bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Design, syntheses, and evaluation of 2,3‐diphenylcycloprop‐2‐en‐1‐ones and oxime derivatives as potential cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) inhibitors with analgesic‐antiinflammatory activity
Authors: Li Huiying , Praveen Rao P.N. , Habeeb Amgad G. , Knaus Edward E.
Published: November 2002

A group of 2,3‐diphenylcycloprop‐2‐enes having a variety of substituents at the para‐position of the C‐2 phenyl ring (H, F), and C‐3 phenyl ring (H, F, SMe, SOMe, SO2Me), in conjunction with either a C‐1 carbonyl, oxime, oxime acetate, benzoyl hydrazone, or hydrogen substituent were synthesized for in vivo evaluation as analgesic and antiinflammatory (AI) agents, and as potential selective cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) inhibitors. This group of cycloprop‐2‐ene compounds exhibited significant analgesic activity, since 4% NaCl‐induced abdominal constriction was reduced by 43–90% at 30 min, and 41–100% at 60 min, after drug administration relative to the reference drugs aspirin and celecoxib (58% and 32% inhibition at 30 min after drug administration) for a 50 mg/kg intraperitoneal dose. AI activities, determined using the carrageenan‐induced rat paw edema assay, showed that this class of cycloprop‐2‐ene compounds exhibited AI activities in the inactive‐to‐modest activity range (0–26% inhibition) for a 50 mg/kg oral dose. The AI potency order for a group of 2,3‐diphenylcycloprop‐2‐enes with respect to the C‐1 substituent was oxime>hydrogen>carbonyl>benzoyl hydrazone. 2,3‐Diphenylcycloprop‐2‐en‐1‐one oxime (20) was the most active AI agent, inducing a 26% reduction in inflammation, relative to the reference drugs ibuprofen and celecoxib, which showed 52% and 58% reductions in inflammation, at 5 h after drug administration. In vitro COX‐1 and COX‐2 inhibition studies showed that 2,3‐diphenylcycloprop‐2‐en‐1‐one oxime (20) is a selective COX‐2 inhibitor (COX‐1 IC50>100 μM; COX‐2 IC50=2.94 μM; COX‐2 selectivity index>34). A molecular modeling study that docked the oxime (20) in the active site of the human COX‐2 isozyme showed that it binds in the vicinity of the mouth of the COX‐2 binding site with the O‐atom of the oxime (=N–OH) moiety separated from the NH2 group of Arg120 by about 3.65 Å. This orientation of the oxime compound (20) in the COX‐2 binding site could be due to a potentially strong ionic interaction between the =NOH oxime moiety and the guanidinium moiety of Arg120. Drug Dev. Res. 57:6–17, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Markers of endothelial function in pediatric stem cell transplantation for acute leukemia
Authors: Luzzatto Guido , Cella Giuseppe , Messina Chiara , Randi Maria Luigia , Sbarai Alessandra , Zanesco Luigi
Published: November 2002

Background

Endothelial cells and leukocytes intimately interact in inflammation and coagulation processes, so that dysregulation of their function may lead to both cellular damage and thrombosis, which may occur as complications of bone marrow transplantation (BMT). Partially conflicting evidence about endothelial markers and their relationships with clinical complications after BMT has been reported in the literature. Since almost all studies were carried out in adults, we evaluated some recent available markers of endothelial cell function in pediatric patients undergoing stem cell transplantation (SCT) for acute leukemia.

Procedure

We studied the variation in circulating serum endothelial‐selectin (ES), leukocyte‐selectin (LS), thrombomodulin (TM), von Willebrand factor (vWF), nitrate + nitrite (NO2−/NO3−), endothelin‐1 (EN), and tissue factor (TF) in 21 pediatric patients undergoing SCT for acute leukemia.

