bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Restoration of the coupling process and normalization of bone mass following successful treatment of endogenous Cushing’s syndrome: A prospective, long-term study
Authors: Kristo Cybèle , Jemtland Rune , Ueland Thor , Godang Kristin , Bollerslev Jens
Published: December 2005

Objective: Endogenous Cushing’s syndrome (CS) is associated with bone loss and an increased risk of fractures. However, the long-term outcome of treatment on bone health has not been adequately clarified.

Design: We followed 33 patients with active CS prospectively before and twice after treatment (mean follow-up 33 (n = 25) and 71 months (n = 18), respectively). The patients were compared to age-, sex- and body mass index (BMI)-matched controls, also followed longitudinally.

Methods: Bone mineral indices (bone mineral density (BMD), bone mineral content (BMC) and bone area) were evaluated in the lumbar spine (LS), femoral neck (FN), and total body (TB) by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Biochemical markers of bone turnover were assessed by serum levels of osteocalcin and C-terminal telopeptides of Type-1 collagen (CTX-1).

Results: Mann–Whitney rank sum tests showed that BMD of the LS, FN and TB was reduced by 14.8% (P < 0.001), 15.7% (P < 0.001), and 9.2% (P < 0.001) in CS vs. controls at baseline, with markedly reduced serum osteocalcin (P = 0.014) and increased CTX-1 (P = 0.012) levels, but no correlation between markers. At first follow-up, BMD was increased in LS (7.9%, P < 0.001) and FN (3.5%, P = 0.003) compared to baseline. The time-dependent rise in BMD (LS (r = 0.59; P = 0.002) and FN (r = 0.52; P = 0.007); Spearman’s rank correlation), in CS was paralleled by increased osteocalcin (275%, P < 0.001) and correlation between biochemical markers (r = 0.92, P < 0.001; Pearson’s correlation). TB BMD did not increase significantly before the second follow-up, when BMD Z-scores were normalized in all three compartments.

Conclusion: Our observations demonstrate restoration of coupled bone remodeling and normalization of bone mineral density in all measured skeletal compartments of treated CS patients after prolonged recovery, first significant in predominantly trabecular bone (i.e. lumbar spine).
Epidemiology of subtypes of hypothyroidism in Denmark
Authors: Carlé Allan , Laurberg Peter , Pedersen Inge Bülow , Knudsen Nils , Perrild Hans , Ovesen Lars , Rasmussen Lone Banke , Jorgensen Torben
Published: December 2005

Objective: Studies of hypothyroidism are often based on referred patients, and limited information is available on the incidence rates of subtypes of hypothyroidism in the general population. We therefore studied incidences of subtypes of primary, overt hypothyroidism in a Danish population cohort and compared incidences in two subcohorts with different levels of iodine intake.

Design: A prospective population-based study, monitoring a well-defined cohort representative of the Danish population.

Methods: The Danish Investigation of Iodine Intake and Thyroid Diseases registry of hyper- and hypothyroidism was established as part of the monitoring of the iodine fortification of salt in Denmark. A computer-based system linked to laboratory databases identified all patients diagnosed with new, biochemically overt hypothyroidism in populations living in Aalborg (moderate iodine deficiency,n= 311 102) and Copenhagen (mild iodine deficiency,n= 227 632). We subsequently evaluated all identified patients to verify incident thyroid disease, and subclassified hypothyroidism into nosological types.

Results: During a 4-year period (2 027 208 person-years) 685 new cases of overt hypothyroidism were diagnosed in the cohort; the incidence rate was 32.8 per 100 000 person-years (standardised to the Danish population). Nosological types of hypothyroidism were: spontaneous (presumably autoimmune) 84.4%, post-partum 4.7%, amiodarone-associated 4.0%, subacute thyroiditis 1.8%, previous radiation or surgery 1.8%, congenital 1.6% and lithium-associated 1.6%. Crude incidence rates were 29.0 around Aalborg and 40.6 in an area of Copenhagen. The higher incidence rate of hypothyroidism in the area with higher iodine intake was caused solely by more cases of spontaneous (presumably autoimmune) hypothyroidism, whereas the incidence of non-spontaneous hypothyroidism (all types combined) was significantly lower in the area with higher iodine intake.

Conclusion: In a population-based study we observed a higher incidence of hypothyroidism with higher iodine intake. This was due solely to the entity of spontaneous hypothyroidism. The occurrence of overt hypothyroidism was relatively low in Denmark.
Effects of gastric bypass on the GH/IGF-I axis in severe obesity – and a comparison with GH deficiency
Authors: Engström Britt Edén , Burman Pia , Holdstock Camilla , Öhrvall Margareta , Sundbom Magnus , Karlsson F Anders
Published: December 2005

Objective: Overfeeding suppresses GH secretion and makes evaluation of a suspected GH deficiency (GHD) difficult. In normal weight subjects, gender is known to influence GH concentrations, which is most apparent in the ambulatory, morning-fasted state. In this study, we examined the GH/IGF-I axis in obese men and women and the effect of surgically induced weight loss.

Design: Sixty-three subjects (body mass index (BMI) 45 ± 6 kg/m2; 54 women, 9 men) were studied prior to, and 6 and 12 months following Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGBP) surgery. Fifty-four patients with classic GHD (BMI 27 ± 6 kg/m2; 35 men, 19 women) were included for comparison.Methods: Hormones were analysed in fasting morning serum samples.

