bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Layer-silicates in the contact zone between granite and serpentinite, jordanów, lower Silesia, Poland
Authors: Dubińska E. , Wiewióra A.
Published: November 2006

Chlorite belonging to subfamily C, vermiculite 2MB-VII-meso, talc and a monoclinic amphibole were identified in rocks from a contact zone between highly tectonized granite and serpentinite at Jordanów, Lower Silesia, Poland. K-saturated vermiculite readily produced a phlogopite-like structure 1M-I (3TA-IV) indicating trioctahedral mica to be its precursor. Spatial relations of the mineral assemblages were compared with published experimental data and used to produce a tentative model of the geological evolution of the rocks and minerals, which include four episodes of mineral development separated by three tectonic events.
Cation site occupancy in chlorites and illites as a function of temperature
Authors: Cathelineau M.
Published: November 2006

The relationships between the composition and the crystallization temperature of chlorites and illites have been investigated in different geothermal fields and in particular the Los Azufres system in Mexico, considered to be a natural analogue to experimental laboratories, as the main changes in physical and chemical conditions and mineralogy are related to progressively increasing temperature with depth. Temperature was estimated from combined geothermometric approaches, and especially from fluid inclusion studies on quartz coexisting with clays. The Al(IV) content in the tetrahedral site of chlorites, and the K content and total interlayer occupancy of illites increase with temperature. These chemical changes are mainly related to the marked decrease in the molar fraction of the Si(IV)-rich end-members (kaolinite for chlorites, and pyrophyllite for illites) which become negligible at ∼300°C. Other chemical changes, such as the variation in Fe and Mg contents, are partly influenced by temperature, but are strongly dependent on the geological environment, and consequently on the solution composition. The empirical relationships between chemical variables and temperature were calibrated from 150–300°C, but extrapolations at lower and higher temperatures seem possible for chlorites. Such geothermometers provide tools for estimating the crystallization temperature of the clays, and are important for the study of diagenetic, hydrothermal and low-T metamorphic processes.
Clay minerals as records of temperature conditions and duration of thermal anomalies in the Paris Basin, France
Authors: Clauer N. , O'neil J. R. , Furlan s.
Published: November 2006

Upper Triassic sandy horizons in the Paris Basin were sampled at depths ranging from outcrop in the northeast to 2,700 m in the centre of the basin. The smallest clay sub-fractions (<0.2 μm) from the deepest central samples consist mainly of illite and chlorite whose K-Ar age is ∼ 190 Ma. These minerals formed at a relatively high temperature of 220-250°C, as determined from the oxygen isotope fractionation between authigenic illite and associated quartz overgrowths, but at a burial depth of only 500 m. In a nearby drillhole that crosscuts a fault zone reactivated during the 190 Ma event, illite is less well-crystallized and has a higher δ18O value suggesting different physical and chemical conditions of formation during the same hydrothermal episode. Two other generations of illite-smectite mixed-layer clays formed in the same Triassic horizon: one at ∼150 Ma and the other at ∼80 Ma. These younger clays have higher δ18O values and thus may have formed at somewhat lower temperatures. The δ18O values of the fluids from which the different illite-smectite mixed-layer minerals form range from +9 to +13.5 per mil (SMOW).

An Ar diffusion code was used to estimate, on the basis of the Ar loss of the clay-type material, the duration of these events. The results suggest that the duration of the hydrothermal events at 190 Ma and 150 Ma were rather short, <1 Ma, whereas the youngest event was protracted over a much longer period of ∼37 Ma. Comparison between K-Ar ages of the different mixed-layer minerals and sedimentation rates of the sediments since the Palaeozoic shows significant accelerations of the rates at ∼ 190-200 Ma and 150 Ma, and a less important one at ∼80 Ma. These observations provide additional evidence that the first two events were promoted by basement-related tectono-thermal activities. The third event is considered to be of diagenetic origin.
Tschermak substitution as an indicator of palaeotemperature in Silurian K-bentonites from the Southern Uplands of Scotland and Northern Ireland
Authors: Pearce R. B. , Clayton T.
Published: November 2006

Chemical analyses of the <0.2 μm illite-smectite (I-S) fraction from K-bentonites in Silurian age sediments sampled from three different localities in the Southern Uplands of Scotland and Northern Ireland indicate that the I-S from the three localities shows differences in both K+ content and the degree of Tschermak substitution of octahedral Al3+ for Mg2+. The K+ content correlates with percentage expandability (%E) of I-S as determined by X-ray diffraction (XRD), but both these parameters show poor correlation with palaeotemperature as estimated by organic reflectance methods. Octahedral Mg2+ content shows an inverse correlation with Al3+, and both these parameters show a good correlation with estimated palaeotemperature. Although K-substitution has been retarded at Dob's Linn, the region subjected to the highest temperature, Tschermak substitution of Al3+ for Mg2+ has apparently continued. In these K-bentonites, Tschermak substitution appears to be a better indicator of palaeotemperature than K-substitution.
Thermogravimetry/evolved water analysis (TG/EWA) combined with XRD for improved quantitative whole-rock analysis of clay minerals in sandstones
Authors: Thornley D. M. , Primmer T. J.
Published: November 2006