Results

ES and LS significantly lowered following SCT and returned to pre‐SCT levels 4 weeks after the procedure. NO2−/NO3− markedly increased following SCT. Also, TM and vWF increased, although such changes did not reach statistical significance. EN and TF did not appreciably change. A strong correlation was observed between white blood cell (WBC) count and both ES and LS, as well as between such selectins. TM significantly correlated with both selectins and NO2−/NO3−. The pre‐conditioning levels of TM and vWF in patients undergoing major complications, considered altogether, were significantly lower and higher, respectively, than in uncomplicated patients. NO2−/NO3− levels 3 and 4 weeks post‐SCT were significantly lower in patients suffering from veno occlusive disease. Both selectins were significantly higher in allo‐ than in auto‐transplanted patients 4 weeks after SCT.

Conclusions

Our data support the hypothesis of severe endothelial damage after conditioning and SCT, particularly allogeneic. However, the increase in TM, which has strong anticoagulant properties, and metabolites of NO, involved also in protective actions, may reflect regeneration of the anti‐thrombotic endothelial function. This could take place after transitory functional impairment, rather than pure endothelial damage. Med Pediatr Oncol 2003;40:9–12, © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Cavitation of polyethylene during extrusion processing instabilities
Authors: Son Younggon , Migler Kalman B.
Published: November 2002

We present observations of cavitation that occur inside a capillary die during extrusion of polyethylene. This phenomenon was observed over the last 1.5 mm of the capillary tube immediately upstream of the exit. We observed spontaneous formation of voids near the wall that grew to a typical length and width of 150 μm, and then shrank and disappeared over a time frame of approximately 20 ms. From velocity measurements of these structures, we concluded that their width in the radial direction was smaller than in the axial and lateral directions, and they were near the wall. The shape of the cavities was highly irregular. We assessed the roles of extensional stress and shear stress at the exit region and concluded that they were not the direct cause of cavitation. Rather, cavitation occurs in conjunction with an upstream rupture of the polymer that occurs in the contraction region leading into the capillary tube (gross melt fracture). We argue that the exit region does, however, serve as the initiation point of the cavitation because of a combination of the reduced pressure and extensional stress. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 40: 2791–2799, 2002
Microviscosity in poly(ethylene oxide)‐polypropylene oxide‐poly(ethylene oxide) block copolymers probed by fluorescence depolarization kinetics
Authors: Jeon Sangmin , Granick Steve , Kwon Kwan‐Wook , Char Kookheon
Published: November 2002

Triblock copolymers [poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) and polypropylene oxide (PPO)], Pluronic F127 with 100 PEO blocks on each end, and 65 blocks of PPO in the center were examined in aqueous solution. The “sol” and “gel” phase diagram was determined as a function of concentration and temperature. For further study, the concentration was fixed at 20 wt %, and the temperature dependence of the dynamic viscosity differed from the temperature dependence of fluorescence emission spectra and the microviscosity probed by the fluorescence depolarization kinetics of rhodamine 123 dye, which was dissolved in the continuous hydrophilic phase. The depolarization measurements used single‐photon counting after two‐photon excitation with a Ti‐sapphire femtosecond laser. Although the viscoelastic modulus increased by an order of magnitude when the sol‐to‐gel transition was crossed, the microviscosity of the hydrophilic continuous medium showed only minor changes. At different temperatures the fluorescence lifetime was the same with a single‐exponential time constant, but the fluorescence depolarization displayed a double‐exponential decay. After comparison with fluorescence depolarization of the dye in PPO melt and PEO whose molecular weight and aqueous concentrations were varied, the relative proportions of faster and slower components of the fluorescence depolarization were tentatively attributed to varying ratios of the dye in free solution and associated with micelles. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 40: 2883–2888, 2002
Structure and properties of polyamide‐6/vermiculite nanocomposites prepared by direct melt compounding
Authors: Tjong S. C. , Meng Y. Z. , Xu Y.
Published: November 2002