Results: RYGBP resulted in a decreased BMI to 35 ± kg/m2at 6 months and 32 ± 6 kg/m2at 12 months. GH and IGF-I increased at 6 months in the women and at 12 months in both sexes by ≥ 300 and 11% respectively. Prior to RYGBP, GH concentrations were low in the obese men and similar to those of GHD men (mean 0.09 mU/l). Obese women had tenfold higher values than obese men and sevenfold higher than GHD women. IGF-I levels were in the low reference range in the obese and below −2s.d.for age in 13%.

Conclusions: Surgically induced weight loss partially restores GH secretion. Despite a marked suppression of GH values, a gender influence is maintained in severe obesity. In obese women, single morning GH and IGF-I values seem sufficient to exclude a suspicion of classic GHD.
Lack of association between thyroid autoantibodies and parity in a population study argues against microchimerism as a trigger of thyroid autoimmunity
Authors: Pedersen Inge Bülow , Laurberg Peter , Knudsen Nils , Jørgensen Torben , Perrild Hans , Ovesen Lars , Rasmussen Lone Banke
Published: December 2005

Background: Thyroid autoimmunity is more common in females than in males. One possible explanation for this female preponderance may be the effect of oestrogens on the immune system. It has also been suggested that foetal microchimerism involving transfer of foetal cells into maternal tissue during pregnancy may play an important role.

Objective: We investigated the association between the presence of circulating thyroid autoantibodies and previous pregnancy, parity and the use of oral contraceptives (OCs) and hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in a population cohort.

Methods: We examined 3712 women randomly selected from the general population. Serum was analysed for thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPO-Ab) and thyroglobulin antibody (Tg-Ab) using assays based on an RIA technique (DYNO test). Data were analysed in logistic regression models to adjust for possible confounders. Women previously treated for thyroid disease or with pregnancy within 1 year prior to the study were excluded from the analyses.

Results: In both univariate and multivariate models and whether the presence of TPO-Ab and Tg-Ab was investigated alone or in combination, findings were negative with respect to an association between circulating thyroid antibodies and previous pregnancy, number of pregnancies, parity and previous abortion. There was no association between thyroid autoantibodies and use of OCs. Women aged 60–65 years receiving HRT now or previously had a lower prevalence of Tg-Ab (univariate, P = 0.01; multivariate, P = 0.02). No such association was observed between HRT and TPO-Ab.

Conclusion: In this population study there was no association between previous pregnancy, parity and thyroid antibodies, which argues against the role of microchimerism as a trigger of thyroid autoimmunity. Exogenous oestrogens may reduce aspects of autoimmunity.
RT-PCR analysis of corticotroph-associated genes expression in carcinoid tumours in the ectopic-ACTH syndrome
Authors: Messager M , Carrière C , Bertagna X , de Keyzer Y
Published: December 2005

Objective: ACTH is frequently produced in non-pituitary tumours, leading to the ectopic-ACTH syndrome, but the molecular mechanisms of its expression remain obscure. This study was aimed at understanding the transcription mechanisms of the ACTH-precursor gene in carcinoid tumours of the lung or thymus.

Design: Transcripts coding for a series of corticotroph-associated transcription factor genes were detected, together with markers of the corticotroph phenotype. We studied a series of 41 carcinoid tumours including 15 with proven ectopic-ACTH syndrome.

Methods: Specific RT-PCR reactions were designed for each gene including alternatively spliced isoforms.

Results: The markers of the corticotroph phenotype were detected in all ACTH-positive tumours. Expression of the Tpit and Pitx1 genes were not restricted to ACTH-positive tumours but were also detected in many ACTH-negative carcinoids. Only a subset of ACTH-negative tumours expressed NAK-1/Nur77, and NeuroD1 expression was detected in <50% of the tumours regardless of their secretory status. The glucocorticoid receptor alpha was detected in every tumour in contrast to its beta isoform detectable in a few tumours only. Chicken ovalbumin upstream promoter-transcription factor 1 (COUP-TF1) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) γ2 were expressed in 50% of the tumours of each group whereas PPARγ1 was expressed in almost every tumour.

Conclusions: ACTH-positive carcinoids do not share a characteristic expression pattern of the corticotroph-associated transcription factor genes, suggesting that the transcriptional mechanisms of the ACTH-precursor gene differ from those in normal pituitary corticotrophs. Expression of Tpit and Pitx1 genes in most carcinoids suggests that some aspects of the pituitary corticotroph phenotype may belong to general carcinoid differentiation.
Improvements in Channel Catfish Growth after Two Generations of Selection and Comparison of Performance Traits among Channel Catfish, Blue Catfish, and Hybrid Catfish Fingerlings in an Aquarium Rack System
Authors: Small Brian C
Published: December 2005

