bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Estimation of the probability of insect pest introduction through imported commodities
Authors: Yamamura K. , Katsumata H.
Published: August 2002

A quantitative risk assessment is needed for each quarantine pest insect to ensure quarantine security without sacrificing the transparency of international trade. The probability of introduction, which is defined as the probability that one or more reproductive individuals of a pest insect species pass the port, is one of the basic components determining the risk of pest invasion. The probability depends on two biological characteristics of pests: mode of reproduction and spatial distribution of insects per host plant. In this article, the probability of introduction was calculated for each of the following four categories: (1) bisexual, gregarious pests; (2) bisexual, solitary pests; (3) parthenogenetic, gregarious pests; and (4) parthenogenetic, solitary pests. Then, equations were derived to predict the effects of two prevention practices conducted before export: disinfestation treatment and the subsequent export sampling inspection of consignments. These equations also enable estimation of the probability of introduction under natural mortality, which thus can be used in place of the criterion of Maximum Pest Limit (MPL). The method was applied to the Mexican fruit fly Anastrepha ludens (Loew), as an example. The contour graph of the probability of introduction indicated the optimal combination of the intensity of two prevention practices that ensures a given security level. Existence of an antagonistic interaction was also indicated between the disinfestation treatment and the subsequent sampling inspection.
T‐Plate Fixation of Distal Radial Closing Wedge Osteotomies for Treatment of Angular Limb Deformities in 18 Dogs
Authors: Balfour Raviv J. , Boudrieau Randy J. , Gores Barbara R.
Published: August 2002

Objective— To describe the surgical technique and clinical results of treatment for forelimb angular limb deformities, secondary to premature distal radial or ulnar physeal closure, by using T‐plate fixation of a distal radial closing wedge osteotomy in 18 dogs.

Study Design— Retrospective clinical study.

Sample Population— 18 client‐owned dogs.

Methods— The medical records of 18 dogs that underwent a distal radial closing wedge osteotomy with T‐plate fixation for correction of a forelimb angular limb deformity were reviewed. Small pins (Kirschner wires) were used to obtain the appropriate alignment of the antebrachiocarpal and elbow joints and proper limb orientation. In‐hospital follow‐up evaluation was obtained at the time fracture healing was observed radiographically. Further long‐term follow‐up was obtained by owner interview.

Results— Osteotomy sites were radiographically healed within 4 to 12 weeks (mean, 8 weeks) after surgery in the 14 dogs that returned for in‐hospital follow‐up. Limb function was graded as good or excellent in all dogs. Long‐term follow‐up by owner interview rated limb function and cosmetic appearance as good to excellent in all dogs. Plate removal was necessary in one dog 7 months after surgery because of osteopenia in the radius.

Conclusion— This surgical technique was considered successful in the treatment of angular limb deformities in all dogs. A good to excellent prognosis is to be expected with this technique, with minimal complications.

Clinical Relevance— The use of a T‐plate for the correction of angular limb deformities has not been previously described in the literature. This technique permits accurate correction of the angular limb deformity and minimizes postoperative complications.
The Effect of Differing Rates and Injection Sites on the Amount of Protamine Delivered Before Detection of Hemodynamic Alterations in Dogs
Authors: Morgan M.R. , Monnet E. , Gaynor J.S.
Published: August 2002

Objectives—To determine the effect of the route and rate of protamine administration on the amount of protamine that could be delivered before a hemodynamic reaction occurred in dogs.

Study design—Prospective randomized experimental study.

Animals—Twenty adult mixed‐breed dogs weighing 25.1 ± 2.5 kg.

Methods—Before vascular surgery, the dogs were heparinized to reach an activated clotting time (ACT) of 300 seconds. After completion of the vascular surgery, protamine was administered intravenously until a hemodynamic reaction was recorded. The 4 groups of dogs were given protamine at 5 mg/min (slow) or 10 mg/min (fast) via the cephalic or the jugular veins. Systemic and pulmonary arterial pressures, central venous pressure (CVP), and pulmonary arterial occlusion pressure (PAOP) were recorded before and after protamine administration. The dose of protamine was recorded when a reaction occurred, which was defined as mean arterial pressure (MAP) <60 mm Hg or mean pulmonary arterial pressure (MPAP) >20 mm Hg or more than double the baseline value.

Results—Significant decreases in systolic arterial pressure (SAP), MAP, and diastolic arterial pressure (DAP) and significant increases in systolic (SPAP), mean (MPAP), and diastolic (DPAP) pulmonary arterial pressures were recorded after protamine administration. The cephalic slow group had significantly fewer protamine reactions than other groups (chi‐square = 8.57, P = .03, df = 3). Significantly more protamine could be delivered from the cephalic vein (52.5 ± 14.5 mg) compared with the jugular vein (37.6 ± 16 mg) before a reaction occurred (P = .048).

Conclusion—The rate of administration did not have an effect on the amount of protamine delivered. Adverse reactions were minimized when protamine was administered via the cephalic vein at a slow rate.

