bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Advances in capillary electrophoretically mediated microanalysis: An update
Authors: Zhang Jie , Hoogmartens Jos , Van Schepdael Ann
Published: November 2005

This review, as a continuation of an earlier report, gives an overview of recent developments, over the period from 2003 until now, in the use of capillary electrophoretic techniques for the in‐line study of enzymatic reactions, derivatization, and chemical reactions. The article is divided into two parts: (i) in‐line enzymatic reactions and (ii) in‐line derivatization and chemical reactions. The first part introduces electrophoretically mediated microanalysis (EMMA) and discusses and illustrates the different modes of EMMA. A literature overview on enzymatic reactions is provided. The second part starts with an introduction of the procedures and the nomenclature used in the area of in‐line derivatization and chemical reactions based on EMMA. Reported derivatization and chemical reaction procedures are discussed and summarized.
Synthesis of a new sulfonated monomer for poly(aryl ether)s
Authors: McKay Scott E. , Lashlee Robert W. , Marshall Tadd P. , Kopitzke Robert W.
Published: November 2005

A new sulfonated monomer suitable for polyarylether synthesis was made. 1,1'‐(p‐Phenylenedioxy)bis[4‐(4‐fluorobenzoyl)]benzene was prepared from phosphorus pentoxide/methanesulfonic acid (PPMA), 1,4‐diphenoxybenzene, and p‐fluorobenzoic acid in good yield. This compound was selectively monosulfonated on the most activated ring with fuming sulfuric acid and isolated as the sodium salt. Poly(aryl ethers) made from this monomer may find use as proton exchange membranes. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 16:553–556, 2005; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/hc.20137
Reactivity of terminal transition metal borylene complexes
Authors: Braunschweig Holger , Rais Daniela
Published: November 2005

The chemistry of terminal transition metal borylene complexes is reviewed, with particular attention to recent developments concerning the reactivity of these species. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 16:566–571, 2005; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/hc.20143
Synthesis and antimicrobial activity of novel 3 substituted 1,5‐dihydro‐2,4,3‐benzodioxaphosphepine 3‐oxides
Authors: Haranath P. , Babu M. F. Stephen , Anasuyamma U. , Raju C. Naga , Reddy C. Suresh
Published: November 2005

Novel 3 substituted 1,5‐dihydro‐2,4,3‐benzodioxaphosphepine 3‐oxides (5a–h) were synthesized by reacting 1,2‐benzenedimethanol (1) with phosphorus tribromide in the presence of triethylamine at 0–30°C and subsequent reaction of the monobromide (2) with different Grignard reagents (3) at room temperature. The products (4) were converted to corresponding oxides 5a–i by oxidation with H2O2 at room temperature. The chemical structures of all the products were confirmed by analytical, IR and NMR (1H, 13C, and 31P) spectral data. Their antifungal and antibacterial activity is also evaluated. Most of these compounds exhibited moderate antimicrobial activity in the assay. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 16:572–575, 2005; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/hc.20154
Phosphorylation of N‐iso‐propyl‐ and N‐tert‐butylpyrroles with phosphorus(III) halides
Authors: Chaikovskaya Aleksandra A. , Dmitriv Yurii V. , Ivonin Sergei P. , Pinchuk Aleksandr M. , Tolmachev Andrei A.
Published: November 2005

The investigation concerns the effect of a bulky substituent at the pyrrole nitrogen atom on the orientation and regioselectivity of pyrrole phosphorylation with phosphorus(III) halides. As shown, phosphorylation of N‐iso‐propylpyrrole with phosphorus tribromide or trichloride proceeds nonregioselectively at positions 2 and 3 but it is followed by the 2 → 3 migration of the dihalogenophosphine group which quantitatively yields the 3‐isomer. N‐tert‐butylpyrrole is regioselectively phosphorylated with halogenophosphines at position 3. The tert‐butyl substituent at the nitrogen atom does not preclude the binding of even two or three pyrrolyl residues to the phosphorus atom. The key compounds, 3‐pyrrolyldihalogenophosphines, were isolated in a pure state, characterized and used to obtain a number of stable phosphorus(V) derivatives. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 16:599–604, 2005; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/hc.20158
A facile stereoselective synthesis of (E)‐α‐silylvinyl sulfides via hydromagnesiation of alkynylsilanes
Authors: Cai Mingzhong , Xia Jun , Wang Pingping
Published: November 2005

Hydromagnesiation of alkynylsilanes 1 in diethyl ether gave (Z)‐α‐silylvinyl Grignard reagents 2, which reacted with arylsulfenyl chlorides 3 to afford stereoselectively (E)‐α‐silylvinyl sulfides 4 in good yields. (E)‐α‐Silylvinyl sulfides 4 could undergo the cross‐coupling reactions with Grignard reagents in the presence of NiCl2(PPh3)2 to give stereoselectively (Z)‐1,2‐disubstituted vinylsilanes 5. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 16:644–647, 2005; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/hc.20165
Phosphorylation of imidazo[2,1‐b]thiazoles with phosphorus(III) halides in the presence of bases
Authors: Zarudnitskii Evgenij V. , Yurchenko Aleksandr A. , Merkulov Anatolij S. , Semenova Marina G. , Pinchuk Aleksandr M. , Tolmachev Andrej A.
Published: November 2005

