two polymerization steps. On the basis of experimental results, effects of the reaction procedure on the properties of resulting material are described. In addition to good mechanical properties, tPVC also shows its noncombustibly. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 83: 2355–2362, 2002
Effect of crosslinker, buffer, and blending on damping properties of poly(styrene‐acrylonitrile)/poly(ethyl acrylate‐ n‐butyl acrylate) latex interpenetrating polymer networks
Authors: Li Shucai , Zeng Wei
Published: October 2004

A series of poly(styrene‐acrylonitrile)/poly(ethyl acrylate‐n‐butyl acrylate) latex interpenetrating polymer networks (LIPNs) are synthesized by changing the kind of crosslinker and introducing a buffer. The results show that the crosslinker has an important effect on the damping properties of the LIPNs; divinylbenzene is the best crosslinker in the study. Moreover, introducing a buffer into LIPNs leads to an increase of the damping values over the temperature range where the damping value surpasses 0.5. The LIPN blend prepared by mixing LIPNs results in broadening of the damping peak, therefore improving the damping properties. Tests of the damping properties show that the LIPNs have good practical value. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 84: 2347–2351, 2002
Solubility of 1‐hexene in LLDPE synthesized by (2‐MeInd)2ZrCl2/MAO and by Mg(OEt)2/DIBP/TiCl4–TEA
Authors: Jin Hyoung‐Joon , Kim Sewon , Yoon Jin‐San
Published: October 2004

The solubility of 1‐hexene was measured for linear low‐density polyethylenes (LLDPEs) produced over a heterogeneous Ziegler–Natta catalyst, Mg(OEt)2/DIBP/TiCl4–TEA (ZN), and over a homogeneous metallocene catalyst, (2‐MeInd)zZrCl2–MAO (MT). The 1‐hexene solubility in LLDPEs was well represented by the Flory–Huggins equation with a constant value of χ. ZN–LLDPEs dissolved a larger amount of 1‐hexene and thus showed a lower value of χ compared to MT–LLDPEs. The Flory–Huggins interaction parameter χ, or the solubility of 1‐hexene at a given temperature and pressure, was suggested as a sensitive measure for the composition distribution of LLDPEs. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 84: 1566–1571, 2002; DOI 10.1002/app.10418
Use of pyrolyzed oil shale as filler in poly(ethylene‐co‐vinyl acetate) with different vinyl acetate contents
Authors: Barbosa Ronilson Vasconcelos , Baumhardt‐Neto Ricardo , Mauler Raquel Santos , Gorga Carlos José Perez , Tedesco Adriana
Published: October 2004

Pyrolyzed oil shale (POS) obtained from the pyrolysis of bituminous rock was used as filler in poly(ethylene‐co‐vinyl acetate) (EVA). The effects of the VA content of EVA and the particle size of POS on the mechanical properties were investigated. The composites were prepared in a rotor mixer at 180°C with a concentration of POS of up to 30 wt %. The stress–strain plots of the compression‐molded composites are similar to the EVA (18% VA content) behavior for low concentrations (1–5 wt %) of POS with a particle size lower than 270 mesh. It was observed that decreasing the POS particle size and increasing the VA content of EVA produced better compatibility between the polymer and filler. The mechanical properties, differential scanning calorimetry, and dynamic mechanical analysis also demonstrated the compatibility between EVA and POS under the increase of the VA content in the EVA. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 84: 1544–1555, 2002; DOI 10.1002/app.10494
Simultaneous interpenetrating networks consisting of polyurethane and graft vinyl ester resin: Effect of different radical initiators
Authors: Wang Gui You , Hu Chun Pu
Published: October 2004

A series of well‐defined graft vinyl ester resins (graft VER), composed of butanol side chain (BO) or poly(oxypropylene) side chains with different molecular weights (200 or 390), were synthesized and characterized. The simultaneous interpenetrating networks (SINs) of graft VER and polyurethane (PU) were prepared. The effect of initiators for graft VER on the morphologies and mechanical properties of PU/graft VER SINs was studied through DSC, SEM, and FTIR observations. For PU/graft VER SIN formed with AIBN as initiator, the morphology and structure of these SINs are mainly controlled by the PU network formed first, and the structure of graft VER has almost no influence on the long‐range order structure of hard segments in SIN. For PU/graft VER SIN prepared with BPO/DMA as initiator (redox system), the side‐chain structure of graft VER greatly affects the morphologies of these SINs, although the PU network and graft VER network formed almost simultaneously. The reinforcement effect of the graft VER network on the PU network is significantly different by using these two different initiators for graft VER, which could be related with the morphologies of SINs and the formation rate of the two networks. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 84: 1629–1636, 2002; DOI 10.1002/app.10502
Nitroxide‐terminated poly(styrene‐co‐diethyl fumarates) and derived block copolymers
Authors: Lokaj J. , Holler P. , Kovár̆ová J.
Published: October 2004