Current methods of quantitative whole-rock clay mineral analysis of sandstones often provide little more than an estimate of clay mineral abundances, especially where the total clay mineral content is <10 wt% of the sandstone. More accurate determinations of clay mineral abundance in the whole rock can be made by combining thermogravimetry/evolved water analysis (TG/EWA) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) data. The TGA/EWA system incorporates a purpose built thermobalance linked to a water specific infrared detector which is used to measure quantitatively the clay mineral dehydroxylation water evolved from the whole rock when heated from 250°C to 900°C. This gives a measure of the total hydroxyl content of the clay minerals in the whole rock which, when combined with XRD analysis of a separated clay size-fraction, enables individual clay mineral abundances in the whole-rock sample to be determined. Results on artificial sand/clay mineral mixtures prepared with known amounts of different clay minerals (chlorite, illite and kaolinite) show that the accuracy of the combined method is most influenced by the accuracy of the XRD data. Errors associated with TG/EWA were found to be negligible by comparison. A case study is included in which the technique has been used to determine accurately the illite abundance in the Magnus Sandstone Reservoir, Northern North Sea.
The natural occurrence of x-alumina in lateritic pisolites
Authors: Singh Balbir , Gilkes R. J.
Published: November 2006

Pisolites in the bauxitic laterites of Darling Range, Western Australia may contain up to 50% AI2O3, although no major Al-containing phases can be identified using standard X-ray diffraction techniques. These pisolites have been investigated using a range of techniques, and it has been demonstrated that Al is present in the form of x-alumina, a poorly crystalline form of A12O3. The x-alumina exhibits an indurating morphology and appears to have formed from a hydrated precursor.
Mafic phyllosilicates in low-grade metabasites. Characterization using deconvolution analysis — discussion
Authors: Hillier S.
Published: November 2006

Any X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern of mixed-layered maximum R1 ordered chlorite-smectite has an exact equivalent R0 smectite-corrensite or R0 chlorite-corrensite. The identification of a mineral as chlorite (0.8)-smectite R1 is, therefore, not evidence that the fundamental layers in such an interstratified structure are actually chlorite and smectite. Furthermore, there are no obvious differences between XRD patterns of R0 and R1 chlorite-smectite at high or low smectite contents. Therefore the frequently supposed identification of R0 chlorite-smectite with high smectite contents is also questionable. It follows that the identification of R1 chlorite (0.8)-smectite by Robinson & Bevins (1994) and of R0 chlorite (≈0.2)-smectite in an earlier publication (Robinson et al.,1993) cannot be used as evidence regarding the debate over the nature of the component layers in interstratified minerals intermediate between trioctahedral smectite and chlorite.

Diffraction patterns of natural mixed-layer chlorite minerals from metabasites often show a strong reflection at 31 Å yet a lack of resolution of other mixed-layer peaks from those of discrete chlorite. These features cannot be matched by any single mixed-layer mineral consisting of layers of chlorite and smectite and were matched by Robinson & Bevins (1994) using a mixture of different chlorite-smectite minerals. However, they can be matched by a single chlorite-corrensite mineral in which there is an element of segregation of layer types. These different possibilities need to be investigated further.
The flow characteristics of halloysite suspensions
Authors: Theng B. K. G. , Wells N.
Published: November 2006

The rheology of aqueous suspensions of Na halloysites with different particle shape has been investigated using a Haake rotary viscometer. Three halloysites from New Zealand were used: Matauri Bay (MB), Te Akatea (TA) and Opotiki (Op) which are mainly composed of thick long tubules, short thin laths, and spherules, respectively. Suspensions of the materials subsequently prepared from the MB and TA samples show a pseudoplastic consistency under shear, characterized by a steep initial rise in shear stress as shear rate increases, followed by a linear increase in stress when a certain shear rate is exceeded. The Op halloysite, on the other hand, shows Newtonian flow behaviour for which shear stress increases linearly with shear rate throughout. For MB and TA, the shear stress developed during rotor acceleration is larger than that produced during deceleration, and the corresponding flow curves enclose a hysteresis loop. As suspension pH increases, the pseudoplastic character decreases as does the amount of hysteresis. Above pH 7.5, flow approaches Newtonian and hysteresis is absent. Plots of Bingham yield value against pH at different ionic strengths (0.003, 0.03 and 0.3 M NaCl) intersect at pH 6.0 for MB and at pH 7.1 for TA. These values are identified with the point of zero charge (PZC) of the particle edge surface. The flow characteristics of halloysites may be explained in terms of the influence of particle shape, pH, electrolyte concentrations, and layer composition on particle interactions.
Reconstruction of palaeothermal conditions in a passive margin using illite-smectite mixed-layer series (BA1 scientific deep drill-hole, Ardeche, France)
Authors: Renac C. , Meunier A.
Published: November 2006

The comparison between measured and predicted smectite percent (%Sm) in an illite-smectite (I-S) mixed-layer series was used to estimate the thermal conditions of diagenesis in the Ardèche sedimentary series. Measurements were performed using the decomposition procedure (Lanson & Besson, 1992) of XRD patterns obtained from oriented preparations (<0.2 μm fractions). Three particle populations were identified: I-S, poorly crystallized illite (PCI), and well crystallized illite (WCI); the %Sm was measured in the I-S population by comparison with calculated XRD patterns using the NEWMOD software (Reynolds, 1985). The theoretical evolution of %Sm with depth obtained with the two first-order kinetic reaction processes described by Velde & Vasseur (1992) was compared to the measured one at Balazuc. The best fit was obtained for the following conditions: 35°C km–1and between 1500 and 2000 m for the thermal gradient and the eroded piles, respectively. The predicted values for I-S compositions in the 10–0% Sm range are overestimated by the model because the reaction controlling the composition is no longer the dissolution of I-S but the ripening of illitic particles (PCI and WCI).