Clinical Relevance—We would recommend delivering protamine after cardiopulmonary bypass or vascular surgery through a peripheral venous route.
Amino Acids, Then and Now‐‐A Reflection on Sir Hans Krebs' Contribution to Nitrogen Metabolism
Authors: Brosnan John T.
Published: August 2002

H. A. Krebs made an enormous contribution to our knowledge of amino acid metabolism, beginning with his studies on proteolysis in the early 1930s, progressing through his work on urea synthesis to an extensive series of papers on deamination and, then, to work on gluconeogenesis from amino acids. This paper addresses three of Krebs' early contributions‐‐urea synthesis, glutamine metabolism, and D‐amino acid oxidase‐‐and relates them to our modern understanding of amino acid metabolism.
Study of the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) at the palindromic sequence of hypersensitive site (HS)4 of the human β‐globin locus control region (LCR) in Indian population
Authors: Kukreti Ritushree , B‐Rao Chandrika , Das Swapan Kr , De Madhusnata , Talukder Geeta , Vaz Flavian , Verma I.C. , Brahmachari Samir K.
Published: August 2002

LCR, a genetic regulatory element, was examined in β‐thalassemia patients who do not show any mutation in the β‐globin genes. We sequenced LCR‐HS2, HS3, and HS4 in samples from 16 such patients from the Indian population and found only one SNP A‐G in the inverted repeat in HS4. A significant association was observed between the G allele and occurrence of β‐thalassemia by Fisher's exact test. The AG and GG genotypes showed higher relative risk as compared to the AA genotype. We also observed linkage disequilibrium between the A/G polymorphism and the AT‐rich motif of the LCR HS2 region, suggesting that the G allele could be an evolutionarily new mutation in the study population. Am. J. Hematol. 69:77‐79, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Outdoor exposure to airborne polycyclic organic matter and adverse reproductive outcomes: A pilot study
Authors: Vassilev Zdravko P. , Robson Mark G. , Klotz Judith B.
Published: August 2002

Background

To investigate the association between outdoor airborne polycyclic organic matter (POM) and adverse reproductive outcomes in New Jersey, we used a cross‐sectional design combining air quality data from the USA EPA Cumulative Exposure Project and individual data on pregnancy outcomes from birth and fetal death certificates at the census tract level.

Methods

After excluding plural births and chromosomal anomalies, 221,406 live births and 1,591 fetal deaths registered in New Jersey during the years of 1990 and 1991 were included. The exposure estimates were derived from modeled average POM concentrations for each census tract in the state.

Results

After adjustment for potential confounders, the odds ratios (OR) for very low birth weight for the highest exposure compared to the lowest exposure group was 1.31 (95% CI 1.15–1.51); among term births, high POM exposure was associated with low birth weight OR = 1.31 (95% CI 1.21–1.43), with fetal death OR = 1.19 (95% CI 1.02–1.39) and with premature birth OR = 1.25 (95% CI 1.19–1.31). The univariate stratified analyses suggested effect modification of all observed associations by maternal alcohol consumption.

Conclusions

This study found associations between outdoor exposure to modeled average airborne POM and several adverse pregnancy outcomes. The data and methods utilized in this pilot study may be useful for identifying hazardous air pollutants requiring in‐depth investigation. Am. J. Ind. Med. 40:255–262, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
PAGOD syndrome: Eighth case and comparison to animal models of congenital vitamin A deficiency
Authors: Macayran Joanne F. , Doroshow Robin W. , Phillips Jeffrey , Sinow Robert M. , Furst Benjamin A. , Smith Lynne M. , Lin Henry J.
Published: August 2002

We observed a 46, XY infant with atrophy of the optic nerve, complex congenital heart disease including a double outlet right ventricle, hypoplasia of the right pulmonary artery and lung, eventration of the diaphragm, and ambiguous genitalia. The baby died of cardiac arrhythmias at 204 days. The pattern of malformations was compatible with pulmonary tract and pulmonary artery, agonadism, omphalocele, diaphragmatic defect, and dextrocardia (PAGOD) syndrome. The condition may resemble the malformation complex associated with developmental deficiency of vitamin A or retinoic acid, as described in animal models. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Probable genetic origin for a large number of cataracts among captive‐bred vervet monkeys (Chlorocebus aethiops)
Authors: de Villiers Charon , Seier Jürgen V. , Dhansay Muhammad A.
Published: August 2002

During a period of 6 years, uni‐ or bilateral cataracts occurred in 55 captive‐bred vervet monkeys, representing 27.6% of all offspring produced in that time. Fifty‐eight percent of all cases were detectable only by ophthalmoscopy. A total of 30% of cases were offspring of wild‐caught parents, 40% from first‐generation captive‐bred parents, 4% from second‐generation captive‐bred parents, and 26% from parents of which one was wild caught. Cataracts that could be observed macroscopically appeared at about 6–8 mo of age. A sample of juvenile vervet monkeys with cataracts and their parents had no antibodies against rubella virus, herpes simplex virus, or toxoplasma gondi, and all except two wild‐caught breeding females had no antibodies against cytomegalovirus. Plasma vitamin D3 (25 [OH] D), calcium, phosphorus, and glucose concentrations of six cataract cases were comparable to a control group of healthy individuals. The exclusion of these extraneous factors, as well as the fact that the majority of all cases were related, was considered evidence of hereditary etiology. Males and females that had either produced offspring with cataracts or were related to individuals with cataracts were replaced. To date, 35 babies have been born, and no new cases have since occurred. Am. J. Primatol. 55:43–48, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Secular trend in tooth size in urban Chinese assessed from two‐generation family data
Authors: Harris Edward F. , Potter Rosario H. , Lin Jiuxiang
Published: August 2002