Polyamide‐6 (PA6)/vermiculite nanocomposites were fabricated through the direct melt compounding of maleic anhydride‐modified vermiculite (MAV) with PA6 in a twin‐screw extruder followed by injection molding. The structure and morphology of the nanocomposites were determined by X‐ray diffraction and scanning and transmission electron microscopy techniques. The results revealed the formation of intercalated and exfoliated vermiculite platelets in the PA6 matrix. Tensile measurement showed that the tensile modulus and strength of the nanocomposites tended to increase with increasing vermiculite content. The thermal properties of the nanocomposites were determined by dynamic mechanical analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, and thermogravimetry measurements. The storage modulus of the PA6–MAV nanocomposites increased to almost twice that of the neat PA6. The thermal stability of the nanocomposites increased dramatically, and this was associated with the addition of vermiculite. The effect of the addition of maleic anhydride on the formation of the PA6–vermiculite nanocomposites was examined. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 40: 2860–2870, 2002
Surface modification of ethylene‐co‐tetrafluoroethylene films by remote plasmas
Authors: Inagaki Norihiro , Narushima Kazuo , Lim Sang Kyoo , Park Yong Woo , Ikeda Yousuke
Published: November 2002

The surface modifications of ethylene‐co‐tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE) surfaces by six plasmas (direct H2, Ar, and O2 plasmas and remote H2, Ar, and O2 plasmas) were investigated with two questions in mind: (1) what plasma could effectively modify ETFE surfaces and (2) which of the CF2CF2 and CH2CH2 components in ETFE was selectively modified? The plasma exposure led to a weight loss from the ETFE surfaces and changes in the chemical composition on ETFE surfaces. The weight‐loss rate showed a strong dependence on what plasma was used for the modification. The remote H2 plasma led to the lowest rate of weight loss in the six plasma exposures, and the direct O2 plasma led to the highest rate of weight loss. During exposure to the plasmas, defluorination occurred, and two new C1s components [CH2CHFCH2 and CH2CH(OR)CFx, and CH2CHFCF2, CH2C(O)CFx, and CFxC(O)O] were formed on the modified ETFE surfaces. Defluorination was strongly influenced by what plasma was used for the modification. The remote H2 and Ar plasmas showed high defluorinations of 55 and 51%, respectively. The remote O2 plasma showed a low defluorination of only 25%. Conclusively, the remote H2 and Ar plasma exposure effectively modified ETFE surfaces. With the exposure of these surfaces to the remote H2 plasma, the CF2CF2 component was predominantly modified, rather than the CH2CH2 component. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 40: 2871–2882, 2002
Structure induced by irradiation of femtosecond laser pulse in dyed polymeric materials
Authors: Katayama Shigeru , Horiike Mika , Hirao Kazuyuki , Tsutsumi Naoto
Published: November 2002

We investigated the structures induced by an irradiation of a near‐infrared (NIR) femtosecond laser pulse in dye‐doped polymeric materials {poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), thermoplastic epoxy resin (Epoxy), and a block copolymer of methyl methacrylate and ethyl acrylate‐butyl acrylate [p(MMA/EA‐BA) block copolymer]}. Dyes used were classified into two types—type 1 with absorption at 400 nm and type 2 with no absorption at 400 nm. The 400‐nm wavelength corresponds to the two‐photon absorption region by the irradiated NIR laser pulse at 800 nm. Type 1 dye‐doped PMMA and p(MMA/EA‐BA) block copolymer showed a peculiar dye additive effect for the structures induced by the line irradiation of a NIR femtosecond laser pulse. On the contrary, dye‐doped Epoxy did not exhibit a dye additive effect. The different results among PMMA, p(MMA/EA‐BA) block copolymer, and Epoxy matrix polymers are supposed to be related to the difference of electron‐acceptor properties. The mechanism of this type 1 dye‐additive‐effect phenomenon for PMMA and p(MMA/EA‐BA) block copolymer is discussed on the basis of two‐photon absorption of type 1 dye at 400 nm by the irradiation of a femtosecond laser pulse with 800 nm wavelength and the dissipation of the absorbed energy to the polymer matrix among various transition processes. Dyes with a low‐fluorescence quantum yield favored the formation of thicker grating structures. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 40: 2800–2806, 2002
Sexual violence against women. The role of gynecology and obstetrics societies in Brazil
Authors: Faúndes A , Andalft J
Published: November 2002