Two zones can be distinguished in the sedimentary series: (1) down to 55 m, the %Sm of I-S particles is highly variable and seems to be controlled by local variations in permeability and chemical composition; (2) down to 550 m, the %Sm of I-S particles is more strictly dependent on the general time-temperature conditions. An anomalously high %Sm value is located in the vicinity of faults at 1669 m due to local change of the water/rock ratio.
Distribution of Fe in the fine fractions of some Czech bentonites
Authors: Lego S. , Morháčová E. , Komadel P.
Published: November 2006

Distribution of Fe in the fine fractions of four Czech bentonites was investigated by M6ssbauer spectroscopy. The spectra at room and liquid nitrogen temperatures revealed that most Fe present in the samples is structurally bound in smectite. Microcrystalline and/or Al-substituted goethite was identified in all fine fractions, comprising 8 to 50% of total Fe. This mineral was partly magnetically ordered in the Rokle sample even at room temperature. Two per cent of total Fe was bound in hematite in the Krásný Dvoreček sample. Only octahedral Fe(III) was found in the Rokle and Stebno samples, while Krásný Dvoreček and Hroznětín contained 9 and 38%, respectively, of the total Fe as octahedral Fe(II) and 14% of total Fe was found as tetrahedral Fe(III) in Krásný Dvoreček.
Stable isotopic signatures of authigenic minerals in a Holocene ophiolitic debris flow, Southland, New Zealand
Authors: Craw D. , Blattner P. , Landis C. A.
Published: November 2006

Authigenic chrysotile, stevensite, calcite, aragonite and pectolite have formed together in a Holocene ophiolitic debris flow in Southland, New Zealand. Mineral growth occurred about 4700-5700 years ago. The temperature of formation of these minerals is estimated from climatological data to be 5–10°C Surface water and groundwater δ180 is currently about –10‰, and was estimated to be about –9.5±1‰ during mineralization. Coexisting calcite (δ180 = +23‰) and aragonite (δl8O = +24‰) were in equilibrium with each other and with the groundwater at 5–10°C Stevensite δ180 is +14 to +16‰, chrysotile has δ180 = +5.5‰, and authigenic pectolite has δ180 near +10‰. Carbon isotope ratios for calcite and aragonite are strongly depleted (δ13C = –13 to –18) which suggests that dissolved CO2 had δ13C below -27. This isotopically light carbon probably resulted from a high organic component of carbon dissolved in the groundwater.
Electron microscopy study of n-butylammonium vermiculite swelling
Authors: McCarney J. , Smalley M. V.
Published: November 2006

Electron microscopy was used to study swollen samples of n-butylammonium vermiculite prepared in dilute aqueous solutions of n-butylammonium chloride. Three electrolyte concentrations were studied, 0.1 M, 0.01 M and 0.001 M. The 0.1 M samples studied were in a taetoid phase, exhibiting crystalline legions of about ten layers separated by large irregular aqueous regions. The dilute samples were studied in their gel phase, exhibiting regular spacings of 85 nm and 55 nm in the 0.001 M and 0.01 M solutions, respectively. These spacings are much larger than those measured previously by neutron scattering, probably due to an additional expansion of the interlayers during the freezing process employed in preparing the replicas. In all examples, the structures were found to be lamellar over regions of several microns.
Interaction of Fe-oxyhydroxide colloidal particles with montmorillonite
Authors: Ferreiro E. A. , Helmy A. K. , De Bussetti S. G.
Published: November 2006

Interaction between positively charged Fe-oxyhydroxide (β-FeOOH) particles and negatively charged particles of montmorillonite was studied as a function of particle concentration, pH and time. The results showed that the clay particles appear to bridge between FeOOH particles leading to associations in which the ratio of positive to negative particles varied between 1.4 and 2.56 depending on pH and particle concentrations. The data could be represented by isotherms of interaction of the high affinity type and, together with the interaction kinetics, could be described by Langmuir type formulations.
New occurrence and characterization of Ni-serpentines in the Kwangcheon area, Korea
Authors: Song Y. , Moon H-S. , Chon H-T.
Published: November 2006

Pecoraite and nepouite, Ni-serpentines, occur in the serpentinized ultramafic rocks in the Kwangcheon area, Korea, where the parent rock is classified as harzburgite and/or lherzolite. Pecoraite was precipitated twice from the solution; the early-formed pecoraite coexists with magnetite, millerite, and polydymite both in the Buk- and Nam-sites, while the late-formed pecoraite appears as well-grown colloform and opaque-free phase only in the Buk-site. The typical colloform texture of the late-formed pecoraite strongly indicates that it was precipitated from the solution in supergene conditions. Pecoraite is characterized by its extremely high Ni content and the difference in Fe content between the early- and late-formed pecoraite. Nepouite is distinguished from pecoraite by its prismatic morphology and the large degree of isomorphous substitution between Ni and Mg. The phase relations among coexisting magnetite-millerite-polydymite assemblage with the early-formed pecoraite suggest that the pecoraite might have precipitated in the extremely limited fO2 and fs2 environment from the highly Ni-concentrated solutions and is stable at 25°C and 1 bar.
An approach to the genesis of palygorskite in a Neogene-Quaternary continental basin using principal factor analysis
Authors: Sánchez C. , Galán E.
Published: November 2006