A 9-week growth study was conducted to compare the fingerling performance of two genetic groups of channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus (U.S. Department of Agriculture [USDA] 103 and USDA303) with that of blue catfish I. furcatus and their hybrid in an aquarium rack system. Fish of approximately 20 g were randomly selected from multifamily populations and acclimated to the aquarium rack system for 2 weeks prior to the start of the 9-week study. Differences in growth indices, feed and protein efficiency, nitrogen retention, whole-body proximate composition, and plasma cortisol levels were determined at the completion of the study. The USDA303 channel catfish gained significantly more weight and consumed more feed than each of the other genetic groups. Feed and protein efficiency were similar among USDA103, USDA303, and hybrid catfish but were lower for blue catfish. Nitrogen retention was highest for hybrid catfish and lowest for blue catfish. No differences in final body composition were observed between genetic groups when final weight was used as a covariate. Plasma cortisol levels after 9 weeks ranged from 9.7 ng/mL in blue catfish to 24.5 ng/mL in USDA103 channel catfish but were not significantly different among genetic groups. This study demonstrates improved growth of the USDA303 channel catfish after two generations of selection for increased body weight and reports significant differences in performance among channel catfish, blue catfish, and hybrid catfish in an aquarium rack system.
Complementary and Alternative Medical Therapy Use Among Chinese and Vietnamese Americans: Prevalence, Associated Factors, and Effects of Patient–Clinician Communication
Authors: Ahn Andrew C. , Ngo-Metzger Quyen , Legedza Anna T.R. , Massagli Michael P. , Clarridge Brian R. , Phillips Russell S.
Published: December 2005

Objective. We examined the use of complementary and alternative medical (CAM) therapies among Chinese and Vietnamese Americans who had limited proficiency with the English language and explore the association between patient–clinician discussions about CAM therapy use and patient assessments of quality of care.

Methods. We surveyed Chinese and Vietnamese Americans who visited 11 community health centers in 8 major cities throughout the United States.

Results. Of the 4410 patients surveyed, 3258 (74%) returned completed questionnaires. Two thirds of respondents reported they had “ever used” some form of CAM therapy; however, only 7.6% of these patients had discussed their use of CAM therapies with clinicians. Among patients who had used CAM therapies during the week before their most recent visits, clinician–patient discussions about CAM therapy use were associated with better overall patient ratings of quality of care.

Conclusion. Use of CAM therapies was common among Chinese and Vietnamese Americans who had limited proficiency with the English language. Although discussions about CAM therapy use with clinicians were uncommon, these discussions were associated with better ratings of quality of care.
The Environmental Protection Agency’s Brownfields Pilot Program
Authors: Greenberg Michael R. , Hollander Justin
Published: December 2005

Objective. We studied the diffusion of the US Environmental Protection Agency’s national brownfields pilot innovation to more than 300 local governments between 1993 through 2002 to determine why some local governments received grants very early in the process while other awardees received funding later.

Methods. We did an ordinal regression analysis of the characteristics of all local government award recipients, and we conducted interviews with early-award recipients.

Results. The first set of local government awardees had lost much of their manufacturing base, had large concentrations of economically disadvantaged minority residents, and had local capacity to compete for funding. Federal and state officials catalyzed the diffusion of the innovation by working with local governments.

Conclusions. The widely praised program was diffused selectively at first and then more widely later on the basis of local need, local capacity to compete, and networks of contacts among entrepreneurs and local governments. The economic, social, political, and public health impacts must be monitored and reviewed.
Epidemiology and Correlates of Daily Smoking and Nicotine Dependence Among Young Adults in the United States
Authors: Hu Mei-Chen , Davies Mark , Kandel Denise B.
Published: December 2005

Objectives. We describe the epidemiology of smoking behaviors in a national young adult sample and identify common and unique demographic, social, and psychological correlates of daily smoking and lifetime and current nicotine dependence by race/ethnicity.

Methods. Data are from the National Longitudinal Survey of Adolescent Health, wave III. Dependence was measured by the Revised Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence. Logistic regressions were estimated.

Results. Hispanic ethnicity, low education, parental and peer smoking, novelty seeking, early age of smoking onset, and pleasurable initial smoking experiences are significantly correlated with daily smoking and lifetime nicotine dependence. Depressive symptoms are uniquely associated with lifetime and current dependence. Few factors are highly associated with current dependence. Initial sensitivity to smoking has a significantly greater impact on daily smoking than on dependence. Correlates of smoking behaviors are mostly common across racial/ethnic groups, although parental and peer smoking are significant for Whites and Hispanics but not for African Americans.

Conclusions. There are more common than unique correlates of each smoking stage and across racial/ethnic groups. Primary prevention and interventions addressing the factors tested could be uniform for most chronic smokers irrespective of dependence status and race/ethnicity.
Feasibility of Screening Adolescents for Suicide Risk in “Real-World” High School Settings
Authors: Hallfors Denise , Brodish Paul H. , Khatapoush Shereen , Sanchez Victoria , Cho Hyunsan , Steckler Allan
Published: December 2005

Objectives. We evaluated the feasibility of a population-based approach to preventing adolescent suicide.

Methods. A total of 1323 students in 10 high schools completed the Suicide Risk Screen. Screening results, student follow-up, staff feedback, and school responses were assessed.

Results. Overall, 29% of the participants were rated as at risk of suicide. As a result of this overwhelming percentage, school staffs chose to discontinue the screening after 2 semesters. In further analyses, about half of the students identified were deemed at high risk on the basis of high levels of depression, suicidal ideation, or suicidal behavior. Priority rankings evidenced good construct validity on correlates such as drug use, hopelessness, and perceived family support.