Environmental improvements can lead to greater size of skeletodental structures as the population comes closer to expressing its genetic growth potential. Such secular trends have been documented in many human settings, especially for increased stature and faster tempos of growth. The present study is based on 185 same‐sex parent‐offspring pairs of data for maximum buccolingual crown diameters of the permanent teeth from a cohort in Beijing, China, where parents experienced much of their development during and after World War II with the deprivations of the changing regime. Their offspring enjoyed the relative stability of the established Communist system, where nutrition and stability were much improved. There were significant increases in buccolingual diameters of the premolars and molars in the offspring. Increase for premolars and molars was about 1%, but larger in females than males (1.6% vs. 0.5%). Opposite changes occurred in the incisors and canines (i.e., larger parental dimensions), but we contend that these are an age‐related artifact brought on by greater passive eruption of older individuals' teeth that exposes a broader portion of the crown at the gingival margin. The secular trend in crown size coincides with other research in contemporary China, disclosing increases in body size and faster tempos of growth as health and nutrition continue to improve. Am J Phys Anthropol 115:312–318, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Functional activation of microgyric visual cortex in a human
Authors: Innocenti Giorgio M. , Maeder Philippe , Knyazeva Maria G. , Fornari Eleonora , Deonna Thierry
Published: August 2002

We report on the case of a 20‐year‐old man with bilateral parasagittal parieto‐occipital polymicrogyria and epilepsy. Functional magnetic resonance imaging responses to reversing checkerboard and interhemispheric electroencephalogram coherence changes to moving gratings were investigated. Results of both studies indicate that the polymicrogyric cortex was activated by visual stimuli, suggesting preserved function in the dysplastic area.
Blends of polypropylene with poly(cis‐butadiene) rubber. II. Small‐angle X‐ray scattering studies of the phase structure of immiscible blends of polypropylene with poly(cis‐butadiene) rubber
Authors: Ma Gui‐Qiu , Yuan Xu‐Bo , Sheng Jing , Bian Dong‐Cai
Published: August 2002

Pressed films of the blends of polypropylene (PP) with poly(cis‐butadiene) rubber (PcBR) were studied by IR spectra, small‐angle X‐ray scattering, and scanning electron microscopy. The problem of the interaction between different macromolecules in the blends of PP/PcBR is discussed by melt‐mixing at a temperature of 210°C using IR. X‐ray scattering from the relation of the phase was analyzed using Porod's law, and the interface layer thickness was calculated. The immiscibility of the blends of PP/PcBR was proved. The structure parameters, the correlation distance ac, average chord lengths l̄, and radius of gyration R̄g were obtained by the Debye–Buech statistical theory of scattering. Porod's index was calculated and the shape of the dispersed phase is discussed in relation to Porod's index in the blends. The morphology and structure of the blends were investigated by scanning electron microscopy. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 83: 2088–2094, 2002
Kinetic study of a highly active MgCl2‐supported Ziegler–Natta catalyst in liquid pool propylene polymerization. II. The influence of alkyl aluminum and alkoxysilane on catalyst activation and deactivation
Authors: Shimizu Fumihiko , Pater Jochem T. M. , Van Swaaij Wim P. M. , Weickert Günter
Published: August 2002

The influence of alkyl aluminum and alkoxysilane on the kinetics in liquid pool propylene batch polymerization was investigated with a highly active Ziegler–Natta catalyst system that consisted of MgCl2/TiCl4/diester–alkoxysilane/AlR3. In this study, diethyl phthalate and t‐BuEtSi(OMe)2 were used as a diester and an alkoxysilane, respectively. The catalyst activity depended on the concentration of the alkyl aluminum when it came into contact with the catalyst. In addition, alkoxysilane as an external donor had a role in activating the catalyst. With respect to activity decay, the overreduction of Ti did not seem to be the cause. Instead, the decay rate decreased with an increasing alkoxysilane/catalyst ratio. This implied that activity decay was caused by the formation of dormant sites after 2,1‐misinsertion of propylene. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 83: 2669–2679, 2002
Synthesis and characterization of CdS nanocrystals embedded on solid electrolyte films
Authors: Liu Yinfeng , Chen Lai , Su Bei , Huang Aiming , Hua Jiadong , Sang Wenbin , Min Jiahua , Meng Zhongyan
Published: August 2002

In this article nano‐sized CdS crystal embedded in a PEO matrix was successfully prepared by a complex transformation method that is universal for preparing nanosized compounds containing transition metals. The size of embedded CdS particles was in the nanoscale from 2 to 10 nm determined by X‐ray diffusion. The nanosized CdS displayed the expected blue shift of the onset absorbance in the UV spectrum. The amount of blue shift depends upon the dipping time of the PEO–cadmium complex film in a sodium sulfide solution as well as its concentration. The most effective means for adjusting the size of CdS nanocrystals is to change the ratio of the oxygen along with the PEO chain to the cadmium ion in the complex film. The alkali salt in the film would contribute to the conductivity of the composite film. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 84: 1263–1268, 2002; DOI 10.1002/app.10459
Shear viscosity, extensional viscosity, and die swell of polypropylene in capillary flow with pressure dependency
Authors: Huang Jan‐Chan , Leong Kim‐Sweet
Published: August 2002