The Carrión lacustrine basin (≈10 km2), central Spain, is filled with Neogene-Quaternary sediments (20–25 m thick) rich in palygorskite. Two clay units of ∼15 m thick are of particular interest in the basin. The lower one contains over 75% phyllosilicates (palygorskite up to 90%, smectites and illite) in marginal areas (facies A), and it is laterally bound by a distal facies (B) also rich in clay minerals (smectites and illite, and some palygorskite) and gypsum, and includes dolomitic marl intercalations. The composition at the top is primarily marly, with some gypsum (C). The upper clay unit, mainly clay-size material, (D) is rich in smectites, palygorskite and sepiolite, and contains carbonate intercalations near the top. A statistical treatment of the mineralogical and chemical composition data from 120 samples, using principal factor analysis, suggests that: (a) illite and smectite are detrital in origin; (b) palygorskite was formed by transformation of illite and smectite involving reaction with Mg; and (c) sepiolite was a neoformation product favoured by evaporation of silica- and Mg-bearing waters.
Aluminium phosphate mineralization from the hypogene La Vanguardia kaolin deposit (Chile)
Authors: Dill H. G. , Fricke A. , Henning K.-H. , Theune C. H.
Published: November 2006

In the region of Illapel, Chile, dioritic and andesitic rocks of Cretaceous to Paleocene age from the Unidad San Lorenzo Formation have suffered strong alteration resulting in the formation of a kaolin-rich zone, which is mined in the La Vanguardia open pit near Combarbalá. Detailed mineralogical and chemical investigations of channel samples from this mine, involving a combination of optical microscopy, XRD, SEM-EDX, XRF and TEM, permitted recognition of a zone of silicification and a zone of advanced argillic alteration, both of which contain alunite s.s. and aluminium-phosphate-sulphate (APS) minerals of the woodhouseite group with subordinate amounts of gorceixite, florencite and goyazite. These minerals are found to have originated from infiltration of meteoric waters. The passage from silicification into advanced argillic alteration was associated with an increase in sulphate activity as manifested by the increase of SO42— at the expense of PO43— in the alunite s.s. and by an increase of the Au content from 0.01 to 0.03 mg/kg Au. This high sulphidation type of wallrock alteration may be roughly compared with the Nansatu type of White (1991).
Definition of clay and clay mineral: joint report of the AIPEA and CMS Nomenclature Committees
Authors: Guggenheim s. , Martin R. T.
Published: November 2006

The definition of ‘clay’ was first formalized in 1546 by Agricola. It has been revised many times since, although the fundamentals involving plasticity, particle size, and hardening on firing were retained by most. For an exhaustive account of the history of the definition to 1963, the reader is referred to Mackenzie (1963). More recent developments may be found in Weaver (1989).

The definition of clay raises the important issue of clay constituents and, implicitly, the definition of ‘clay mineral'. Mackenzie (1963, p. 15) noted the inappropriateness of defining clay mineral as “any mineral which occurs in clay” since, among several reasons, it would include many accessory minerals that are not characteristic of clay.
Dehydration and rehydration of vermiculites: II. Phlogopitic Ca-vermiculite
Authors: Graf v. Reichenbach H. , Beyer J.
Published: November 2006

Dehydration and rehydration of a phlogopitic Ca-vermiculite were studied by thermoanalysis (TG, DSC) and by in situ X-ray powder diffractometry. A detailed analysis of the relationship between temperature and state of hydration of the vermiculite close to equilibrium at atmospheric pressure was rendered possible by use of low heating rates in combination with a fast recording position-sensitive detector. The results reveal the existence of a number of distinct states of hydration characterized by basal spacings of 1.515, 1.493, 1.473, 1.188, 1.176 and 0.95 nm. In confirmation of results obtained earlier with Mg-vermiculite, regular interstratification occurred at dehydration during the transition between two- to one- and between one- to zero-layer hydrates showing integral series of 00l reflections with basal spacings of 2.67 and 2.11 nm, respectively.
Etude d'une nacrite intercalée par du dimethylsulfoxide et n-methylacetamide
Authors: Ben Haj Amara A. , Ben Brahim J. , Besson G. , Pons C.H.
Published: November 2006

Resume

Une nacrite est intercalée par deux composés organiques polaires: le diméthylsulfoxide (DMSO) et le n-méthylacétamide (NMA). Les deux solvants ont des moments dipolaires très voisins (4 debyes) mais des constantes diélectriques différentes (49 pour le DMSO et 179 pour le NMA). L'intercalation du NMA est plus rapide que celle du DMSO. Les deux complexes homogènes obtenus sont étudiés par diffraction des rayons X, spectroscopie infrarouge et ATD. L'étude par spectroscopie IR a montré que la nacrite expansée par du DMSO se comporte comme la kaolinite expansée par le même solvant. Dans le cas de la nacrite intercalée par du NMA, trois nouvelles bandes d'absorption dues aux vibrations de valence des OH liés par pont hydrogène avec le groupement C=O et situées respectivement à 3500, 3543 et 3589 cm−1 apparaissent. La fréquence v(N-H) du NMA est intermédiaire entre celles du liquide et d'une solution diluée, indiquant une liaison par pont hydrogène probablement avec les oxygènes de la couche tétraédrique du silicate. La diffraction des rayons X sur des échantillons orientés nous a permis d'obtenir 13 réflexions 00l pour chaque complexe. Une étude quantitative, par transformée de Fourier monodimensionnelle dans la direction perpendiculaire au plan du feuillet, a permis de déterminer le nombre de molécules organiques intercalées (une molécule par Si2Al2O5(OH)4) et leur orientation dans l'espace interlamellaire. L'ATD a montré par ailleurs que le complexe Nac.DMSO est plus stable que le complexe Nac.NMA.
Acid activation of a Spanish sepiolite: II. Consideration of kinetics and physico-chemical modifications generated
Authors: Vicente Rodriguez M.A. , Lopez Gonzalez J.D. , Bañares Muñoz M.A. , Casado Linarejos J.
Published: November 2006