Conclusions. A simpler, more specific screening instrument than the Suicide Risk Screen would identify approximately 11% of urban high school youths for assessment, offering high school officials an important opportunity to identify young people at the greatest levels of need and to target scarce health resources. Our experiences from this study show that lack of feasibility testing greatly contributes to the gap between science and practice.
Associations of Neighborhood Characteristics With the Location and Type of Food Stores
Authors: Moore Latetia V. , Diez Roux Ana V.
Published: December 2005

Objectives. We investigated associations between local food environment and neighborhood racial/ethnic and socioeconomic composition.

Methods. Poisson regression was used to examine the association of food stores and liquor stores with racial/ethnic composition and income in selected census tracts in North Carolina, Maryland, and New York.

Results. Predominantly minority and racially mixed neighborhoods had more than twice as many grocery stores as predominantly White neighborhoods (for predominantly Black tracts, adjusted stores per population ratio [SR]=2.7; 95% confidence interval [CI]=2.2, 3.2; and for mixed tracts, SR=2.2; 95% CI=1.9, 2.7) and half as many supermarkets (for predominantly Black tracts, SR=0.5; 95% CI=0.3, 0.7; and for mixed tracts, SR=0.7; 95% CI=0.5, 1.0, respectively). Low-income neighborhoods had 4 times as many grocery stores as the wealthiest neighborhoods (SR=4.3; 95% CI=3.6, 5.2) and half as many supermarkets (SR=0.5; 95% CI=0.3, 0.8). In general, poorer areas and non-White areas also tended to have fewer fruit and vegetable markets, bakeries, specialty stores, and natural food stores. Liquor stores were more common in poorer than in richer areas (SR=1.3; 95% CI=1.0, 1.6).

Conclusions. Local food environments vary substantially by neighborhood racial/ethnic and socioeconomic composition and may contribute to disparities in health.
“Weathering” and Age Patterns of Allostatic Load Scores Among Blacks and Whites in the United States
Authors: Geronimus Arline T. , Hicken Margaret , Keene Danya , Bound John
Published: December 2005

Objectives. We considered whether US Blacks experience early health deterioration, as measured across biological indicators of repeated exposure and adaptation to stressors.

Methods. Using National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data, we examined allostatic load scores for adults aged 18–64 years. We estimated probability of a high score by age, race, gender, and poverty status and Blacks’ odds of having a high score relative to Whites’ odds.

Results. Blacks had higher scores than did Whites and had a greater probability of a high score at all ages, particularly at 35–64 years. Racial differences were not explained by poverty. Poor and nonpoor Black women had the highest and second highest probability of high allostatic load scores, respectively, and the highest excess scores compared with their male or White counterparts.

Conclusions. We found evidence that racial inequalities in health exist across a range of biological systems among adults and are not explained by racial differences in poverty. The weathering effects of living in a race-conscious society may be greatest among those Blacks most likely to engage in high-effort coping.
Breastfeeding Duration and Perinatal Cigarette Smoking in a Population-Based Cohort
Authors: Liu Jihong , Rosenberg Kenneth D. , Sandoval Alfredo P.
Published: December 2005

Objectives. We examined the association between breastfeeding duration and maternal smoking before, during, and after pregnancy.

Methods. Data from the 2000–2001 Oregon Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System were used. Early weaning was defined as not breastfeeding at 10 weeks postpartum.

Results. At 10 weeks after pregnancy, 25.7% of mothers who initiated breastfeeding no longer breastfed. After controlling for confounders, quitters (mothers who quit smoking during pregnancy and maintained quit status after pregnancy) and postpartum relapsers (mothers who quit smoking during pregnancy and resumed smoking after delivery) did not have significantly higher risk for early weaning than nonsmokers. However, persistent smokers (mothers who smoked before, during, and after pregnancy) were 2.18 times more likely not to breastfeed at 10 weeks (95% confidence interval=1.52, 2.97). Women who smoked10 or more cigarettes per day postpartum (i.e., heavy postpartum relapsers and heavy persistent smokers) were 2.3–2.4 times more likely to wean their infants before 10 weeks than were nonsmokers.

Conclusions. Maternal smoking is associated with early weaning. Stopping smoking during pregnancy and decreasing the number of cigarettes smoked postpartum may increase breastfeeding duration.
Dealing With an Innovative Industry: A Look at Flavored Cigarettes Promoted by Mainstream Brands
Authors: Lewis M. Jane , Wackowski Olivia
Published: December 2005

Product and marketing innovation is key to the tobacco industry’s success. One recent innovation was the development and marketing of flavored cigarettes as line extensions of 3 popular brands (Camel, Salem, and Kool). These products have distinctive blends and marketing as well as innovative packaging and have raised concerns in the public health community that they are targeted at youths.

Several policy initiatives have aimed at banning or limiting these types of products on that basis. We describe examples of the products and their marketing and discuss their potential implications (including increased smoking experimentation, consumption, and “someday smoking”), as well as their potential impact on young adults.
Diarrheal Illness Detected Through Syndromic Surveillance After a Massive Power Outage: New York City, August 2003
Authors: Marx Melissa A. , Rodriguez Carla V. , Greenko Jane , Das Debjani , Heffernan Richard , Karpati Adam M. , Mostashari Farzad , Balter Sharon , Layton Marcelle , Weiss Don
Published: December 2005

Objectives. We investigated increases in diarrheal illness detected through syndromic surveillance after a power outage in New York City on August 14, 2003.