The shear and extensional viscosities of a polypropylene resin were studied using a capillary rheometer and capillary dies of 1‐mm diameter and length of 10, 20, and 30 mm. Melt temperatures at 190, 205, and 220°C and shear rates between 100 and 5000 s−1 were used. At the highest shear rate a visible melt fracture was observed. An equation relating the pressure drop and die length was derived with consideration of pressure effects on melt viscosities and the end effect. After the correction for pressure effects the true wall shear stress and end effect at zero pressure were calculated. The end effect showed a critical stress of melt fracture around 105 Pa, and increased rapidly when shear stress increased above the critical stress. From shear stress the shear viscosity was calculated, and a power law behavior was observed. Extensional viscosity was calculated from the end effect and showed a decreasing trend when strain rate increased. After time–temperature superposition shift shear viscosity data correlated well, but an upward trend was observed in extensional viscosity when melt fracture occurred. Die swell ratio at different temperatures can be plotted as a function of wall shear stress and was higher for shorter dies. © 2002 Wiley Perioodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 84: 1269–1276, 2002; DOI 10.1002/app.10466
Synthesis and spectral investigation of alkyl methacrylates with halogenated carbazolyl pendant groups for photonics applications
Authors: Bogdal D. , Yashchuk V. , Pielichowski J. , Ogul'Chansky T. , Warzala M. , Kudrya V.
Published: August 2002

The alkyl methacrylates with halogenated carbazolyl pendant groups were prepared, and the analysis of their absorption and emission spectra showed that the polymers containing monohalogenatged carbazole rings were capable of exhibiting a high singlet‐triplet (S‐T) conversion. The reasons that mainly triplet excitons could be observed in such polymers and additional bands appearance in the spectra of the polymers with dihalogenated carbazole rings are discussed. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 84: 1650–1656, 2002; DOI 10.1002/app.10469
Interaction between wood and polyurethane‐alkyd lacquer resulting in a decrease in the glass transition temperature
Authors: Backman A. C. , Lindberg K. A. H.
Published: August 2002

The long‐term properties of paint and glue are of great interest to both manufacturers and users of these materials. If a good bond is achieved, the surface between the wood and the paint or glue will be less susceptible to degradation. Thus, the wood and polymer must be compatible and develop some kind of bonding force between them. A high degree of interaction between wood and commercial polyurethane‐alkyd lacquer was shown as a decrease by 10°C of the glass transition temperature (Tg) for the lacquer on wood compared to the pure lacquer. The lacquer also demonstrated good adhesion to wood at a microscale. The interaction was investigated with dynamic mechanical thermal analysis and scanning electron microscopy fractography. The reason for the decrease in Tg is probably because of the lacquer having a higher free volume when applied to the wood, most likely due to it being subjected to tensile forces developed during the drying of the lacquer. Results from investigations of wood impregnated with two different acrylates, a polymethylmethacrylate and a more hydrophilic acrylate, support the suggestion that a decrease in Tg will occur if the polymer adheres to wood, but that poor interaction with little or no adhesion will result in no decrease in Tg. This article also presents results of the dynamic mechanical behavior of Scots Pine in the tangential direction. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 85: 595–605, 2002
Considerations on the macromolecular structure of chestnut ellagitannins by matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization‐time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry
Authors: Pasch H. , Pizzi A.
Published: August 2002

The rather novel picture of chestnut wood tannin, in situ in the wood, which emerges from matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization‐time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (MALDI‐TOF‐MS) is that of a pervasive and extended random tridimensional macromolecular network, formed by pentagalloylglucose clusters linked to each other, to form chains and encrust the wood constituents matrix. Up to pentagalloylglucose trimers were identified in the MALDI‐TOF analysis of the commercial chestnut tannin extract, which were clearly degradation products of more extensive chains likely to be present in situ in the wood before extraction, in the network through polygallic/polyellagic chains or flavogallonic acid bridges. The hydrolyzable chestnut tannin network is capable of being extracted, to yield the commercial chestnut tannin extract exclusively by its degradation, a degradation that is possible only because of the susceptibility to hydrolysis of the ester bridges holding the network together. Internal rearrangements of the fragments formed by the extraction appear to occur readily and with ease, to yield a variety of structures characterized by the presence of ellagic acid residues, flavogallonic acid residues, and also, but less readily, nonahydroxytriphnoic acid residues. The other main constituents of the commercial tannin extract, castalagin and vescalagin, are shown to be simply the more stable degradation plus internal rearrangement products derived from the hydrolysis of polypentagalloylglucose chains. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 85: 429–437, 2002
Microhardness and water sorption in injection‐molded starch
Authors: Ania F. , Dunkel M. , Bayer R. K. , Baltá‐Calleja F. J.
Published: August 2002