Sexual violence is highly prevalent although barely visible in most countries. While its prevention is a task of the whole society, the care of the women who suffer sexual violence, from immediate assistance to treatment of its consequences, is a responsibility of obstetricians–gynecologists. One of the most severe consequences of rape is unwanted pregnancy, which frequently ends in abortion. Currently, even in countries where abortion following rape is accepted by the law, raped women do not have access to legal abortion. The role of obstetricians–gynecologists in solving this problem is described, giving as an example the work of the Brazilian Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics Societies (FEBRASGO). After 5 years of work of a special FEBRASGO Committee, services for the comprehensive care of women victims of sexual violence exist in all mayor cities in Brazil and are rapidly expanding.
The American College of Nurse–Midwives Domestic Violence Education Project (DVEP)
Authors: Bohn D.K , Paluzzi P , Vivio D
Published: November 2002

Objective: The American College of Nurse–Midwives implemented a 4‐year Domestic Violence Education Project (DVEP) with the goal of educating all midwives in the USA to respond appropriately to abuse experienced by the women they serve. Method: A four‐pronged set of objectives was used that included policy, basic preservice education, continuing education and activism/advocacy. Result: The success of this project is the sustainable impact on education of student midwives and a continued commitment to this issue. Conclusion: The full impact of the DVEP on practicing midwives may not be measurable for some time.
Violence against women: what is the World Health Organization doing?
Authors: Garcı́a‐Moreno C
Published: November 2002

The paper summarizes the activities of the WHO in response to violence against women. These focus on research and development of norms and standards.
Endoscopy in hyperemesis gravidarum and Helicobacter pylori infection
Authors: Bagis T. , Gumurdulu Y. , Kayaselcuk F. , Yilmaz E.S. , Killicadag E. , Tarim E.
Published: November 2002

Objectives: To establish a relationship between hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) and Helicobacter pylori (H. Pylori) infection by histologic testing. Methods: Twenty patients with severe HG (Group I) and 10 volunteer pregnant women without gastric complaints (Group II) were included in the study. Endoscopic evaluations were done in both groups and biopsies were obtained from the antrum and corpus for the histopathologic diagnosis of H. pylori. The groups were compared with the χ2‐test and Fisher's exact test where appropriate. Results: H. pylori was diagnosed in 19 (95%) of 20 patients in Group I and 5 (50%) of 10 patients in group II. H. pylori densities in the antrum and corpus were higher in Group I and the differences between the two groups were statistically significant. The biopsy specimens revealed significant inflammation and H. pylori activation processes in patients with HG, and in 18 of 19 patients inflammation scores were greater than +2 on the scale. Pangastritis was demonstrated by endoscopic examination in 17 of 20 patients with HG. Enterogastric reflux was also diagnosed in 10 patients. In the control group, three patients had antral gastritis. Conclusions: We suggest that in patients with intractable nausea and vomiting during pregnancy, pangastritis and enterogastric reflux are the main endoscopic findings and that these findings are closely associated with H. pylori infection, which can be diagnosed histologically. The degree of gastric complaints may be associated with the density of H. pylori infection.
Biochemical markers for the prediction of spontaneous pre‐term birth
Authors: Paternoster D.M. , Stella A. , Gerace P. , Manganelli F. , Plebani M. , Snijders D. , Nicolini U.
Published: November 2002

Objectives: The aim of this study was to identify predictive biochemical markers for preterm labor. Methods: In this prospective study we included 225 asymptomatic Caucasian women consecutively enrolled at 24 weeks of gestation. The following data were collected only once at 24 weeks of gestation: vaginal pH, vaginal fFN, cervical and serum concentration of IL‐6, IL‐8 and TNFα, maternal blood serum, ferritin. Student's t‐test, the χ2‐test and multiple linear regression were used as statistical methods. Results: There were no differences between the age of patients, parity and gestational age at sampling between women who delivered at term and those who delivered pre‐term (<37 weeks’ gestation). There was a significant increase of cervical IL‐6 (pre‐term 608±1595 pg/l vs. at term 58.9±112 pg/l) and serum ferritin (pre‐term μg/l 74.4±1.1 vs. at term 26.3±56.5 μg/l) in pregnant women who delivered pre‐term (P<0.05). No differences in cervical IL‐8 and cervical TNFα between pre‐term and term deliveries were found. Multiple linear regression confirmed that the vaginal pH value and cervical fFN test were the best predictive biochemical markers of pre‐term birth (standardized coefficient Beta=0.33 and 0.22, respectively). Conclusions: In order to evaluate pregnancies for pre‐term labor, the presence of pH>4.5 and a positive fFN test seems to be predictive of subsequent pre‐term delivery.
MR imaging of benign and malignant lesions in the buccal space.
Authors: Kurabayashi T , Ida M , Tetsumura A , Ohbayashi N , Yasumoto M , Sasaki T
Published: November 2002

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate MRI characteristics of buccal space lesions and to discuss the sensitivity of MRI in predicting malignancy of those lesions.