Sepiolite from Vallecas (Spain) was treated with HCl solutions (1.25; 2.5; 5.0; 10.0 and 20.0 wt%) at 25°C for 2, 6, 24 and 48 h. The solutions obtained after washing the acid treated samples were analysed and a kinetic model was applied to the cation dissolution data. The development of porosity and number of acid centres was studied. The experimental conditions which yield products with the highest surface activity were established. The size of the silica fibres, obtained after the treatment, decreases when the intensity of the treatments is increased. These characteristics are important for the adsorptive properties and the catalytic potential of a solid.
Fibrous clays in the Almazan Basin (Iberian Range, Spain): genetic pattern in a calcareous lacustrine environment
Authors: Lopez-Aguayo F. , Gonzalez Lopez J. M.
Published: November 2006

The Tertiary sediments of the southern part of Almazán basin (Province of Soria) exhibit two different facies with a sharp transition between them: (1) a coarse detrital facies; and (2) a lutite and carbonate facies. The vertical evolution of these facies in the different sections and boreholes is made up of several retrograde depositional sequences which evolve from proximal alluvial fans to carbonate lacustrine systems associated with the most distal fan sediments.

The variation of the mineralogical association (carbonates, quartz, detrital clay minerals, palygorskite and, occasionally, sepiolite and smectites) allows four ‘mineralogical facies’ to be established. Each facies has a distinctive mineralogy related to the main genetic processes: (1) detrital facies; (2) transitional facies; (3) ‘chemical dolomite-palygorskite’ facies and (4) ‘chemical calcite’ facies. Although the carbonates (calcite and dolomite) are always the most abundant minerals, fibrous clay minerals are also important. The main mechanism of mineral authigenesis in this basin is chemical precipitation; the presence and distribution of carbonates and fibrous clay minerals is controlled by the relative concentrations of [Mg2+], [Ca2+], pCO2, pH and [SiO4H4]. Palygorskite occurrences, in these conditions, are related to dissolution-precipitation mechanisms of pre-existing detrital material.
Ideal timing to transfer from an acute care hospital to an interdisciplinary inpatient rehabilitation program following a stroke: an exploratory study
Authors: Gagnon Dany , Nadeau Sylvie , Tam Vincent
Published: November 2006

Background

Timely accessibility to organized inpatient stroke rehabilitation services may become compromised since the demand for rehabilitation services following stroke is rapidly growing with no promise of additional resources. This often leads to prolonged lengths of stays in acute care facilities for individuals surviving a stroke. It is believed that this delay spent in acute care facilities may inhibit the crucial motor recovery process taking place shortly after a stroke. It is important to document the ideal timing to initiate intensive inpatient stroke rehabilitation after the neurological event. Therefore, the objective of this study was to examine the specific influence of short, moderate and long onset-admission intervals (OAI) on rehabilitation outcomes across homogeneous subgroups of patients who were admitted to a standardized interdisciplinary inpatient stroke rehabilitation program.

Methods

A total of 418 patients discharged from the inpatient neurological rehabilitation program at the Montreal Rehabilitation Hospital Network after a first stroke (79% of all cases reviewed) were included in this retrospective study. After conducting a matching procedure across these patients based on the degree of disability, gender, and age, a total of 40 homogeneous triads (n = 120) were formed according to the three OAI subgroups: short (less than 20 days), moderate (between 20 and 40 days) or long (over 40 days; maximum of 70 days) OAI subgroups. The rehabilitation outcomes (admission and discharge Functional Independence Measure scores (FIM), absolute and relative FIM gain scores, rehabilitation length of stay, efficiency scores) were evaluated to test for differences between the three OAI subgroups.

Results

Analysis revealed that the three OAI subgroups were comparable for all rehabilitation outcomes studied. No statistical difference was found for admission (P = 0.305–0.972) and discharge (P = 0.083–0.367) FIM scores, absolute (P = 0.533–0.647) and relative (P = 0.496–0.812) FIM gain scores, rehabilitation length of stay (P = 0.096), and efficiency scores (P = 0.103–0.674).

Conclusion

OAI does not seem to affect significantly inpatient stroke rehabilitation outcomes of patients referred from acute care facilities where rehabilitation services are rapidly initiated after the onset of the stroke and offered throughout their stay. However, other studies considering factors such as the type and intensity of the rehabilitation are required to support those results.
Feeding and fasting controls liver expression of a regulator of G protein signaling (Rgs16) in periportal hepatocytes
Authors: Huang Jie , Pashkov Victor , Kurrasch Deborah M , Yu Kan , Gold Stephen J , Wilkie Thomas M
Published: November 2006

Background

Heterotrimeric G protein signaling in liver helps maintain carbohydrate and lipid homeostasis. G protein signaling is activated by binding of extracellular ligands to G protein coupled receptors and inhibited inside cells by regulators of G protein signaling (RGS) proteins. RGS proteins are GTPase activating proteins, and thereby regulate Gi and/or Gq class G proteins. RGS gene expression can be induced by the ligands they feedback regulate, and RGS gene expression can be used to mark tissues and cell-types when and where Gi/q signaling occurs. We characterized the expression of mouse RGS genes in liver during fasting and refeeding to identify novel signaling pathways controlling changes in liver metabolism.