The reaction of phosphorus(III) halides with 6‐substituted imidazo[2,1‐b]thiazoles in the presence of bases proceeds regioselectively and affords 5‐phosphinoimidazo[2,1‐b]thiazoles, useful synthons for the preparation of various P(III) and P(V) derivatives. 5‐Phosphinoimidazo[2,1‐b]thiazoles are selectively alkylated at the phosphorus or heterocyclic nitrogen atom, depending on the alkylating agent. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 16:648–655, 2005; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/hc.20166
Synthesis and crystal structure of 10a‐oxo‐1‐phenylimino‐ 10‐propyl‐3,4,10,10a‐tetrahydro‐1H‐ 2‐thia‐4a,10‐diaza‐10aλ5‐ phospha‐phenanthren‐9‐one
Authors: Chen Hui , Huang Junmin , Chen Ruyu
Published: November 2005

The title novel fused tricyclic phosphoroheterocycle, C19H20N3O2PS, was synthesized in an excellent yield of 88.5% via the reac‐ tion of 1‐(2‐bromoethyl)‐2,3‐dihydro‐3‐propyl‐1,3,2‐benzodiazaphosphorin‐4(1H)‐one 2‐oxide with phenyl isothiocyanate, which contains the proximate imino and phosphoryl groups in the fused heterocycle. The crystallographic data analysis reveals that the title compound crystallizes into triclinic space group P with unit cell parameters: a = 9.159(3) Å, b = 10.463(4) Å, c = 10.698(4) Å, α = 88.090(6)°, β = 86.921(6)°, γ = 70.528(6)°, V = 965.0(6) Å3 for Z = 2 and there is a fused three‐ring in the molecule. The structure has been solved by direct methods and refined to R = 0.0424 for 2451 observed reflections with I >2 σ(I). The proximate imino and phosphoryl groups are not coplanar because both are jointly located in the fused heterocycle, thus having ring tension and this then destroys the conjugation between the CN and the PO moieties. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 16:671–676, 2005; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/hc.20169
Synthesis, characterization, and in vitro 5‐Fu release behavior of poly(2,2‐dimethyltrimethylene carbonate)‐poly(ethylene glycol)‐poly(2,2‐dimethyltrimethylene carbonate) nanoparticles
Authors: Zhang Ying , Zhuo Ren‐xi
Published: November 2005

Novel ABA‐type amphiphilic triblock copolymers composed of poly (ethylene glycol) (PEG) as hydrophilic segment and poly (2,2‐dimethyltrimethylene carbonate) (PDTC) as hydrophobic segment were synthesized by ring‐opening polymerization of 2,2‐dimethyltrimethylene carbonate (DTC) initiated by dihydroxyl PEG. The influence of introducing PEG block on crystalline behavior of PDTC segment was investigated by DSC. Polymeric micelles in aqueous medium were characterized by fluorescence spectroscopy and dynamic light scattering. The critical micelle concentration of these copolymers was in the range of 5.1–50.5 mg/L. Particle size was 80–280 nm. Core‐shell–type nanoparticles were prepared by the dialysis technique. Zeta potential was measured by laser Doppler anemometry, and all nanoparticles had negative zeta potential. Transmission electron microscopy images demonstrated that these nanoparticles were spherical in shape. Anticancer drug 5‐fluorouracil (5‐Fu) as a model drug was loaded in the polymeric nanoparticles. X‐ray powder diffraction demonstrated that 5‐Fu was encapsulated into polymeric nanoparticles as molecular dispersion. In vitro cytotoxicity of nanoparticles was evaluated by MTT assay. In vitro release behavior of 5‐Fu was investigated, and sustained drug release was achieved. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2006
Formaldehyde biodegradation in the presence of methanol under denitrifying conditions
Authors: Eiroa Marta , Vilar Almudena , Kennes Christian , Veiga María C
Published: November 2005

Simultaneous formaldehyde and methanol biodegradation and also denitrification were studied in batch assays and in a continuous laboratory‐scale reactor. In batch assays, high formaldehyde concentrations (up to 1360 mg dm−3) were removed under anoxic conditions in the presence of methanol. It was found that formaldehyde biodegradation produced methanol and formic acid as products. The denitrification process was affected by the initial formaldehyde concentration. In the continuous reactor, the biodegradation of different concentrations of formaldehyde (1500–275 mg dm−3) and methanol (153–871 mg dm−3) took place, maintaining the organic loading rate at 0.84 g COD dm−3 d−1 (COD/N 4). However, each increase in the methanol concentration in the influent caused a decrease in the denitrification level. An adaptation period to methanol was necessary before the denitrification percentage could be recovered. In contrast with batch assays, in the continuous reactor methanol and formic acid were not detected in the effluent. Moreover, in the continuous reactor the denitrification percentages were higher and the nitrite accumulation was lower. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry
Oxidative conversion of propane to acrylic acid and acetic acid over mixed oxide catalysts
Authors: Rane Vilas H , Rodemerck Uwe , Baerns Manfred
Published: November 2005