METHODS

Thirty patients with malignant (n=7) or benign (n=23) lesions originating in the buccal space were reviewed retrospectively. MR images were assessed for the margins, internal architecture, signal intensity of lesions and their relation to the surrounding structures.

RESULTS

Two cases of soft tissue sarcoma were shown as ill-defined masses with infiltration into adjacent muscles and bone. On the other hand, all tumors of minor salivary gland origin, whether malignant (n=4) or benign (n=2), were well-defined and confined within the buccal fat pad without infiltration into surrounding structures. All haemangiomas (n=9) had very high T2-weighted signal intensity. Three out of them contained signal voids on all sequences thought to represent phleboliths, a finding strongly suggestive of the diagnosis. Inflammatory lesions were characterized by the presence of edema in the surrounding fat. When ill-defined margins, infiltration into muscles and bone destruction were used as the criteria for the malignancy, only two out of seven malignant tumors were correctly diagnosed (sensitivity 29%).

CONCLUSIONS

Although MR imaging was useful in demonstrating the extent of buccal space lesions, its diagnostic value in predicting malignancy was very limited. It was especially true for malignant tumors of minor salivary gland origin, which were typically seen as well-defined masses without infiltration into surrounding structures on MRI.
Panoramic-based mandibular indices in relation to mandibular bone mineral density and skeletal status assessed by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry and quantitative ultrasound.
Authors: Drozdzowska B , Pluskiewicz W , Tarnawska B
Published: November 2002

OBJECTIVES

The panoramic-based indices (Mandibular Cortical Index-MCI, the height of mandibular inferior cortex-IC (mm), Panoramic Mandibular Index-PMI, Mandibular Ratio-MR) were used to evaluate their diagnostic efficacy and to determine whether they correlate with bone mineral density (BMD (g/cm(2))) of the mandible and hip, and with ultrasound parameters of the calcaneus and hand phalanges in postmenopausal, edentulous women.

METHODS

Basing on MCI women were divided into three subgroups differed in the appearance of the mandibular cortex (C1 n=6, C2 n=16, C3 n=8). BMD of the hip (neck-BMD, Ward's-BMD, trochanteric BMD) and mandible (m-BMD) were measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Calcaneus using Achilles (Speed of Sound-SOS (m/s), Broadband Ultrasound Attenuation-BUA [dB/MHz], Stiffness Index-SI [%]) and hand phalanges (amplitude dependent speed of sound-Ad-SoS (m/s)) using DBM Sonic 1200 were assessed by Quantitative Ultrasound (QUS).

RESULTS

There were no significant differences between subgroups in parameters measured except for significant differences in m-BMD (P<0.01). Only m-BMD correlated significantly with DXA (r=0.43-0.45, P<0.05) and QUS (r=0.36-0.55, P<0.05) measurements excluding correlations with calcaneal SOS and trochanteric BMD. The ability of the mandibular variables to discriminate between normal and osteopenic/osteoporotic cases was assessed by calculating: specificity (ranging from 31 to 81%), sensitivity (ranging from 21 to 93%), negative and positive predictive values (ranging from 47 to 83% and 40 to 79%, respectively).