Results

Rgs16 is the only RGS gene that is diurnally regulated in liver ofad libitumfed mice. Rgs16 transcription, mRNA and protein are up regulated during fasting and rapidly down regulated after refeeding. Rgs16 is expressed in periportal hepatocytes, the oxygen-rich zone of the liver where lipolysis and gluconeogenesis predominates. Restricting feeding to 4 hr of the light phase entrained Rgs16 expression in liver but did not affect circadian regulation of Rgs16 expression in the suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN).

Conclusion

Rgs16 is one of a subset of genes that is circadian regulated both in SCN and liver. Rgs16 mRNA expression in liver responds rapidly to changes in feeding schedule, coincident with key transcription factors controlling the circadian clock. Rgs16 expression can be used as a marker to identify and investigate novel G-protein mediated metabolic and circadian pathways, in specific zones within the liver.
Effects of nerve growth factor (NGF) on blood vessels area and expression of the angiogenic factors VEGF and TGFbeta1 in the rat ovary
Authors: Julio-Pieper Marcela , Lara Hernán E , Bravo Javier A , Romero Carmen
Published: November 2006

Background

Angiogenesis is a crucial process in follicular development and luteogenesis. The nerve growth factor (NGF) promotes angiogenesis in various tissues. An impaired production of this neurotrophin has been associated with delayed wound healing. A variety of ovarian functions are regulated by NGF, but its effects on ovarian angiogenesis remain unknown. The aim of this study was to elucidate if NGF modulates 1) the amount of follicular blood vessels and 2) ovarian expression of two angiogenic factors: vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGFbeta1), in the rat ovary.

Results

In cultured neonatal rat ovaries, NGF increased VEGF mRNA and protein levels, whereas TGFbeta1 expression did not change. Sectioning of the superior ovarian nerve, which increases ovarian NGF protein content, augmented VEGF immunoreactivity and the area of capillary vessels in ovaries of prepubertal rats compared to control ovaries.

Conclusion

Results indicate that NGF may be important in the maintenance of the follicular and luteal vasculature in adult rodents, either indirectly, by increasing the expression of VEGF in the ovary, or directly via promoting the proliferation of vascular cells. This data suggests that a disruption on NGF regulation could be a component in ovarian disorders related with impaired angiogenesis.
Evaluation of methods for extraction of the volitional EMG in dynamic hybrid muscle activation
Authors: Langzam Eran , Isakov Eli , Mizrahi Joseph
Published: November 2006

Background

Hybrid muscle activation is a modality used for muscle force enhancement, in which muscle contraction is generated from two different excitation sources: volitional and external, by means of electrical stimulation (ES). Under hybrid activation, the overall EMG signal is the combination of the volitional and ES-induced components. In this study, we developed a computational scheme to extract the volitional EMG envelope from the overall dynamic EMG signal, to serve as an input signal for control purposes, and for evaluation of muscle forces.

Methods

A "synthetic" database was created fromin-vivoexperiments on the Tibialis Anterior of the right foot to emulate hybrid EMG signals, including the volitional and induced components. The database was used to evaluate the results obtained from six signal processing schemes, including seven different modules for filtration, rectification and ES component removal. The schemes differed from each other by their module combinations, as follows: blocking window only, comb filter only, blocking window and comb filter, blocking window and peak envelope, comb filter and peak envelope and, finally, blocking window, comb filter and peak envelope.

Results and conclusion

The results showed that the scheme including all the modules led to an excellent approximation of the volitional EMG envelope, as extracted from the hybrid signal, and underlined the importance of the artifact blocking window module in the process.

The results of this work have direct implications on the development of hybrid muscle activation rehabilitation systems for the enhancement of weakened muscles.
Clinical features and hormonal profiles of cloprostenol-induced early abortions in heifers monitored by ultrasonography
Authors: Lobago Fikre , Gustafsson Hans , Bekana Merga , Beckers Jean-François , Kindahl Hans
Published: November 2006

Background

The present study describes the clinical features and plasma profiles of bovine pregnancy-associated glycoprotein 1 (bPAG1), the main metabolite of prostaglandin F2α (PG metabolite) and progesterone (P4) in heifers in which early abortions were induced.

Methods

Early abortions were induced in four heifers with cloprostenol and monitored by ultrasonography. Blood samples were collected and the plasma were analyzed for bPAG 1, P4 and PG metabolite.

Results

The foetal heartbeat rates varied from 170–186 beats per minute for all foetuses up to the date of cloprostenol treatment. Foetal death was confirmed within two days after cloprostenol treatment. Prior to cloprostenol injection, blood plasma concentrations of bPAG1, PG metabolite and P4 varied from 8.4 – 40.0 ng/mL, 158 – 275 pmol/L and 20.7 – 46.9 nmol/L, respectively. After the foetus expelled, the plasma level of bPAG1 began to decrease but the decrease was small and gradual. The estimated half-life of bPAG1 was 1.8 – 6.6 days. The plasma level of the PG metabolite started to have short lasting peaks (above 300 pmol/L) within three hours after cloprostenol treatment. The plasma concentrations of P4 dropped sharply to less than 4 nmol/L after 24 hours of cloprostenol injection.