The oxidative conversion of propane to acrylic acid and acetic acid over MoVSbRO (RLa, Ce, Nd and Sm) catalysts at different reaction conditions (viz. temperature, C3H8/O2 ratio, H2O/C3H8 ratio, space velocity, etc.) was investigated. The catalytic activity and selectivity of the MoVSb catalyst are strongly influenced by the addition of rare earth metals to the catalyst. The addition of water vapour to the feed of propane and oxygen enhances greatly the formation of oxygenated products, particularly acrylic acid and acetic acid. The ratio of selectivities of acrylic acid to acetic acid was found to depend on the rare earth metal used in the catalyst's preparation and the reaction conditions. High contact times, i.e. high degrees of propane conversion, are detrimental to the formation of acrylic acid but beneficial for acetic acid formation. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry
Stable and efficient intraocular gene transfer using pseudotyped EIAV lentiviral vectors
Authors: Balaggan K. S. , Binley K. , Esapa M. , Iqball S. , Askham Z. , Kan O. , Tschernutter M. , Bainbridge J. W. B. , Naylor S. , Ali R. R.
Published: November 2005

Background

We have developed minimal non‐primate lentiviral vectors based on the equine infectious anaemia virus (EIAV). We evaluated the in vivo expression profiles of these vectors delivered regionally to ocular tissues to define their potential utility in ocular gene therapy.

Methods

EIAV vectors pseudotyped with VSV‐G or rabies‐G envelope proteins were delivered subretinally, intravitreally or into the anterior chambers (intracameral administration) in mice. Reporter gene (eGFP) expression was analysed using in vivo retinal imaging or histological examination of eyes and brains at intervals between 3 days and 16 months. We investigated the effects of vector titre, pseudotype, genome configuration, site of intraocular administration, intentional retinal trauma and the degree of retinal maturation on the spatial and temporal expression profiles of these vectors.

Results

Subretinal vector delivery resulted in efficient and stable transduction of retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells and variable transduction of photoreceptors up to 16 months post‐injection. Retinal trauma facilitated the local transduction of neurosensory retinal cells. Intracameral administration of VSV‐G‐ but not rabies‐G‐pseudotyped vectors produced stable eGFP expression in corneal endothelial cells and trabecular meshwork.

Conclusions

The cellular tropism and expression kinetics of optimised EIAV vectors after intraocular administration make them attractive vehicles for delivering therapeutic genes in the management of inherited and acquired retinal and anterior segment disorders. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Thyroid hormone stimulates γ‐glutamyl transpeptidase in the developing rat cerebra and in astroglial cultures
Authors: Dasgupta Asmita , Das Sumantra , Sarkar Pranab Kumar
Published: November 2005

Hypothyroidism in the developing rat brain is associated with enhanced oxidative stress, one of the earliest manifestations of which is a decline in the level of glutathione (GSH). To investigate the role of thyroid hormone (TH) on GSH homeostasis, the effect of TH on γ‐glutamyl transpeptidase (γGT), the key enzyme involved in the catalysis of GSH, was studied. Hypothyroidism declined the specific activity of cerebral γGT at all postnatal ages examined (postnatal day 1–20) with a maximum inhibition of 42% at postnatal day 10. Intraperitoneal injection of TH to 15‐day‐old rat pups increased the specific activity of γGT by 25‐30% within 4–6 hr. Treatment of primary cultures of astrocytes by TH also enhanced the specific activity of γGT by 30–40% within 4–6 hr. The induction of γGT by TH was blocked by actinomycin D or cycloheximide. γGT is an ectoenzyme that is normally involved in the catabolism of GSH released by astrocytes. In the presence of the γGT‐inhibitor, acivicin, GSH released in the culture medium of astrocytes increased linearly for at least 6 hr and TH had no effect on this accumulation pattern. In the absence of acivicin, GSH content of the medium from TH‐treated cells was significantly lower than that of untreated controls due to activation of γGT by TH and a faster processing of GSH. Because the products of γGT reaction are putative precursors for neuronal GSH, the activation of γGT by TH may be conducive to GSH synthesis in neurons and their protection from oxidative stress. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Biodegradable Hyaluronic Acid/N‐Carboxyethyl Chitosan/Protein Ternary Complexes as Implantable Carriers for Controlled Protein Release
Authors: Jiang Hongliang , Wang Yijuan , Huang Qian , Li Yan , Xu Chaonan , Zhu Kangjie , Chen Weiliam
Published: November 2005

Summary: An ampholytic N‐carboxyethyl chitosan (CEC), with various isoelectric points (IPs), was synthesized by grafting acrylic acid on chitosan utilizing Michael's reaction. Compared to native chitosan, CEC has enhanced water solubility and dramatically accelerated enzymatic degradation; the rate of degradation is proportional to the degree of substitution (DS). The results from turbidimetric titration and fluorescence studies revealed that CEC formed complexes with either hyaluronic acid (HA) or bovine serum albumin (BSA) within a certain pH range. The HA/CEC/BSA ternary complexes could be prepared by colloid titration with quantitative yield and BSA entrapment. The rate of BSA release from the complexes was affected by pH, ionic strength, DS of CEC, and the molecular weight (MW) of HA. The endurance of BSA release from the complexes could be extended up to 20 d by formulating them with high‐MW HA and CEC with low DS.

BSA release profiles from HA/CEC‐2/BSA complexes.