CONCLUSION

MCI is a simple three-graded classification of changes in the cortex but is not able to distinguish normal and osteopenic/osteoporotic postmenopausal edentulous women. The efficacy of the panoramic-based mandibular indices in diagnosing osteopenia/osteoporosis is low to moderate.
Patterns of intra-osseous transmigration and ectopic eruption of mandibular canines: review of literature and report of nine additional cases.
Authors: Mupparapu M
Published: November 2002

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study is to (1). investigate the patterns of transmigration and eruption of permanent mandibular canines, plus the mechanisms affecting the eruption path, (2). classify the transmigration paths.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

:A retrospective radiographic study using full mouth (FMX) and panoramic radiographs of dental radiology patients between July 1996 and July 2000. Transmigrated canines were identified from the radiographic records of 2150 new patients. The literature was reviewed regarding the individual patterns of canine transmigration and their final position within the mandible. A pattern classification was developed using literature data and the additional nine cases reported here.

RESULTS

In the present study, mandibular canines were found transmigrated on nine occasions and, in a further six cases, found impacted without transmigration. Out of the nine cases, seven were female (ages 17-38) and two were male (ages 20 and 69). One female patient had a bilateral transmigration of the mandibular canines. A total of 127 transmigrated canines were reported in 50 published studies from the literature. Transmigrated canines appear to fall into five patterns (Type 1-5) depending on their path of deviation. Type 1 was most common (45.6%) followed by Type 2 (20%), Type 4(17%), Type 3(14%) and Type 5 (1.5%).

CONCLUSIONS

Patterns of mandibular canine transmigration can be classified into five distinct patterns. The majority of cases demonstrated Type 1 transmigratory pattern. No clear aetiology of this disorder could be found.
Visualization of the intracellular behavior of HIV in living cells
Authors: McDonald David , Vodicka Marie A. , Lucero Ginger , Svitkina Tatyana M. , Borisy Gary G. , Emerman Michael , Hope Thomas J.
Published: November 2002

To track the behavior of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 in the cytoplasm of infected cells, we have tagged virions by incorporation of HIV Vpr fused to the GFP. Observation of the GFP-labeled particles in living cells revealed that they moved in curvilinear paths in the cytoplasm and accumulated in the perinuclear region, often near the microtubule-organizing center. Further studies show that HIV uses cytoplasmic dynein and the microtubule network to migrate toward the nucleus. By combining GFP fused to the NH2 terminus of HIV-1 Vpr tagging with other labeling techniques, it was possible to determine the state of progression of individual particles through the viral life cycle. Correlation of immunofluorescent and electron micrographs allowed high resolution imaging of microtubule-associated structures that are proposed to be reverse transcription complexes. Based on these observations, we propose that HIV uses dynein and the microtubule network to facilitate the delivery of the viral genome to the nucleus of the cell during early postentry steps of the HIV life cycle.
Hsc70 is required for endocytosis and clathrin function in Drosophila
Authors: Chang Henry C. , Newmyer Sherri L. , Hull Michael J. , Ebersold Melanie , Schmid Sandra L. , Mellman Ira
Published: November 2002

By screening for Drosophila mutants exhibiting aberrant bride of sevenless (Boss) staining patterns on eye imaginal disc epithelia, we have recovered a point mutation in Hsc70-4, the closest homologue to bovine clathrin uncoating ATPase. Although the mutant allele was lethal, analysis of mutant clones generated by FLP/FRT recombination demonstrated that the Sevenless-mediated internalization of Boss was blocked in mutant Hsc70-4 eye disc epithelial cells. Endocytosis of other probes was also greatly inhibited in larval Garland cells. Immunostaining and EM analysis of the mutant cells revealed disruptions in the organization of endosomal/lysosomal compartments, including a substantial reduction in the number of clathrin-coated structures in Garland cells. The Hsc70-4 mutation also interacted genetically with a dominant-negative mutant of dynamin, a gene required for the budding of clathrin-coated vesicles (CCVs). Consistent with these phenotypes, recombinant mutant Hsc70 proteins exhibited diminished clathrin uncoating activity in vitro. Together, these data provide genetic support for the long-suspected role of Hsc70 in clathrin-mediated endocytosis, at least in part by inhibiting the uncoating of CCVs.
Continuous Measurement of Macronutrient Ions in the Transpiration Stream of Intact Plants Using the Meadow Spittlebug Coupled with Ion Chromatography
Authors: Malone Michael , Herron Michelle , Morales M.-Angeles
Published: November 2002