Methods. The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene uses emergency department, pharmacy, and absentee data to conduct syndromic surveillance for diarrhea. We conducted a case–control investigation among patients presenting during August 16 to 18, 2003, to emergency departments that participated in syndromic surveillance. We compared risk factors for diarrheal illness ascertained through structured telephone interviews for case patients presenting with diarrheal symptoms and control patients selected from a stratified random sample of nondiarrheal patients.

Results. Increases in diarrhea were detected in all data streams. Of 758 patients selected for the investigation, 301 (40%) received the full interview. Among patients 13 years and older, consumption of meat (odds ratio [OR]=2.7, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.2, 6.1) and seafood (OR=4.8; 95% CI=1.6, 14) between the power outage and symptom onset was associated with diarrheal illness.

Conclusions. Diarrhea may have resulted from consumption of meat or seafood that spoiled after the power outage. Syndromic surveillance enabled prompt detection and systematic investigation of citywide illness that would otherwise have gone undetected.
Weight of the Evidence or Wait for the Evidence? Protecting Underground Miners From Diesel Particulate Matter
Authors: Monforton Celeste
Published: December 2005

A coalition of mine operators has used a variety of tactics to obstruct scientific inquiry and impede public health action designed to protect underground miners from diesel particulate matter. These workers are exposed to the highest level of diesel particulate matter compared with any other occupational group.

This case study profiles a decade-long saga of the Methane Awareness Resource Group Diesel Coalition to impede epidemiological studies on diesel exhaust undertaken by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health and the National Cancer Institute, and to derail a health standard promulgated by the Mine Safety and Health Administration. The case study highlights the coalition’s mastery of legislative, judicial, and executive branch operations and the reaction of policymakers.
Did Prohibition Really Work? Alcohol Prohibition as a Public Health Innovation
Authors: Blocker Jack S.
Published: December 2005

The conventional view that National Prohibition failed rests upon an historically flimsy base. The successful campaign to enact National Prohibition was the fruit of a century-long temperance campaign, experience of which led prohibitionists to conclude that a nationwide ban on alcohol was the most promising of the many strategies tried thus far. A sharp rise in consumption during the early 20th century seemed to confirm the bankruptcy of alternative alcohol-control programs.

The stringent prohibition imposed by the Volstead Act, however, represented a more drastic action than many Americans expected. Nevertheless, National Prohibition succeeded both in lowering consumption and in retaining political support until the onset of the Great Depression altered voters’ priorities. Repeal resulted more from this contextual shift than from characteristics of the innovation itself.
SPLATTER! SPLATTER! SPLATTER! Workers’ Health and the Spray Machine Debate
Authors: Frounfelker Rochelle L.
Published: December 2005

A conflict between industrialization and worker health developed in the painting industry during the early 1900s with the introduction of the spray machine. This technological innovation allowed the application of paint at greater speed and lower cost than hand painting and increased the rate at which painters were exposed to lead and other toxins contained in paint.

From roughly 1919 to 1931, the painters’ trade union clashed with employers, paint manufacturers, and legislatures over the impact of the spray machine on the health of workers and the need to enact legislation to regulate its use. While painters made gains on local, state, and national levels during the 1920s to prevent the use of the spray machine, their efforts ultimately failed.
The Future of Materials Research
Authors: Levy E.
Published: December 2005

Materials science continues to prove to be a fertile ground for innovative research, as demonstrated by the recent Materials Research Society meeting in Boston, which broke records for attendance, and by the continuing success of Advanced Materials, which broke records for submissions, downloads, and published Communications in 2005.
Maternal age at the birth of the first child as an epistatic factor in polygenic disorders
Authors: Comings David E. , MacMurray James P.
Published: December 2005

The identification of the genes for complex, polygenic disorders has proven difficult. This is due to the small effect size of each gene and genetic heterogeneity. An additional important factor could be the presence of unidentified epistatic factors. In the broad definition of epistasis, the effect of one unit is not predicable unless the value of another unit is known and one of the units may not be a gene. We have previously identified maternal age as an epistatic factor for the effect of the LEP gene on the age of onset of menarche. We report here the effect of maternal age and the age of the mother at the birth of her first child (maternal age 1st) as epistatic factors for the interaction of the dopamine D1 gene (DRD1) with obsessive‐compulsive behaviors and with stuttering. The epistatic effects of maternal age 1st were stronger than maternal age. This type of epistatic factor may be generalizable to many other gene–trait interactions. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Genetic liability to schizophrenia or bipolar disorder and its relationship to brain structure
Authors: McIntosh Andrew M. , Job Dominic E. , Moorhead William J. , Harrison Lesley K. , Whalley Heather C. , Johnstone Eve C. , Lawrie Stephen M.
Published: December 2005