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BSA release profiles from HA/CEC‐2/BSA complexes.
Relationship Between Architecture and Adhesion in Polyurethane‐Based Copolymers, 2
Authors: Baron Amélie , Rodriguez‐Hernandez Juan , Papon Eric
Published: November 2005

Summary: This study describes the chain extension, with polycaprolactone diols, of polyurethane‐graft‐poly(butyl acrylate)s which were first prepared by the step growth polymerization of a mixture of diphenylmethane‐4,4′‐diisocyanate (MDI) and α,α′‐dihydroxyl‐poly(butyl acrylate)s. The success of the chain extension reaction was studied and confirmed by 1H NMR, SEC and DSC analysis. The incorporation of polycaprolactone sequences in the polyurethane chains modified their specific adhesive properties, bringing cohesion to the material, as demonstrated by tack measurements.

PUR‐graft‐PBA extended with PCL.

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PUR‐graft‐PBA extended with PCL.
Resistivity and Thermal Reproducibility of the Carbon Black and SnO2/Sb Coated Titanium Dioxide Filled Silicone Rubber Heaters
Authors: Park Eun‐Soo
Published: November 2005

Summary: Flexible heaters were prepared by extruding platinum‐catalyzed silicone rubber compound with electroconductive carbon black (CB) and SnO2/Sb coated titanium dioxide (TiO2). Two types of acicular‐shaped TiO2 with average particle sizes of 1.7 and 5.2 µm, and two types of spherical‐shaped TiO2 with average particle sizes of 0.3 and 2.5 µm were selected. Thermoelectric switching phenomena were investigated for the silicone rubber/CB/TiO2 system. Positive temperature coefficient (PTC) was significant when the acicular filler was added rather than spherical ones. Resistivity change and thermal reproducibility of the extruded heaters were also investigated by applying periodically AC voltage of 220 V. The heaters containing acicular‐shaped TiO2 exhibited excellent electrical reproducibility.

Scanning electron micrograph of the fractured surface of the extruded composites.

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Scanning electron micrograph of the fractured surface of the extruded composites.
FT‐IR Study of Blends and Complexes of Poly(mono n‐alkyl itaconates) with Poly(N,N‐dimethylacrylamide) and Poly(ethyloxazoline)
Authors: Meaurio Emilio , Katime Issa
Published: November 2005

Summary: This paper reports an FT‐IR study of blends and complexes of poly(mono n‐alkyl itaconates) with poly(N,N‐dimethylacrylamide) (PDMA) and poly(ethyloxazoline) (PEOX). Strong hydrogen bonding has been found and both polybases have shown similar acceptor strengths. The extent of the interassociation has been estimated by spectral curve fitting of the polybase carbonyl band. The influences of the solvent medium and alkyl side group length of the poly(mono n‐alkyl itaconate) on the interassociation extents have been discussed. Blend and complex interassociation behavior has been compared too. Results show that media influences the interassociation degree in systems with PDMA, but has negligible influence in systems with PEOX. Moreover, the interassociation degree in blends with PEOX does not depend on the length of the poly(monoalkyl itaconate) side group, while an interassociating ability loss is observed in blends with PDMA as the side group size of the polyacid increases. This different behavior is attributed to the greater interspacing between vicinal carbonyl groups in PEOX. Anyway, this band shows conformational sensitivity and reflects the conformational changes that are forced to adopt as the steric hindrances present in the medium (due to the bulky side groups of the polyacids) increase.

Auto scaled carbonyl stretching region for PMBuI/PEOX complexes.

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Auto scaled carbonyl stretching region for PMBuI/PEOX complexes.
A Binaphthyl‐Bridged Salen Zirconium Catalyst Affording Atactic Poly(propylene) and Isotactic Poly(α‐olefins)
Authors: Lamberti Marina , Consolmagno Mariacarmela , Mazzeo Mina , Pellecchia Claudio
Published: November 2005

Summary: A binaphthyl‐bridged salen dichlorozirconium (IV) complex that displays an octahedral structure with a trans‐O, cis‐N, and cis‐Cl arrangement was synthesized and tested as a precatalyst for ethylene and α‐olefin polymerization. While use of methylaluminoxane (MAO) cocatalyst afforded poor catalytic activity, activation by mixtures of aluminium alkyls such as AliBu3 and either MAO or [CPh3][B(C6F5)4] resulted in reasonable polymerization activities for ethylene, propene, and higher α‐olefins. Quite unexpectedly, while the polymerization of propene results in the production of a high‐molecular‐weight stereoirregular polymer, highly isotactic polymers are obtained under similar conditions from polymerization of 1‐butene, 1‐pentene, and 1‐hexene.

Polymerization employing the binaphthyl‐bridged salen dichlorozirconium (IV) complex gave unexpected different stereospecificities for the polymerization of propene and higher α‐olefins, to yield ultrahigh‐molecular‐weight atactic poly(propylene) and highly isotactic polymers, respectively.