Copolymerization of styrene (S) and diethyl fumarate (DEF) at 125°C in the presence of 2,2,6,6‐ tetramethylpiperidin‐1‐yloxyl radical (TEMPO) and initiated with a thermal initiator, 2,2′‐azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN), was studied. The molar fraction of DEF in the feed, FDEF, varied within 0.1–0.9. An azeotropic composition, (FDEF)A = 0.38, was found for the copolymerization under study. At FDEF = 0.1–0.4, a quasi‐living process was observed, transforming to a retarded conventional radical copolymerization at a higher content of DEF in the initial mixtures. The obtained TEMPO‐terminated S‐DEF copolymers were used to initiate polymerization of styrene. Poly(styrene‐ co‐diethyl fumarate)‐block‐polystyrene copolymers were prepared with molecular weight distributions depending on the amount of inactive polymer chains in macroinitiators, as indicated by size‐exclusion chromatography. A limited miscibility of the blocks in the synthesized block copolymers was revealed by using differential scanning calorimetry. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 84: 2432–2439, 2002
Comparative study of the nucleation activity of third‐generation sorbitol‐based nucleating agents for isotactic polypropylene
Authors: Marco C. , Ellis G. , Gómez M. A. , Arribas J. M.
Published: October 2004

The nucleation activity of the sorbitol derivatives 1,2,3,4‐bis(3,4‐dimethylbenzylidene sorbitol) and methyldibenzylidene sorbitol are compared with that of talc, a conventional nucleating agent for the monoclinic crystalline phase of isotactic polypropylene. The thermal parameters associated with the dynamic crystallization process are studied as a function of the cooling rate by differential scanning calorimetry, and the nucleating efficiency is assessed by comparison with self‐nucleation, the highest values being observed for 1,2,3,4‐bis(3,4‐dimethylbenzylidene sorbitol) over the whole concentration range. The nature of the polymer crystals formed in the nucleated polymer was studied by X‐ray diffraction, and the data show an increase in a preferred orientation of the polymer crystallites with increasing concentration of nucleating agent. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 84: 2440–2450, 2002
Sulfonation of polysulfones: Suitability of the sulfonated materials for asymmetric membrane preparation
Authors: Blanco J. F. , Nguyen Q. T. , Schaetzel P.
Published: October 2004

The effect of the starting polymer on the reaction of sulfonation of polysulfones was investigated. When concentrated sulfuric acid is used as the sulfonation reagent in an organic solvent‐free reaction, a polymer degradation equally occurs, leading to a decrease in the yield of product recovery. Poly(ether sulfone) Cardo appears to be the most resistant to chain scission in the medium and a control of the sulfonation degree can be performed via the reaction condition control. The reaction can be monitored by UV–Visible spectrophotometry. Phase inversion by immersion of a N‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidone–polymer dope in water led to asymmetric membranes with an average pore size in the range of that of ultrafiltration and that of nanofiltration membranes. The latter membranes can only be obtained at high polymer concentrations and at moderate sulfonation degrees. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 84: 2461– 2473, 2002
Sorption properties of the composite fibers made of PAN and chitosan
Authors: Min Byung Ghyl , Kim Chang Whan
Published: October 2004

A composite fiber of polyacrylonitrile (PAN) and chitosan was obtained by spinning the mixture of PAN/chitosan with a certain amount of diluted acetic acid as a plasticizer. Water plasticizes the PAN and acetic acid plasticizes the chitosan. The fiber showed a porous and fibrillar structure, which could be converted easily into pulplike short fiber by pulping. PAN/chitosan pulp showed a much higher amount of uptake for acid dye than that of either powdery chitosan or activated carbon. It is considered that this better sorption capacity of the composite fiber results from the relatively large surface area attributed to its pulplike shape. The adsorption behavior of the composite fiber was considerably affected by temperature and pH because the adsorption is exothermic and proceeds by an acid–base reaction. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 84: 2505–2511, 2002
Studies on microwave shielding materials based on ferrite‐ and carbon black‐filled EPDM rubber in the X‐band frequency
Authors: Annadurai P. , Mallick A. K. , Tripathy D. K.
Published: October 2004

The preparation and characterization of ferrite‐ and carbon black‐filled ethylene‐propylene‐ethylidene norborene terpolymer rubber composites were studied for microwave applications. Both the insertion loss and return loss were measured in a high‐frequency range (X‐band) with a network analyzer. The results indicated a relatively low frequency dependence. The difference in the insertion losses measured for all samples, except for one containing 100 phr ferrite and 75 phr carbon black (B75), was ±3 dB. Sample B75 showed broadband absorption in the aforementioned frequency band. Furthermore, the incorporation of both ferrite and carbon black powder into the rubber matrix altered the electrical and microwave properties, that is, the insertion loss and return loss; this could be helpful in the design of suitable absorbing materials for microwave applications at high frequencies. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 83: 145–150, 2002
Adhesive and anticorrosive properties of poly(vinylidene fluoride) powders blended with phosphonated copolymers on galvanized steel plates
Authors: Bressy‐Brondino Christine , Boutevin Bernard , Hervaud Yves , Gaboyard Manuel
Published: October 2004