Bipolar disorder and schizophrenia are highly heritable conditions that are associated with structural brain abnormalities. Although brain abnormalities are found in the well relatives of people with schizophrenia, the extent to which genetic liability relates to brain structure in either disorder is still unclear. This study sought to ascertain the effects of genetic liability to schizophrenia and bipolar disorder on white and grey matter volume in patients with these diagnoses and their well relatives. Seventy‐one patients and 72 unaffected relatives were recruited for the study. Patients included those with schizophrenia from families affected by schizophrenia alone, those with bipolar disorder from families affected by bipolar disorder alone and those with bipolar disorder from families affected by both bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. Samples of unaffected relatives of each patient group were also recruited. Subjects underwent an MRI scan of the brain, which was analysed using optimised voxel‐based morphometry (VBM). Grey and white matter volume was then related to a continuous measure of genetic liability based on a threshold‐liability model. Genetic liability to schizophrenia was associated with decreased grey matter volume in dorso‐ (DLPFC) and ventrolateral prefrontal (VLPFC) cortices. The relationship remained after diagnostic status had been taken into account. Complementary white matter changes were also demonstrated. No relationship was demonstrated between a genetic liability to bipolar disorder and either white or grey matter volume. Genes that raise the likelihood of developing schizophrenia may exert their effects by diminishing grey matter volume in the DLPFC and VLPFC and their associated white matter connections. Genes for bipolar illness might have subtle effects on brain structure, which may need particularly large samples to detect. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Association study of a functional promoter polymorphism in theXBP1gene and schizophrenia
Authors: Jönsson Erik G. , Cichon Sven , Schumacher Johannes , Jamra Rami Abou , Schulze Thomas G. , Deschner Monica , Forslund Kaj , Hall Håkan , Propping Peter , Czerski Piotr M. , Dmitrak‐Weglarz Monica , Kapelski Pawel , Driessen Martin , Maier Wolfgang , Hauser Joanna , Rietschel Marcella , Nöthen Markus M.
Published: December 2005

A functional promoter polymorphism (−116C/G) of the X‐box binding protein 1 gene (XBP1) gene was reported to be associated with schizophrenia in Asian subjects. In a replication attempt, three European case‐control samples comprising 2,182 German, Polish, and Swedish subjects, were genotyped for theXBP1−116C/G polymorphism. Allele and genotype frequencies were compared between schizophrenic patients and control subjects. There were no significant case‐control differences in any of the three samples, although in a meta‐analysis with previous results comprising 3,612 subjects there was a borderline association between the −116G‐containing genotypes and schizophrenia. We conclude that the functionalXBP1gene polymorphism is not of major importance to schizophrenia in the European populations investigated. It cannot be excluded, however, that theXBP1polymorphism is involved in schizophrenia in other populations or adds minor susceptibility to the disorder. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Synthesis of liquid crystalline–amorphous block copolymers by combination of CFRP and ATRP mechanisms
Authors: Serhatli I. Ersin , Kacar Turgay
Published: December 2005

Block copolymers of liquid crystalline 6‐(4‐cyanobiphenyl‐4′‐oxy) hexyl acrylate (LC6) and styrene (St) were obtained by the combination of two different free‐radical polymerization mechanisms namely conventional free‐radical polymerization (CFRP) and atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). In the first part, thermosensitive azo alkyl halide, difunctional initiator (AI), was prepared and then used for CFRP of LC6 monomer. The obtained bromine‐ended difunctional liquid crystalline polymers (PLC6) were used as initiators in ATRP of St, in bulk in conjunction with CuBr/N,N,N′,N″,N″‐pentamethyldiethylenetriamine (PMDETA) as catalyst. In the second part, AI was firstly polymerized by CFRP in the presence of St and then the obtained difunctional bromine ended polystyrenes (PSt) were used as initiators in ATRP of LC6 in diphenyl ether solvent in conjuction with CuBr/PMDETA. The spectral, thermal, and optical measurements confirmed a fully controlled living polymerization, which results in formation of ABA‐type block copolymers with very narrow polydispersities. In both cases, blocks of the different chemical composition were segregated in the solid and melt phases. The mesophase transition temperatures of the liquid crystalline block were found to be very similar to those of the corresponding homopolymers. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2006
Stabilization of poly(vinyl chloride) by elemental sulfur
Authors: Akhmetkhanov Rinat M. , Kolesov Sergej V. , Nagumanova Elmira I. , Kabalnova Natalya N. , Akhmetkhanov Ruslan R. , Zaikov Gennadi E.
Published: December 2005

The process of stabilization of a poly(vinylchloride) elemental sulfur in thermal and thermooxidative destruction conditions is investigated. The high stabilizing efficiency of elemental sulfur is revealed at the destruction of plasticized poly(vinylchloride) compared with the efficiency of phenolic antioxidants. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2006
A chelating cellulose adsorbent for the removal of Cu(II) from aqueous solutions
Authors: O'Connell D. W. , Birkinshaw C. , O'Dwyer T. F.
Published: December 2005