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Polymerization employing the binaphthyl‐bridged salen dichlorozirconium (IV) complex gave unexpected different stereospecificities for the polymerization of propene and higher α‐olefins, to yield ultrahigh‐molecular‐weight atactic poly(propylene) and highly isotactic polymers, respectively.
Co‐regulation of B‐Myb expression by E2F1 and EGF receptor
Authors: Hanada Norihisa , Lo Hui‐Wen , Day Chi‐Ping , Pan Yong , Nakajima Yusuke , Hung Mien‐Chie
Published: November 2005

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a receptor tyrosine kinase that is frequently over‐expressed in human cancers and is associated with tumorigenesis, and increased tumor proliferation and progression. Also found in breast tumors with high levels is B‐Myb, a transcription factor whose expression is activated by E2F1/3 at the late G1 phase and the level is sustained through the S phase. Recent reports suggest a casual correlation between EGFR and B‐Myb expression in primary breast carcinomas. However, the mechanism for such co‐expression remains un‐investigated. Here, we report that EGFR is important for B‐Myb expression and the underlying mechanism involves cooperated effects from EGFR and E2F1. EGF stimulation and forced expression of EGFR significantly increase B‐Myb gene activity and such increase occurs in the G1 phase. EGF‐induced B‐Myb expression was not significantly suppressed following inhibition of PI‐3K and ERK, two major EGFR downstream pathways. In contrast, we observed EGF‐induced in vivo association of nuclear EGFR to the B‐Myb promoter and the association is only detected at the G1/S phase and is abolished by EGFR kinase inhibitor. As EGFR lacks DNA‐binding domain but contains transactivational activity and E2F1 activates B‐Myb expression in the G1/S phase, we further reasoned that nuclear EGFR might cooperate with E2F1 leading to activation of B‐Myb. Indeed, we found that EGFR co‐immunoprecipitated with E2F1 in an EGF‐dependent manner and that EGF activated in vivo binding of E2F1 to the B‐Myb promoter. Consistently, forced expression of both EGFR and E2F1 in EGFR‐null CHO cells greatly enhanced B‐Myb promoter activity, compared to the vector control and expression of EGFR or E2F1 alone. Promoter mutagenesis studies showed that EGF‐induced activation of B‐Myb promoter required both E2F and EGFR target sites. In summary, our data suggest that deregulated EGFR signaling pathway facilitate tumor cell proliferation partly via EGFR interaction with E2F1 and subsequent activation of B‐Myb gene expression. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Age dependent phosphorylation and deregulation of p53 in human vestibular schwannomas
Authors: Dayalan Antony H.P.P. , Jothi Mathivanan , Keshava Rohini , Thomas Remy , Gope Mohan L. , Doddaballapur Subbakrishna K. , Somanna Sampath , Praharaj Shanti S. , Ashwathnarayanarao Chandramouli B. , Gope Rajalakshmi
Published: November 2005

Tumor‐specific alterations at the p53 gene locus in 30 human vestibular schwannomas (VS) comprising 10 confirmed NF2 cases and 20 sporadic cases were analyzed. We found loss of heterozygosity (LOH) at the first intron of the p53 gene locus in 54% of the informative cases. This is the first report showing LOH at the p53 gene locus in a significant number of human VS and both sporadic and NF2 cases show the LOH event. Increased levels of normal size p53 mRNA and p53 protein were found in all the tumors analyzed. Thus p53 appears to be deregulated in all the tumors suggesting that p53 alterations may be associated with tumor progression in VS. There was a negative significant correlation of patients' age and percentage of Ser 392 phosphorylated p53 protein. The tumor samples obtained from younger patients of 35 yr and below showed higher percentage of Ser 392 phosphorylated p53 protein compared to the tumors of older patients. The increased percentage of Ser 392 phosphorylated p53 protein indicates that it could be involved in the acceleration of tumor growth in the younger patients. Our results suggest that age dependent phosphorylation of p53 protein and deregulation of p53 gene has a role in the development of human vestibular schwannomas. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Genistein affects androgen‐responsive genes through both androgen‐ and estrogen‐induced signaling pathways
Authors: Takahashi Yoko , Hursting Stephen D. , Perkins Susan N. , Wang Tien‐Chung , Wang Thomas T.Y.
Published: November 2005

This study examined the mechanisms by which the prostate cancer chemopreventive agent genistein modulates gene expression in LNCaP human prostate cancer cells. Expression of androgen‐ and estrogen‐regulated genes was measured in LNCaP cells cultured in the presence or absence of hormonal stimulation and the presence or absence of genistein. Genistein strongly suppressed basal expression of androgen‐responsive gene (ARG) mRNAs, including prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) and Ste20‐related proline‐alanine‐rich kinase (SPAK). However, genistein had little or no effect on basal expression of two other ARGs, β2‐microglobulin (B2M) or selenoprotein P (SEPP1). Culturing LNCaP cells in the presence of the synthetic androgen R1881‐induced increases in PSA, SPAK, B2M, and SEPP1 mRNA levels. The R1881‐induced expression of these genes was uniformly blocked by genistein. For PSA and SPAK, genistein also blocked or downregulated 17β‐estradiol‐induced increases in mRNA expression. These results indicate that genistein selectively alters expression of ARG mRNAs in LNCaP cells through modulation of both androgen‐ and estrogen‐induced signaling pathways. Published 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Molecular analysis of hprt mutations generated in Chinese hamster ovary EM9 cells by uranyl acetate, by hydrogen peroxide, and spontaneously
Authors: Coryell Virginia H. , Stearns Diane M.
Published: November 2005