The microhardness of injection‐molded potato starch was investigated in relation to the water sorption mechanism. The creep behavior under the indenter and the temperature dependence of the microhardness are reported. The influence of the drying time on microhardness, weight loss and density changes for materials with different injection‐molding temperatures is highlighted. Results reveal the role of the various mechanisms of water evaporation involved. The occurring structural mechanisms are discussed in terms of the gradual transformation of single helices of amylose and amylopectin into a network structure of double helices and the partial destruction of this structure. Experiments on starch samples, heated at 200°C, suggested the occurrence of an extreme densification of the network hindering the water adsorption in a humid atmosphere. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 85: 1246–1252, 2002
Super polyolefin blends achieved via dynamic packing injection molding: Tensile strength
Authors: Wang Yong , Zou Hao , Fu Qiang , Zhang Gong , Shen Kaizhi
Published: August 2002

The tensile strength of some polyolefin blends, HDPE/PP, HDPE/LDPE, HDPE/ LLDPE, and PP/LLDPE, achieved by dynamic packing injection molding have been investigated as a function of composition and melt temperature. Molecular architecture and phase behavior play an important role in chain orientation, hence the tensile strength. For HDPE, which has a linear structure, the highest enhancement of tensile strength is obtained. LDPE, which has a highly branched structure, the smallest enhancement is seen. PP and LLDPE lie in between. Super polyolefin blends with high tensile strength and high elongation have been obtained by this method. The shear‐induced morphologies with core in the center, oriented zone surrounding the core and skin layer were observed in the cross‐section areas of the samples. The tensile strength was found to be directly proportional to the area of the oriented zone. When the area of oriented zone is less than 35%, the tensile strength is not only the orientation dependency but the blending components dependency as well. When the area of oriented zone is more than 35%, however, our new finding is that the orientation will be the dominating parameter to determine the tensile strength of the blends, independent of the components, the composition, molecular architecture, phase behavior, and crystal morphology. The maximum tensile strength for all the polyolefin blends is extrapolated as to 230MPa, as the area of oriented zone reaches to 100%. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 85: 236–243, 2002
Novel dibutyltin oxide–tributyl phosphate condensate as accelerator for the curing of the epoxy resin/4,4′‐diamino diphenyl sulfone system. I. Chemical reactions and properties of the cured resin
Authors: Xu Jianjun , Song Rui , Wu Qi , Yu Yunzhao
Published: August 2002

A crystalline condensate of dibutyltin oxide and tributyl phosphate (Sn‐P‐c) was more effective than the stannous octoate and dibutyltin dilaurate in accelerating the curing of the epoxy resin/4,4′‐diamino diphenyl sulfone (DDS) system, based on an equal tin concentration. Water took part in the reaction and played an important role in the morphology and mechanical properties of the cured resin when Sn‐P‐c was used as the accelerator. In the presence of Sn‐P‐c, water first reacted with glycidyl ether to yield glycerol ether; the yielded hydroxyl group may further catalyze the amino/epoxy group reaction. In the absence of water or polar hydroxyl additives, Sn‐P‐c did not completely dissolve in the resin systems, and the cured resin was translucent material with poor mechanical strength. In the presence of a small amount of water, the cured material became transparent. Both flexural strength and maximum deflection were increased greatly. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 80: 1229–1236, 2001
Infrared and thermal analyses of polybenzoxazine and polycarbonate blends
Authors: Ishida Hatsuo , Lee Yu‐Hsin
Published: August 2002

The thermal properties of physical blends containing benzoxazine monomer and polycarbonate (PC) were studied by nonisothermal differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The ring‐opening reaction and subsequent polymerization reaction of the benzoxazine were inhibited significantly by the presence of polycarbonate. The glass‐transition temperature of the resulting blends decreased as the concentration of polycarbonate increased and deviated markedly from the Fox equation. An earlier degradation event appeared in the blend with 11 and 33 wt % of PC. In addition, FTIR was used to study the extent of the polymerization reaction as well as the hydrogen‐bonding behavior. Intermolecular hydrogen bonding between PC and cured polybenzoxazine appeared after 1 h of isothermal curing at 180°C and continued throughout the entire curing process. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 81: 1021–1034, 2001
Permeation of oxygen and water vapor through EVOH films as influenced by relative humidity
Authors: Zhang Zhongbin , Britt Ian J. , Tung Marvin A.
Published: August 2002

The transport properties of oxygen and water vapor through EVOH films as functions of relative humidity (RH) and temperature were studied. The results of oxygen and water vapor permeation demonstrated that temperature and RH markedly affected barrier properties of these films. In general, the EVOH films had minimal oxygen and water vapor permeabilities at a low RH, attributed to the reduced mobility of the polymer resulting from strong interactions between small water molecules and the polymeric matrix at low RH. Beyond 75% RH, the permeabilities increased considerably. In addition, the barrier performance of the EVOH films was found to be dependent on their ethylene content and orientation. From the experimental data, semiempirical equations describing oxygen transmission rates (O2TR) as functions of RH and temperature were developed. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 82: 1866–1872, 2001
Toughening of polypropylene with styrene/ethylene‐butylene/styrene tri‐block copolymer: Effects of mixing condition and elastomer content
Authors: Bassani A. , Pessan L. A. , Hage E.
Published: August 2002