Fluoropolymers with adhesive and anticorrosive properties were investigated by blending statistical phosphonated copolymers with poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF). In a first part, methacrylic monomers bearing dialkyl phosphonate and phosphonic acid groups were synthesized. Dimethyl(2‐methacryloyloxyethyl)phosphonate was obtained by carrying out a one‐step methacrylation of a commercial phosphonated alcohol. Then, a chemical conversion of the dimethyl phosphonate group to phosphonic acid groups was accomplished by two routes, including on the one hand a trimethylhalosilane and on the other hand an inorganic halide as dealkylation reagents. The resulting monomers were analyzed by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and results were discussed. In a second part, the phosphonated monomers were copolymerized with methyl methacrylate in the presence of 2,2'‐azobis(isobutyronitrile) (AIBN) to give statistical copolymers in high yields. In a third and last part, copolymers were introduced into PVDF as adhesion promoters and anticorrosion inhibitors. Good dry and wet adhesion properties onto galvanized steel plates were obtained with blends containing mainly phosphonic acid groups. Results of corrosion tests show that the phosphonic acid groups maintain some level of adhesion, thereby preventing the spread of corrosion. However, the number of acid groups and their neighbors influence the adhesive and anticorrosive properties of the PVDF coatings. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 83: 2277–2287, 2002
Adipogenic healing in adult mice by implantation of hollow devices in muscle
Authors: Xaymardan Munira , Gibbins John R. , Zoellner Hans
Published: October 2004

In mammals, wound healing is thought to result in the formation of scar tissue, with the exception of bony healing after fractures. Here we describe a previously unknown pattern of wound healing in which adipose rather than scar tissue is formed. Adipogenesis is normally confined to the embryo, although there are several experimental models for adipogenesis with highly specific dietary, cytokine, matrix, sex, or age requirements. The adipogenic healing described in this work provides a simple and reproducible experimental mouse model for adipogenesis without these limitations. Mice received intramuscular implants of nylon mesh material. Fibrinous material impregnated implants and within 4 weeks was replaced with highly vascular granulation tissue, typical of wound healing. Also consistent with wound healing was a reduction in vascularity of the newly formed tissue over time (P < 0.05). Lipoblasts were prevalent in granulation tissue, reaching a maximum in week 2 (P < 0.001) but falling to very low levels by week 9. These cells matured to adipocytes, with intermediate forms being seen. The identity of lipoblasts and adipocytes was confirmed by Oil Red O staining and electron microscopy. Control experiments confirmed that adipogenesis was independent of the materials used as well as of the sex and age of the animals. Rather, adipogenesis appeared to be due to replacement of fibrinous material in a space created within muscle. It is possible that adipogenic healing represents an adaptation for limiting the formation of restrictive scar tissues within muscle, and that this is the basis for the formation of traumatic lipomas in humans. Also, muscle tissue is replaced by adipose cells, seemingly derived from pluripotential satellite cells, in several degenerative muscle conditions, suggesting a role for adipogenic healing in these conditions. Anat Rec 267:28–36, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Approaches to studying cellular signaling: A primer for morphologists
Authors: Hartford Svoboda Kathy Kay , Reenstra Wende R.
Published: October 2004

Many research projects will lead to understanding tissue and/or cell responses to extracellular influences either from soluble factors or the surrounding extracellular matrix. These types of investigations will require the understanding of signal transduction. This particular cell biological field has literally exploded with information and new technical approaches in the past 10 years. This article is directed toward investigators interested in using these new approaches to study their systems. An overview of the general principles of signal transduction events including the types of receptors and intracellular signaling events is followed by an introduction to methods for visualizing signal transduction. This is followed by an introduction to biochemical analysis and an example of combining several approaches to understanding a tissue response to extracellular matrix stimulus. Anat Rec (New Anat) 269:123–139, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Integrated approach to teaching and testing in histology with real and virtual imaging
Authors: Heidger Paul M. , Dee Fred , Consoer Daniel , Leaven Timothy , Duncan James , Kreiter Clarence
Published: October 2004

The University of Iowa College of Medicine histology teaching laboratory incorporates extensive Web‐ and computer‐based teaching modalities, including the Virtual Microscope (VM), as emerging learning aids in histology and pathology laboratory instruction. We report here our experience in offering a multiple resource‐based approach to laboratory instruction while retaining the opportunity and requirement of examining actual microscopic slide preparations with the microscope. Acceptance of this approach has been high among our students and faculty, and performance levels established over years of teaching histology by traditional means have been maintained. Anat Rec (New Anat) 269:107–112, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.