Naturally occurring uranium and depleted uranium (DU) are believed to be health hazards by virtue of both their chemical and radiological properties. The mechanism(s) behind uranium's chemotoxic effects has yet to be elucidated. Previous work has shown that DU, as uranyl acetate (UA), was mutagenic at the hypoxanthine (guanine) phosphoribosyltransferase (hprt) locus in XRCC1‐deficient CHO EM9 cells. The purpose of the current study was to characterize the mutations induced by UA at the hprt locus of CHO EM9 cells and compare the mutation spectrum of UA with those of hydrogen peroxide and spontaneous mutations in the same line. The hypothesis being tested was that if DU as UA is chemically genotoxic then the mutation spectrum induced by the heavy metal should be distinct from that produced spontaneously or by H2O2. A total of 59 UA‐induced, 38 spontaneous, and 45 H2O2‐induced mutations were identified. Base substitutions comprised 29%, 42%, and 16% of UA, spontaneous, and H2O2 mutants, respectively. The frequency of G → T or C → A substitutions was not significantly different in spontaneous or H2O2‐induced mutants than in UA‐induced mutants, suggesting a possible role for 8‐oxodG damage in UA mutagenesis. However, the observation that UA produced significantly more major genomic rearrangements (multiexon insertions and deletions) than occurred spontaneously suggests the possibility that DNA strand breaks or crosslinks could also be UA‐induced mutagenic lesions. The unique mutation spectrum elicited by exposure to UA suggests that UA generates mutations in ways that are different from spontaneous and free radical as well as radiological mechanisms. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Related timing for peripheral and central plasticity in hypoglossal–facial nerve anastomosis
Authors: Bernat Isabelle , Vitte Elizabeth , Lamas Georges , Soudant Jacques , Willer Jean Claude , Tankéré Frédéric
Published: November 2005

The aim of this work was to determine the role of peripheral facial muscle reinnervation in the central reorganization of the blink reflex (BR) after hypoglossal–facial anastomosis (HFA). An electrophysiological study was performed on seven patients who underwent HFA after facial nerve transection during surgery for acoustic neuroma. HFA was performed within 15 days after surgery in five patients (group 1) and later for the two others (group 2). We studied the motor responses (MR) and the BR evoked on the affected side, before and over 3 years after the HFA. The MR appeared by the third month for the first group, and by the sixth and twelfth for the second group. After 36 months, the amplitude of MR was significantly higher than its control value, showing hyperinnervation of the facial muscles. Study of the BR evoked only an R1‐type blink response that was observed 4 and 6 months after the MR for groups 1 and 2, respectively. This central reorganization appeared closely correlated with muscle reinnervation and its related timing. The occurrence of peripheral nerve–muscle contacts seems to be a necessary condition for reorganization of the trigemino–hypoglossal–facial reflex. Muscle Nerve, 2006
How do the prevalences of urogenital symptoms change during pregnancy?
Authors: van Brummen H. Jorien , Bruinse Hein W. , van der Bom Johanna G. , Heintz A. Peter. M. , van der Vaart C. Huub
Published: November 2005

Aim

The aim of this study was to report the changes in prevalences of urogenital symptoms during pregnancy and to evaluate the amount of bother nulliparous pregnant women experience from these symptoms.

Methods

We have used a prospective longitudinal cohort study design. Five hundred fifteen nulliparous women with a singleton pregnancy were recruited from 10 midwifery practices between January 2002 and July 2003. The women received postal questionnaires. Urogenital symptoms were assessed with the Dutch version of the standardized and validated Urogenital Distress Inventory (UDI). We analyzed our data on item level and on the clustering of items.

Results

The prevalences of the frequency and urgency symptoms are high at 12 weeks (74% and 63%) and remain stable during pregnancy. The prevalences of urinary incontinence and voiding difficulties increase with gestational age. Frequency disappears in 12% in late pregnancy, urgency in 22%, and stress incontinence in 23%. The prevalence of bothersome frequency symptoms is much higher than of urinary incontinence (21% compared to 6%). All UDI subscales increase significantly during pregnancy.

Conclusions

Urogenital symptoms occur in almost all women during pregnancy. Whereas the prevalence of overactive bladder symptoms is high and remains stable from early pregnancy on, the prevalences of urinary incontinence symptoms increase with gestational age. Despite the high prevalences of symptoms, the majority of women report not to be bothered by it. Neurourol. Urdynam. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Post stroke urinary loss, incontinence and life satisfaction: When does post‐stroke urinary loss become incontinence?
Authors: Edwards Dorothy F. , Hahn Michele , Dromerick Alexander
Published: November 2005

Aims

While urinary incontinence (UI) has been extensively studied after stroke, the threshold for when it becomes a social problem by affecting life satisfaction or social participation has not been established. The study goal was to establish this threshold, examine the impact of UI on life satisfaction and participation, and determine whether UI contributes independently to poor stroke outcome.

Methods

Retrospective analysis was performed on prospectively collected data from a cohort of consecutive admissions to the acute Neurology Stroke Service of a large metropolitan teaching hospital. Four hundred and sixty patients with ischemic stroke were prospectively evaluated for stroke severity, medical, and demographic factors. Telephone interviews were completed with 361 community‐dwelling subjects 6 months after stroke onset.

Results

The FIM bladder item was used to determine the frequency of urinary loss. All patients were continent before stroke onset, 16% reported UL at 6‐month follow‐up. ROC analysis suggested that UI once per month or more is associated with diminished quality of life and activity participation. Logistic regression found poor life satisfaction associated with ADL impairment, cognitive disability, low SF12 physical and mental health scores, and incontinence. Poor outcome was independent of stroke severity.