The effect of processing conditions and elastomer content on the toughening of Polypropylene (PP) by melt blending with styrene/ethylene‐butylene/styrene tri‐block copolymer (SEBS) in a twin‐screw extruder has been investigated. The parameters analyzed were: temperature profile, screw speed, and feed rate of the blend components. Their effect was evaluated through the mechanical properties (tensile strength and Izod impact resistance at room temperature) as well as the morphology of the dispersed phase by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results showed that the impact resistance increases with increasing rotor speed and feed rate and decreases when the temperature profile is increased. The parameter with the greatest effect on the mechanical properties was the variation in rotor speed. Despite the fact that impact resistance as high as 25 times that of neat PP has been achieved with blends containing 20 wt % SEBS, no significant modification in phase morphology has been observed. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 82: 2185–2193, 2001
A metal binding in the polypeptide chain improves the folding efficiency of a denatured and reduced protein
Authors: Ohkuri Takatoshi , Ueda Tadashi , Yoshida Yuichiro , Abe Yoshito , Hamasaki Naotaka , Imoto Taiji
Published: August 2002

In order to examine the effect of a metal binding to the polypeptide chain on the aggregation of a protein in the refolding process, we prepared a mutant hen lysozyme possessing the same Ca2+ binding site as in human α‐lactalbumin by Escherichia coli expression system (Ser−1 CaB lysozyme). In the presence of 2 mM CaCl2, the refolding yield of Ser−1 CaB lysozyme at a low protein concentration (25 μg/mL) was similar to that of the wild‐type lysozyme (80%), but that at high protein concentration (200 μg/mL) decreased (15%) due to aggregation comparing to that of the wild‐type lysozyme (45%). However, the refolding yield of Ser−1 CaB lysozyme in the presence of 100 mM CaCl2 even at a protein concentration of 200 μg/mL was 80% and was higher than that of the wild‐type lysozyme. From analysis of chemical shift changes of the cross peaks in the backbone region of total correlated spectroscopy (TOCSY) spectra of a decapeptide possessing the same calcium binding site as in Ser−1 CaB lysozyme in the presence of various concentrations of Ca2+, it was suggested that the dissociation constant of Ca2+‐peptide complex was estimated to be 20–36 mM. Moreover, the solubility of the denatured Ser−1 CaB lysozyme in the presence of 100 mM CaCl2 was higher than that in the presence of 2 mM CaCl2 whereas the solubility of the denatured Ser−1 lysozyme in the presence of 100 mM CaCl2 was not higher than that in the presence of 2 mM CaCl2. Therefore, it was concluded that the reduced lysozyme possessing the Ca2+ binding site was efficiently folded in the presence of high concentration of Ca2+ (100 mM) even at high protein concentration due to depression of aggregation by the binding of Ca2+ to the polypeptide chain in Ser−1 CaB lysozyme. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 64: 106–114, 2002
One‐step acclimatization of plantlets using a mist reactor
Authors: Correll M. J. , Weathers P. J.
Published: August 2002

A mist reactor was used to grow and acclimatize carnation plants in vitro without using ex vitro acclimatization techniques. The acclimatization protocol in the reactor consisted of altering the mist‐on period during the course of the culture period and a stepwise reduction in the relative humidity surrounding the plants from 98% to 70% relative humidity (RH) during the final week of in vitro growth. After transfer and further growth in a greenhouse for 5 weeks, survival was 91% for plants grown in reactors, 81% from vented boxes, and 50% from unvented boxes. Ex vitro survival directly correlated with increased in vitro rooting and decreased hyperhydration. In vitro rooting also correlated with high‐quality plants, but did not significantly correlate with low hyperhydration, as normal plants often lacked roots. After 5 weeks in the greenhouse, the quantity of mid‐ and high‐quality plants obtained from reactors and ventilated boxes was similar. Conditions in the mist reactor can be manipulated to produce plants that are readily acclimatized and are equal or better in quality and yield than plants produced using conventional methods. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Biotechnol Bioeng 73: 253–258, 2001.
Characterization of the stability of recombinant protein production in the GS‐NS0 expression system
Authors: Barnes Louise M. , Bentley Catherine M. , Dickson Alan J.
Published: August 2002

The GS‐NS0 system is an important mammalian expression system used largely within industry for the high‐level expression of recombinant proteins for therapeutic use. It is essential that the productivity of this system remains stable throughout culture expansion for the successful long‐term production of recombinant proteins. Here we present a study of the stability of recombinant protein production from unamplified GS‐NS0 cell lines over extended period of continuous culture. The cell lines used in this study were generated by the transfection of NS0 cells with DNA encoding for a secreted recombinant protein and by two subsequent rounds of limiting dilution cloning prior to analysis of stability. The stability of recombinant protein production was assessed at intervals over a period of 134 days using repeated batch culture in shake flasks. Heterogeneous stability was identified. The productivity of some clones remained consistent throughout 134 days of continuous culture. Others exhibit rapid and progressive loss of productivity. Analysis of the causal relationships underlying stability indicates that the initial transfectant determines the susceptibility to loss or retention of productivity. Selection of production clones on the basis of growth and productivity alone will not predict stability during long‐term culture. Our research indicates that stable high‐producing clones can readily be obtained from use of the GS‐NS0 system in the absence of amplification but there may be molecular features of the original transfectants that could serve as very important predictive indicators of the stability of recombinant protein production. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Biotechnol Bioeng 73: 261–270, 2001.
dELL, a drosophila homologue of transcription elongation factor ELL (eleven‐nineteen lysine rich leukemia), is required for early development
Authors: Khattak Shahryar , Im Hogune , Park Taeju , Ahnn Joohong , Spoerel Nikolaus A.
Published: August 2002