Regenerated cellulose wood pulp was grafted with the vinyl monomer glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) using ceric ammonium nitrate as initiator and was further fuctionalised with imidazole to produce a novel adsorbent material, cellulose‐g‐GMA‐imidazole. All cellulose, grafted cellulose and functionalized cellulose grafts were physically and chemically characterized using a number of analytical techniques, including elemental analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, differential thermal analysis, and scanning electron microscopy. The cellulose‐g‐GMA material was found to contain 1.75 mmol g−1 epoxy groups. These epoxy groups permitted introduction of metal binding functionality to produce the cellulose‐g‐GMA‐imidazole final product. Following characterization, a series of adsorption studies were carried out on the cellulose‐g‐GMA‐imidazole to assess its capacity in the removal of Cu2+ ions from solution. Cellulose‐g‐GMA‐imidazole sorbent showed an uptake of ∼70 mg g−1 of copper from aqueous solution. The adsorption process is best described by the Langmuir model of adsorption, and the thermodynamics of the process suggest that the binding process is mildly exothermic. The kinetics of the adsorption process indicated that copper uptake occurred within 30 min and that pseudo‐second‐order kinetics best describe the overall process. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2006
Effects of physical confinement (< 125 nm) on the curing behavior of phenolic resin
Authors: Amanuel Samuel , Malhotra Vivak M.
Published: December 2005

How the physical confinement of phenolic resin in nano porous silica (8 nm ≤ pore diameter (Dp) ≤ 125 nm) affected the polymer's curing behavior was examined by conducting differential scanning calorimetry experiments at 320 K ≤ T ≤500 K. Our results suggested that upon incorporating the phenolic resin into the silica, its curing temperature was lowered. However, what was interesting was that there was an inverse linear dependence between the pore size and the curing temperature, i.e., the smaller the pore diameter the higher the curing temperature. There was evidence that phenolic resin was unable to penetrate into 8 nm‐sized pores. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2006
Synthesis of a water‐soluble fullerene derivative nanoball and its biological activity
Authors: Jiang Guichang , Zheng Qixing , Yang Dazhi
Published: December 2005

A novel fullerene–acrylamide copolymer was synthesized via radical polymerization. It is soluble in polar solvents such as water and dimethyl sulfoxide. The product was characterized by FTIR, UV–vis, and GPC. TEM analysis showed that the average particle diameter was about 46 nm. The in vitro antitumor activity of the fullerene–acrylamide derivatives was tested, and the results showed that the novel fullerene–acrylamide derivatives exhibited better antitumor activity in vitro against bone tumor cells. The cytotoxicity against the tumor cell mechanism of the fullerene copolymer nanoball was studied. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2006
Low‐frequency sound absorption of organic hybrid comprised of chlorinated polyethylene and N,N′‐dicyclohexyl‐2‐benzothiazolyl sulfenamide
Authors: Akasaka Shuichi , Tobusawa Taiki , Tominaga Yoichi , Asai Shigeo , Sumita Masao
Published: December 2005

We investigated the sound absorption characteristics of an organic hybrid material comprised of chlorinated polyethylene (CPE) as the matrix polymer and N,N′‐dicyclohexyl‐2‐benzothiazolyl sulfenamide (DBS) as the second component of an organic low‐molecular‐weight compound. We found specific crystallites, obtained by annealing, that generated new absorption for a low‐frequency sound in a CPE/DBS blend. We observed two sound absorption peaks, around 300 and 1000 Hz, in the annealed CPE/DBS (50 : 50 w/w) blends, whereas those peaks were not observed in the untreated sample. There were two kinds of crystals with different melting points in the annealed samples. It was confirmed that the crystals with the lower melting point brought about sound absorption at a low frequency. The crystals that had the lower melting point were smaller and/or more disordered than the crystals that had the higher melting point. We calculated the fraction of these two types of crystals from differential scanning calorimetry and wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction measurements. The annealing or reannealing temperature specified the fraction of the crystal with the lower melting point, and the obtained crystal fraction characterized sound absorption frequency. Therefore, it is possible to control the sound absorption frequency of an organic hybrid by heat treatment such as annealing. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2006
Bench‐scale studies of poly(vinyl chloride) fires with water mist
Authors: Qin J. , Chow W. K.
Published: December 2005

Bench‐scale tests to study the effect of water mist on burning solid poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) were carried out with a cone calorimeter. Water mist was discharged from a small nozzle under two operating pressures, 0.4 and 0.7 MPa. The corresponding water flow rates were 103.5 and 134 mL/min, respectively. The cone angle of the discharged water spray was 90°, and the volume mean diameter of the mist was about 90 μm. The results were useful in understanding the effects of discharging water mist to suppress the diffusion flame from burning PVC. The reignition process also was studied. The testing method was appropriate for studying the interaction between water mist with smaller droplets and the diffusion flame in a confined space. There, the combined effects of oxygen displacement, gas phase, and fuel surface cooling were the key extinguishing mechanisms. The critical water mist application rate on burning PVC under different thermal radiative heat fluxes was able to be determined. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 99: 2520–2527, 2006
Poly(methyl methacrylate)/SIO2 hybrid membranes: Effect of solvents on structural and thermal properties
Authors: Zulfikar Muhammad Ali , Mohammad A. Wahab , Kadhum Abdul Amir , Hilal Nidal
Published: December 2005