Conclusions

Urinary loss became incontinence when it occurred at least monthly. UI was associated with greater dependence in basic and instrumental ADL, decreased participation and low life satisfaction. Neurourol. Urdynam. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Reliability of pelvic floor muscle strength assessment using different test positions and tools
Authors: Frawley Helena C. , Galea Mary P. , Phillips Bev A. , Sherburn Margaret , Bø Kari
Published: November 2005

Aims

The aims of this study were to determine the intra‐therapist reliability for digital muscle testing and vaginal manometry on maximum voluntary contraction strength and endurance. In addition, we assessed how reliability varied with different tools and different testing positions.

Methods

Subjects included 20 female physiotherapists. The modified Oxford scale was used for the digital muscle testing, and the Peritron™ perineometer was used for the vaginal resting pressure and vaginal squeeze pressure assessments. Strength and endurance testing were performed. The highest of the maximum voluntary contraction scores was used in strength analysis, and a fatigue index value was calculated from the endurance repetitions. Bent‐knee lying, supine, sitting, and standing positions were used. The time interval for between‐session reliability was 2–6 weeks.

Results

Kappa values for the between‐session reliability of digital muscle testing were 0.69, 0.69, 0.86, and 0.79 for the four test positions, respectively. Intra‐class correlation coefficient (ICC) values for squeeze pressure readings for the four positions were 0.95, 0.91, 0.96, and 0.92 for maximum voluntary contraction, and 0.05, 0.42, 0.13, and 0.35 for endurance testing. ICC values for resting pressure were 0.74, 0.77, 0.47, and 0.29.

Conclusions

Reliability of digital muscle testing was very good in sitting and good in the other three positions. vaginal resting pressure demonstrated very good reliability in all four positions for maximum voluntary contraction, but was unreliable for endurance testing. Vaginal resting pressure was not reliable in upright positions. Both measurement tools are reliable in certain positions, with manometry demonstrating higher reliability coefficients. Neurourol. Urdynam. 25:236–242, 2006. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Application of the quadrilateral area co‐ordinate method: a new element for Mindlin–Reissner plate
Authors: Cen Song , Long Yu‐Qiu , Yao Zhen‐Han , Chiew Sing‐Ping
Published: November 2005

The quadrilateral area co‐ordinate method is used to formulate a new quadrilateral element for Mindlin–Reissner plate bending problem. Firstly, an independent shear field is assumed based on the locking‐free Timoshenko's beam formulae; secondly, a fourth‐order deflection field is assumed by introducing some generalized conforming conditions; thirdly, the rotation field is determined by the strain–displacement relations. Furthermore, a hybrid post‐processing procedure is suggested to improve the stress/internal force solutions. Following this procedure, a new 4‐node, 12‐dof quadrilateral element, named AC‐MQ4, is successfully constructed. Since all formulations are expressed by the area co‐ordinates, element AC‐MQ4 presents some different, but beneficial characters when compared with other usual models. Numerical examples show the new element is free of shear locking, insensitive to mesh distortion, and possesses excellent accuracy in the analysis of both thick and thin plates. It has also been demonstrated that the area co‐ordinate method, the generalized conforming condition method, and the hybrid post‐processing procedure are efficient tools for developing simple, effective and reliable finite element models. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A spline wavelet finite‐element method in structural mechanics
Authors: Han Jian‐Gang , Ren Wei‐Xin , Huang Yih
Published: November 2005

The wavelet‐based methods are powerful to analyse the field problems with changes in gradients and singularities due to the excellent multi‐resolution properties of wavelet functions. Wavelet‐based finite elements are often constructed in the wavelet space where field displacements are expressed as a product of wavelet functions and wavelet coefficients. When a complex structural problem is analysed, the interface between different elements and boundary conditions cannot be easily treated as in the case of conventional finite‐element methods (FEMs). A new wavelet‐based FEM in structural mechanics is proposed in the paper by using the spline wavelets, in which the formulation is developed in a similar way of conventional displacement‐based FEM. The spline wavelet functions are used as the element displacement interpolation functions and the shape functions are expressed by wavelets. The detailed formulations of typical spline wavelet elements such as plane beam element, in‐plane triangular element, in‐plane rectangular element, tetrahedral solid element, and hexahedral solid element are derived. The numerical examples have illustrated that the proposed spline wavelet finite‐element formulation achieves a high numerical accuracy and fast convergence rate. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
On the inverse of generalized λ‐matrices with singular leading term
Authors: Dumont N. A.
Published: November 2005

An algorithm is introduced for the inverse of a λ‐matrix given as the truncated series A0−iλA1−λ2A2+iλ3A3+λ4A4+···+O(λn+1) with square coefficient matrices and singular leading term A0. Moreover, A1 may be conditionally singular and no restrictions are made for the remaining terms. The result is a λ‐matrix given as a unique, truncated series of the same error order. Motivation for this problem is the evaluation of the frequency‐dependent stiffness matrix of general boundary or macro‐finite elements in the frame of a hybrid variational formulation that is based on a flexibility matrix F expressed as a truncated power series of the circular frequency ω. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An algebraic method for smoothing surface triangulations on a local parametric space
Authors: Escobar J. M. , Montero G. , Montenegro R. , Rodríguez E.
Published: November 2005