ELL (Eleven‐nineteen Lysine rich Leukemia) is known to be an elongation factor resembling elongin for RNA polymerase II transcription. A homologue of human ELL (hELL) was identified in Drosophila melanogaster (dELL) and several cDNA clones were isolated from the embryonic cDNA library. We showed that dELL is expressed mainly in the ovaries and early embryonic stages by developmental Northern blot. dELL encodes a protein of 912 amino acids which is substantially longer than the hELL (612 aa). Immunostaining revealed that dELL was localized to nuclei in early embryos and to nuclei of nurse cells and follicle cells in the ovary suggesting its important role in early development of drosophila. To elucidate the function of this gene in drosophila, P‐element mobilization was performed by utilizing a P‐element inserted upstream of dELL. Southern analysis showed that isolated mutants are internal P‐element deletions. These P‐element deletions can now be used to isolate dELL mutations by EMS mutagenesis. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Gamma synuclein: Subcellular localization in neuronal and non‐neuronal cells and effect on signal transduction
Authors: Surguchov Andrei , Palazzo Robert E. , Surgucheva Irina
Published: August 2002

Synucleins are small, highly conserved proteins in vertebrates, especially abundant in neurons and typically enriched in presynaptic terminals. α‐Synuclein protein and a fragment of it, called NAC, have been found in association with pathological lesions of neurodegenerative diseases. Recently, mutations in a α‐synuclein gene have been reported in families susceptible to an inherited form of Parkinson's diseases. In addition, α‐synuclein has been implicated in the pathophysiology of other neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease and multiple system atrophy. Far less is known about other members of the synuclein family, β‐ and γ‐synucleins. γ‐synuclein is up‐regulated in several types of cancer and may affect the integrity of the neurofilament network, while its bovine ortholog, synoretin, activates the Elk‐1 signal transduction pathway. In this paper, we present data about the localization and properties of human and bovine γ‐synuclein in several neuronal and non‐neuronal cell cultures derived from ocular tissues. We show that γ‐synuclein is present in the perinuclear area and is localized to centrosomes in several types of human interphase cells and in bovine retinal pigment epithelium. In mitotic cells, γ‐synuclein staining is localized to the poles of the spindle. Further, overexpression of synoretin in retinoblastoma cells up‐regulates MAPK and Elk‐1. These results support the view that γ‐synuclein is a centrosome protein that may be involved in signal transduction pathways. Cell Motil. Cytoskeleton 49:218–228, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Axonal projections of pulmonary slowly adapting receptor relay neurons in the rat
Authors: Ezure Kazuhisa , Tanaka Ikuko , Saito Yoshiaki , Otake Kazuyoshi
Published: August 2002

We elucidated efferent projections of second‐order relay neurons (P‐cells) activated by afferents originating from slowly adapting pulmonary receptors (SARs) to determine the central pathway of the SAR‐evoked reflexes. Special attention was paid to visualizing the P‐cell projections within the nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS), which may correspond to the inhibitory pathway from P‐cells to second‐order relay neurons (RAR‐cells) of rapidly adapting pulmonary receptors. P‐cells were recorded from the NTS in Nembutal‐anesthetized, paralyzed, and artificially ventilated rats. First, we used electrophysiological methods of antidromic mapping and showed that the majority of the P‐cells examined projected their axons to the caudal NTS and to the dorsolateral pons corresponding to the parabrachial complex. Second, a mixture of HRP and Neurobiotin was injected intracellularly or juxtramembranously into P‐cells. (1) Stained P‐cells (n = 7) were located laterally to the solitary tract and had dendrites extending characteristically along the lateral border of the solitary tract. (2) All P‐cells had stem axons projecting to the ipsilateral medulla. Of these, the axons from five P‐cells projected to the nucleus ambiguus and its vicinity with distributing boutons. Some of these axons further ascended in the ventrolateral medulla, and distributed boutons in the areas ventral or ventrolateral to the nucleus ambiguus. (3) All the P‐cells had axonal branches with boutons in the NTS area. In particular, axons from three P‐cells projected bilaterally to the medial NTS caudal to the obex, i.e., to the area of RAR‐cells. These results show anatomic substrates for the connections implicated in the P‐cell inhibition of RAR‐cells as well as the SAR‐induced respiratory reflexes. J. Comp. Neurol. 446:81–94, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
TrkB‐like immunoreactivity is present on geniculocortical afferents in layer IV of kitten primary visual cortex
Authors: Silver Michael A. , Stryker Michael P.
Published: August 2002