In this paper, hybrid organic–inorganic membranes were prepared using three different solvents and characterized. The hybrid membranes were fabricated using sol–gel technique, which had polymethyl‐methacrylate (PMMA) and tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) as materials, with 80/20 ratio. The thin films were then characterized using FTIR, SEM, EDX, and mapping techniques. From the preliminary characterization, hybrid membranes were found to have nano and ultra scale tight‐pores ranges, which was influenced by the solvent used. The SEM images clearly show that hybrid membranes have homogenous and smooth surface. FTIR spectroscopy uncovered all the signature peaks characteristic of silicate structures in the near‐surface regions. Fingerprints of SiOSi groups in cyclic and linear molecular substructures were also present. From DSC analysis, the Tg value of the PMMA moieties in hybrids membranes was in the order H‐15‐Toluene < Pure PMMA < H‐15‐THF < H‐15‐DMF. Furthermore, from TGA analysis it was found that the hybrid membranes have higher thermal stability compared with that of pure PMMA. EDX and mapping analysis showed that the composition and distribution of particles in the membranes were different and dependent on the solvents used. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2006
Synthesis and characterization of novel biocidal cyclodextrin inclusion complexes grafted onto polyamide‐6 fabric by a redox method
Authors: Gawish S. M. , Ramadan A. M. , Mosleh S. , Morcellet M. , Martel B.
Published: December 2005

The synthesis of immobilized β‐cyclodextrin derivatives onto polyamide‐6 fabric is presented. These novel fabrics were prepared by graft‐copolymerization of glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) onto polyamide 6 fabric, using a chemical redox system K2S2O8/CuSO4·5H2O, followed by reaction of β‐cyclodextrins (CD) or monochlorotriazinyl (MCT β‐CD) with the GMA epoxy group. Some biocidal guests were complexed into CD cavity including p‐hydroxy benzoic acid, AgNO3–ethanolamine mixture, iodine, N,N‐diethyltoluamide (DETA), citronella, jasmine, and sweet basil. Characterization of the novel fabrics was done by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (IR), electron scanning microscopy (SEM), and thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA). The biocidal activity of the grafted fabrics was tested against five strains of microorganisms. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 99: 2586–2593, 2006
A novel devulcanization technology for vulcanized natural rubber
Authors: Jana G. K. , Mahaling R. N. , Das C. K.
Published: December 2005

Devulcanization of waste rubber poses a challenging environmental, economical, and disposal problem in the world because of their cross‐linked three‐dimensional network structure. Devulcanization of gum natural rubber vulcanizate containing three different sulfur/accelerator ratios was carried out in 90°C for 10 min with the help of open two‐roll cracker cum mixing mill in presence and absence of thiol acid as a devulcanizing agent. The vulcanizate properties markedly depended on devulcanizing agent and also devulcanization techniques. Revulcanized rubber obtained by devulcanizing with thiol acid offered better mechanical properties. Decrease in scorch time and increase in rheometric torque were observed for revulcanized rubber containing devulcanizing agent. The onset degradation temperature largely depended on presence of thiol acid. IR spectroscopic results revealed that the main polymeric chain did not oxidize at the time of milling above the room temperature. Increase in storage modulus and decrease in loss modulus were observed for revulcanized rubber from DMA study. The SEM was considered to study the failure mechanism and homogeneity of the vulcanizate. By adopting this devulcanization technique, more than 85% mechanical property of vulcanized natural rubber was retained. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 99: 2831–2840, 2006
The Calculation of Thermal Movements and Eigenstresses in the Leaning Tower of Pisa
Authors: Froli Maurizio , Ulivieri Enrico
Published: December 2005

Starting from predicted yearly and daily distributions of the temperature fields induced by climatic actions over the cross‐sections of the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the correlated time histories of thermal movements and eigenstresses have been calculated by simply assimilating the monument to a prismatic, inhomogeneous elastic body. Comparisons performed between calculated and measured daily and seasonal thermal displacements evidenced a good prediction capability of the model and its attitude to be used as an interpretation tool to understand also thermal periodical movements in other tower‐shaped buildings.
Untersuchungen zur Homogenität von Bauwerksteilen mit Lasertechniken
Authors: Erfurt Wolfgang , Tatarin René , Thurow Torsten
Published: December 2005

Das Teil projekt B1 “Diagnostik und Qualitätskontrolle durch zerstörungsfreie, berührungslose Prüfverfahren” arbeitet innerhalb des SFB 524 an der verfahrens‐ und meßtechnischen Weiterentwicklung des konventionellen Ultraschall‐Transmissionsverfahrens zur optischen Meßmethode unter Anwendung von Lasertechniken. Die Zielstellung ist die Bestimmung der Verteilung von elastischen Kennwerten zur Bewertung von Laborprobekörpern bei Untersuchungen zur Dauerhaftigkeit von Beton und zur Erfassung des Ist‐Zustandes von Bauwerksteilen bei der Revitalisierung von Bauwerken. Dabei erfolgt die laserinduzierte Schallanregung durch einen Nd:YAG‐Laser und die Erfassung der vom Untersuchungsobjekt beeinflußten Schallwellen durch ein Laservibrometer. Die Anwendung dieser Methoden läßt eine hohe Meßgeschwindigkeit und eine hohe erzielbare Datendichte erwarten, da die Laserstrahlen bei beiden Systemen durch Scanner optisch ausgelenkt werden können. Weiterhin wurde eine vermessungstechnische Methode zur Bestimmung des Schallweges an jedem Meßpunktpaar entwickelt, die auch für die konventionelle Durchführung des Ultraschall‐Transmissionsverfahrens genutzt werden kann.