This paper presents a new procedure to improve the quality of triangular meshes defined on surfaces. The improvement is obtained by an iterative process in which each node of the mesh is moved to a new position that minimizes a certain objective function. This objective function is derived from algebraic quality measures of the local mesh (the set of triangles connected to the adjustable or free node). If we allow the free node to move on the surface without imposing any restriction, only guided by the improvement of the quality, the optimization procedure can construct a high‐quality local mesh, but with this node in an unacceptable position. To avoid this problem the optimization is done in the parametric mesh, where the presence of barriers in the objective function maintains the free node inside the feasible region. In this way, the original problem on the surface is transformed into a two‐dimensional one on the parametric space. In our case, the parametric space is a plane, chosen in terms of the local mesh, in such a way that this mesh can be optimally projected performing a valid mesh, that is, without inverted elements. Several examples and applications presented in this work show how this technique is capable of improving the quality of triangular surface meshes. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Five‐year effects of an anti‐poverty program on marriage among never‐married mothers
Authors: Gassman‐Pines Anna , Yoshikawa Hirokazu
Published: November 2005

Using data from an experimental evaluation of the New Hope project, an anti‐poverty program that increased employment and income, this study examined the effects of New Hope on entry into marriage among never‐married mothers. Among never‐married mothers, New Hope significantly increased rates of marriage. Five years after random assignment, 21 percent of women assigned to the New Hope condition were married, compared to 12 percent of those assigned to the control group. The New Hope impact on marriage was robust to variations in model specification. The program also increased income, wage growth, and goal efficacy among never‐married mothers, and decreased depression. In non‐experimental analyses, income and earnings were associated with higher probability of marriage and material hardship was associated with lower probability of marriage. © 2006 by the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management
Nonprofit housing and neighborhood spillovers
Authors: Gould Ellen Ingrid , Voicu Ioan
Published: November 2005

Nonprofit organizations play a critical role in U.S. housing policy, a role typically justified by the claim that their housing investments produce significant neighbor‐hood spillover benefits. However, little work has actually been done to measure these impacts on neighborhoods. This paper compares the neighborhood spillover effects of city‐supported rehabilitation of rental housing undertaken by nonprofit and for‐profit developers, using data from New York City. To measure these benefits, we use increases in neighboring property values, estimated from a difference‐in‐difference specification of a hedonic regression model. We study the impacts of about 43,000 units of city‐supported housing completed during the 1980s and 1990s, and our sample of property transactions includes nearly 300,000 individual sales.

We find that both nonprofit and for‐profit projects generate significant, positive spillover effects. This finding in itself is significant, given the widespread skepticism about the impact of subsidized housing on neighborhoods. We also find some differences across sectors. First, the impact of nonprofit housing remains stable over time, whereas the effect of for‐profit housing declines slightly with time. Second, while large for‐profit and nonprofit developments deliver similar benefits, in the case of small projects, for‐profit developments generate greater impacts than their nonprofit counterparts. These differences are consistent with theoretical predictions. In particular, in the presence of information asymmetries with respect to housing quality, the non‐distribution constraint should lead nonprofits to invest more than for‐profits in developing and maintaining features that benefit the broader community. Meanwhile, the fact that scale makes a difference to nonprofit impacts may reflect the capacity constraints often faced by smaller nonprofits. ©2006 by the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management
Competition in the sandbox: A test of the effects of preschool competition on educational outcomes
Authors: Henry Gary T. , Gordon Craig S.
Published: November 2005

The emergence of publicly subsidized preschool raises important policy questions about the role of market forces and, in places where competition to provide these services exists, presents a setting in which the effects of competition on educational outcomes can be tested. We test neo‐institutional hypotheses concerning the effects of competition to provide publicly‐funded prekindergarten (pre‐k) services on the performance of public schools and private organizations. We use student‐level data collected over a five‐year period on a large sample of children who attended publicly subsidized prekindergarten in Georgia. Overall, we find that more competition improves third grade reading and math test scores but does not significantly affect retention or school readiness ratings during elementary school. Not all children are equally affected by competition; for example, greater competition significantly decreases the likelihood of retention for children of the working poor. Contrary to the expectations of some theorists, both public schools and private organizations respond to increased competition in ways that improve test scores but not retention. However, children attending private prekindergarten have higher language arts scores and lower retention across the range of competition when compared with children who attended public school pre‐k. © 2006 by the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management
The impact of kindergarten entrance age policies on the childcare needs of families
Authors: Datar Ashlesha
Published: November 2005

The past two decades have seen a rising trend in the minimum entrance age for kindergarten in the U.S. A little‐noticed, but potentially large, consequence of raising the minimum entrance age is that it imposes additional childcare costs for families whose children are forced to stay out of school for an additional year. This paper develops a model for parents' kindergarten entrance age decisions and examines the relationship between socio‐economic factors and parents' desired entrance age for their child using a nationally representative dataset on kindergartners in the U.S. The estimates from this model are used to simulate the impact of alternate changes in kindergarten entrance age policies on the number and characteristics of children affected by the policy change, and to estimate the additional childcare cost burden from the policy change. © 2006 by the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management