Exogenous administration of the neurotrophins brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) or neurotrophin‐4/5 (NT‐4/5), or blockade of their endogenous actions, have been reported to affect the anatomic organization and physiological responses of neurons in developing mammalian primary visual cortex. Experimental alteration of levels of these neurotrophic factors can also influence the morphology of the geniculocortical afferents that project from the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) to primary visual cortex. BDNF and NT‐4/5 are ligands of the TrkB tyrosine kinase receptor. Although multiple populations of cortical neurons express TrkB, it is not known whether geniculocortical afferents express this receptor on their axon branches in visual cortex. We have anatomically labeled geniculocortical afferents of postnatal day 40 kittens with the anterograde neuronal tracer Phaseolus vulgaris leucoagglutinin (PHA‐L) and performed double‐label immunofluorescence with a panel of anti‐TrkB antibodies. Confocal microscopy and object‐based colocalization analysis were used to measure levels of TrkB‐like immunoreactivity (IR) on geniculocortical afferents in layer IV of primary visual cortex. By using a conservative analysis involving a comparison of measured colocalization with the amount of colocalization expected based on random overlap of TrkB puncta and PHA‐L–labeled afferents, 3 of 5 anti‐TrkB antibodies tested showed significant colocalization with the geniculocortical axons. Results for the other two antibodies were indeterminate. The indices obtained for colocalization of TrkB and geniculocortical afferents were also compared with the equivalent index obtained for GAD65, a protein that has a similar overall expression pattern to that of TrkB but is not expressed on geniculocortical axons. This analysis indicated that TrkB was present on geniculocortical axons for all five TrkB antibodies tested. TrkB‐like IR was also observed on neuronal somata in the LGN. These results indicate that TrkB receptors on geniculocortical afferents are potential mediators of the actions of BDNF and NT‐4/5 in developing visual cortex. J. Comp. Neurol. 436:391–398, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Flow cytometric discrimination of various phycobilin‐containing phytoplankton groups in a hypertrophic reservoir
Authors: Becker Annette , Meister Armin , Wilhelm Christian
Published: August 2002

Background

Knowledge of phytoplankton structure is important information in water quality control. Lake restoration and sanitation measures in particular must be evaluated on the organismic level to valuate biological effects and assess the risk of potentially toxic Cyanobacteria blooms. We used and comparatively tested three independent methods for phytoplankton analysis in a hypertrophic reservoir under restoration.

Methods

Nine unialgal cultures and outdoor samples were examined by high‐performance liquid chromatography pigment analysis, microscopical cell counting, and flow cytometric (FCM) light scatter and fluorescence analysis to measure the percentage contribution of the major algal groups to chlorophyll a and biovolume. The FCM instrument settings and identification criteria were developed using a single excitation wavelength at 514 nm to differentiate nine algal species representing the major groups of algae. Fluorescence was detected at 585, 620, 650, and 680 nm.

Results

The results show that FCM is the only method for determining changes in the phytoplankton composition on both a chlorophyll a and biovolume basis.

Conclusions

Each of the three methods has specific advantages and disadvantages, and should be chosen depending on the experimental problem. FCM sorting allows the combination of all three and offers further new perspectives. Cytometry 48:45–57, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Fine‐needle aspiration cytology of phyllodes tumors
Authors: Jayaram Gita , Sthaneshwar Pavai
Published: August 2002

Breast lesions with a significant spindle cell or mesenchymal component are not commonly encountered in fine‐needle aspiration (FNA) cytologic material and include a heterologous variety of benign and malignant conditions, with phyllodes tumors (PTs) being the foremost differential diagnostic consideration. This study comprises 28 tumors diagnosed histologically as PT in which FNAC material was available for review. Histological sections and cytological smears from these cases were retrieved and subjected to detailed morphological review. Cytological parameters assessed included ratio of stroma to epithelium, pattern characteristics and cytological characteristics of the stromal, and epithelial components and the background cells. Large and hypercellular stroma fragments, dissociated spindle and plump stromal cells, often accompanied by large, folded sheets of epithelium were cytological features that characterized PT. Smears from malignant PT showed predominantly or solely mesenchymal components. FNAC was a highly reliable procedure for the diagnosis of PT, giving an accuracy rate of 92.8%. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2002;26:222–227. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Calcifying aponeurotic fibroma features seen on fine‐needle aspiration biopsy: Case report and brief review of the literature
Authors: Tai Lisa H. , Johnston James O. , Klein Harvey Z. , Rowland John , Sudilovsky Daniel
Published: August 2002

Calcifying aponeurotic fibroma is a rare benign soft tissue proliferation, which occurs in the distal extremities in children. We describe a case of calcifying aponeurotic fibroma of the hand in a 9 year‐old male diagnosed by FNA. Clinically and radiographically this mass was felt to be suspicious for sarcoma, likely alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma. Cytologic examination revealed benign appearing spindled cells, chondroid cells, multinucleated giant cells and calcific debris. These features recapitulate the classic histologic features of calcifying aponeurotic fibroma. Conservative excision was performed and histologic exam confirmed the diagnosis. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first description of the cytologic features of this entity. Diagn. Cytopathol. 24:336–339, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.