Conclusion

The current findings indicated that after early closprostenol-induced foetal death, the plasma concentration of bPAG1 decreased gradually and showed a tendency of variation with the stages of pregnancy.
Functional Corpora Lutea Are Formed in Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibitor-Treated Plasminogen-Deficient Mice
Authors: Wahlberg Patrik , Bodén Ida , Paulsson Josefin , Lund Leif R. , Liu Kui , Ny Tor
Published: November 2006

Corpus luteum (CL) formation involves dramatic tissue remodeling and angiogenesis. To determine the functional roles of the plasminogen activator and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) systems in these processes, we have studied CL formation and function in plasminogen (plg)-deficient mice, with or without treatment with the broad-spectrum synthetic MMP inhibitor galardin. Both the adult pseudopregnant CL model and the gonadotropin-primed immature mouse model were used. We found that CL formed normally not only in plasminogen-deficient mice and in galardin-treated wild-type mice, but also in galardin-treated plg-deficient mice, suggesting that neither of the plasminogen activator and MMP systems is essential for CL formation. Nevertheless, in plg-deficient mice, serum progesterone levels were reduced by approximately 50%, and the progesterone levels were not reduced further by galardin treatment. When CL from plg-deficient mice were stained for several molecular markers for CL development and regression, they appeared healthy and vascularized, and were indistinguishable from CL from wild-type mice. This implies that the reduced progesterone levels were not caused by impaired CL formation. Taken together, our data suggest that neither plasmin nor MMPs, alone or in combination, are required for CL formation. Therefore, the tissue remodeling and angiogenesis processes during CL formation may be mediated by redundant protease systems. However, the reduced serum progesterone levels in plg-deficient mice suggest that plasmin, but not MMPs, plays a role in maintenance of luteal function. This role may be performed through proteolytic activation of growth factors and other paracrine factors.
Inositide-Dependent Phospholipase C Signaling Mimics Insulin in Skeletal Muscle Differentiation by Affecting Specific Regions of the Cyclin D3 Promoter
Authors: Faenza Irene , Ramazzotti Giulia , Bavelloni Alberto , Fiume Roberta , Gaboardi Gian Carlo , Follo Matilde Y. , Gilmour R. Stewart , Martelli Alberto M. , Ravid Katya , Cocco Lucio
Published: November 2006

Our main goal in this study was to investigate the role of phospholipase C (PLC) β1 and PLCγ1 in skeletal muscle differentiation and the existence of potential downstream targets of their signaling activity. To examine whether PLC signaling can modulate the expression of cyclin D3, a target of PLCβ1 in erythroleukemia cells, we transfected C2C12 cells with expression vectors containing PLCβ1 or PLCγ1 cDNA and with small interfering RNAs from regions of the PLCβ1 or PLCγ1 gene and followed myogenic differentiation in this well-established cell system. Intriguingly, overexpressed PLCβ1 and PLCγ1 were able to mimic insulin induction of both cyclin D3 and muscle differentiation. By knocking down PLCβ1 or PLCγ1 expression, C2C12 cells almost completely lost the increase in cyclin D3, and the differentiation program was down-regulated. To explore the induction of the cyclin D3 gene promoter during this process, we used a series of 5′-deletions of the 1.68-kb promoter linked to a reporter gene and noted a 5-fold augmentation of promoter activity upon insulin stimulation. These constructs were also cotransfected with PLCβ1 or PLCγ1 cDNAs and small interfering RNAs, respectively. Our data indicate that PLCβ1 or PLCγ1 signaling is capable of acting like insulin in regard to both the myogenic differentiation program and cyclin D3 up-regulation. Taken together, this is the first study that hints at cyclin D3 as a target of PLCβ1 and PLCγ1 during myogenic differentiation in vitro and implies that up-regulation of these enzymes is sufficient to mimic the actions of insulin in this process.
Adrenal 20α-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase in the Mouse Catabolizes Progesterone and 11-Deoxycorticosterone and Is Restricted to the X-Zone
Authors: Hershkovitz Liat , Beuschlein Felix , Klammer Steffen , Krup Margalit , Weinstein Yacob
Published: November 2006

The enzyme 20α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (20α-HSD) is a progesterone-catabolizing enzyme that is highly expressed in mouse ovaries and adrenals. Although the functional significance of ovarian 20α-HSD for the induction of parturition has been defined, regulation and distribution of 20α-HSD in the adrenal gland has not been determined. We demonstrate that the expression of adrenal 20α-HSD is restricted to the X-zone, a transient zone between the adrenal cortex and the medulla of yet unknown function. Adrenal 20α-HSD activity in male mice peaks at 3 wk of age and disappears thereafter, whereas 20α-HSD enzyme activity is maintained in adrenals from nulliparous female animals. Testosterone treatment of female mice induces rapid involution of the X-zone that is associated with the disappearance of the 20α-HSD-positive cells. Conversely, reappearance of 20α-HSD expression and activity in male animals is evident after gonadectomy. Moreover, pregnancy, but not pseudopregnancy, is accompanied by X-zone regression and loss of 20α-HSD activity. Pregnancy-induced X-zone regression and -abolished 20α-HSD expression is partially restored in animals that were kept from nursing their pups. We found that in addition to its progesterone-reducing activity, 20α-HSD also functions as an 11-deoxycorticosterone-catabolizing enzyme. The unaltered growth kinetics of the X-zone in 20α-HSD knockout animals suggests that 20α-HSD is not required for the regulation of X-zone growth. However, 20α-HSD expression and enzymatic activity in all experimental paradigms is closely correlated with the presence of the X-zone. These findings provide the basis for 20α-HSD as a reliable marker of the murine X-zone.
Activation of Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor γ (PPARγ) by Rosiglitazone Suppresses Components of the Insulin-Like Growth Factor Regulatory System in Vitro and in Vivo
Authors: Lecka-Czernik B. , Ackert-Bicknell C. , Adamo M. L. , Marmolejos V. , Churchill G. A. , Shockley K. R. , Reid I. R. , Grey A. , Rosen C. J.
Published: November 2006

Rosiglitazone (Rosi) belongs to the class of thiazolidinediones (TZDs) that are ligands for peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ). Stimulation of PPARγ suppresses bone formation and enhances marrow adipogenesis. We hypothesized that activation of PPARγ down-regulates components of the IGF regulatory system, leading to impaired osteoblast function. Rosi treatment (1 μm) of a marrow stromal cell line (UAMS-33) transfected with empty vector (U-33/c) or with PPARγ2 (U-33/γ2) were analyzed by microarray. Rosi reduced IGF-I, IGF-II, IGFBP-4, and the type I and II IGF receptor (IGF1R and IGF2R) expression at 72 h in U-33/γ2 compared with U-33/c cells (P < 0.01); these findings were confirmed by RT-PCR. Rosi reduced secreted IGF-I from U-33/γ2 cells by 75% (P < 0.05). Primary marrow stromal cells (MSCs) extracted from adult (8 months) and old (24 months) C57BL/6J (B6) mice were treated with Rosi (1 μm) for 48 h. IGF-I, IGFBP-4, and IGF1R transcripts were reduced in Rosi-treated MSCs compared with vehicle (P < 0.01) and secreted IGF-I was also suppressed (P < 0.05). B6 mice treated with Rosi (20 mg/kg·d) for short duration (i.e. 4 d), and long term (i.e. 7 wk) had reduced serum IGF-I; this was accompanied by markedly suppressed IGF-I transcripts in the liver and peripheral fat of treated animals. To determine whether Rosi affected circulating IGF-I in humans, we measured serum IGF-I, IGFBP-2, and IGFBP-3 at four time points in 50 postmenopausal women randomized to either Rosi (8 mg/d) or placebo. Rosi-treated subjects had significantly lower IGF-I at 8 wk than baseline (−25%, P < 0.05), and at 16 wk their levels were reduced 14% vs. placebo (P = 0.15). We conclude that Rosi suppresses IGF-I expression in bone and liver; these changes could affect skeletal acquisition through endocrine and paracrine pathways.
The Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis Response to Stress in Mice Lacking Functional Vasopressin V1b Receptors
Authors: Lolait Stephen J. , Stewart Lesley Q. , Jessop David S. , Young W. Scott , O’Carroll Anne-Marie
Published: November 2006

The role of arginine vasopressin (Avp) as an ACTH secretagogue is mediated by the Avp 1b receptor (Avpr1b) found on anterior pituitary corticotropes. Avp also potentiates the actions of CRH (Crh) and appears to be an important mediator of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis response to chronic stress. To investigate the role of Avp in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis response to stress, we measured plasma ACTH and corticosterone (CORT) levels in Avpr1b knockout (KO) mice and wild-type controls in response to two acute (restraint and insulin administration) and one form of chronic (daily restraint for 14 d) stress. No significant difference was found in the basal plasma levels of ACTH and CORT between the two genotypes. Acute restraint (30 min) increased plasma ACTH and CORT to a similar level in both the Avpr1b mutant and wild-type mice. In contrast, plasma ACTH and CORT levels induced by hypoglycemia were significantly decreased in the Avpr1b KO mice when compared with wild-type littermates. There was no difference in the ACTH response to acute and chronic restraint in wild-type mice. In the Avpr1b KO group subjected to 14 sessions of daily restraint, plasma ACTH was decreased when compared with wild-type mice. On the other hand, the CORT elevations induced by restraint did not adapt in the Avpr1b KO or wild-type mice. The data suggest that the Avpr1b is required for the normal pituitary and adrenal response to some acute stressful stimuli and is necessary only for a normal ACTH response during chronic stress.
Coregulator Exchange and Sphingosine-Sensitive Cooperativity of Steroidogenic Factor-1, General Control Nonderepressed 5, p54, and p160 Coactivators Regulate Cyclic Adenosine 3′,5′-Monophosphate-Dependent Cytochrome P450c17 Transcription Rate
Authors: Dammer Eric B. , Leon Adam , Sewer Marion B.
Published: November 2006

Transcription of the cytochrome P450 17 (CYP17) gene is regulated by cAMP-dependent binding of steroidogenic factor-1 (SF-1) to its promoter in the adrenal cortex. Using temporal chromatin immunoprecipitation and mammalian two-hybrid experiments, we establish the reciprocal presence of coactivators [general control nonderepressed (GCN5), cAMP response element-binding protein-binding protein, p300, p300/cAMP response element-binding protein-binding protein CBP associated factor, p160s, polypyrimidine tract associated splicing factor, and p54nrb], corepressors (class I histone deacetylases, receptor interacting protein, nuclear receptor corepressor, and Sin3A), and SWI/SNF (human homolog of yeast mating type switching/sucrose nonfermenting) and imitation SWI chromatin remodeling ATPases on the CYP17 promoter during transcription cycles in the H295R adrenocortical cell line. A ternary GCN5/SRC-1/SF-1 complex forms on the CYP17 promoter with cAMP-dependence within 30 min of cAMP stimulation, and corresponds with SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling. This complex is sensitive to the SF-1 antagonist sphingosine and results in decreased transcription of CYP17. GCN5 acetyltransferase activity and carboxy terminus binding proteins alternatively mediate disassembly of the complex. This work establishes the temporal order of cAMP-induced events on the promoter of a key steroidogenic gene during SF-1-mediated transcription.