A method is described for continuous, nondestructive analysis of xylem-borne mineral nutrients in intact transpiring plants. The method uses the xylem-feeding insect the meadow spittlebug (Philaenus spumarius L. [Homoptera: Cercopidae]). This insect will feed from a wide range of plant species and organs. Insect excreta can be collected at all times of the day and night, and its mineral ion content can be analyzed rapidly, and without purification, by ion chromatography. The excreta will have a mineral content virtually identical to that of xylem sap. Cages suitable for containing the insects and collecting excreta from any desired location on plants in both laboratory and greenhouse are described. Even in the greenhouse, evaporation had only a minor effect on the sample ion content. Example results are presented which illustrate dynamics, over several days, in the xylem concentrations of sodium (Na+), potassium (K+), NH4  +, magnesium (Mg2+), calcium (Ca2+), chloride (Cl−), NO3  −, PO4  3−, and SO4  2−. These data were collected from young plants growing in pots of compost in the laboratory and from fully mature pepper (Capsicum annuum L. cv Bellboy) plants growing in hydroponics (rockwool) in the greenhouse. This method should facilitate studies of macronutrient uptake and transport in a range of plants and environments.
Mechanisms of Arsenic Hyperaccumulation in Pteris vittata. Uptake Kinetics, Interactions with Phosphate, and Arsenic Speciation
Authors: Wang Junru , Zhao Fang-Jie , Meharg Andrew A. , Raab Andrea , Feldmann Joerg , McGrath Steve P.
Published: November 2002

The mechanisms of arsenic (As) hyperaccumulation inPteris vittata, the first identified As hyperaccumulator, are unknown. We investigated the interactions of arsenate and phosphate on the uptake and distribution of As and phosphorus (P), and As speciation in P. vittata. In an 18-d hydroponic experiment with varying concentrations of arsenate and phosphate, P. vittata accumulated As in the fronds up to 27,000 mg As kg−1 dry weight, and the frond As to root As concentration ratio varied between 1.3 and 6.7. Increasing phosphate supply decreased As uptake markedly, with the effect being greater on root As concentration than on shoot As concentration. Increasing arsenate supply decreased the P concentration in the roots, but not in the fronds. Presence of phosphate in the uptake solution decreased arsenate influx markedly, whereas P starvation for 8 d increased the maximum net influx by 2.5-fold. The rate of arsenite uptake was 10% of that for arsenate in the absence of phosphate. Neither P starvation nor the presence of phosphate affected arsenite uptake. Within 8 h, 50% to 78% of the As taken up was distributed to the fronds, with a higher translocation efficiency for arsenite than for arsenate. In fronds, 49% to 94% of the As was extracted with a phosphate buffer (pH 5.6). Speciation analysis using high-performance liquid chromatography-inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy showed that >85% of the extracted As was in the form of arsenite, and the remaining mostly as arsenate. We conclude that arsenate is taken up by P. vittata via the phosphate transporters, reduced to arsenite, and sequestered in the fronds primarily as As(III).
A Novel Nucleus-Targeted Protein Is Expressed in Barley Leaves during Senescence and Pathogen Infection
Authors: Krupinska Karin , Haussühl Kirsten , Schäfer Anke , van der Kooij Tom A.W. , Leckband Gunhild , Lörz Horst , Falk Jon
Published: November 2002

The barley (Hordeum vulgare) cDNA HvS40 represents a gene with enhanced mRNA level during leaf senescence. Biolistic transformation of onion (Allium cepa) epidermal cell layers with a glucuronidase fusion protein construct provided evidence that the 15.4-kD protein encoded by HvS40 is localized to the nucleus. Expression of the gene is induced by jasmonate and salicylic acid; both are known to act as signaling compounds during senescence and defense toward pathogens. Transcript levels of HvS40 were observed to be particularly high in leaf sectors that undergo necrosis and chlorosis after infection withPyrenophora teres. This pathogen-related expression is, in contrast, clearly reduced in transgenic barley plants expressing a stilbene synthase from grape (Vitis vinifera), whereas the mRNA level of a gene encoding the pathogen-related protein HvPR1 is unaffected. In situ hybridization with HvS40 antisense RNA revealed that during leaf senescence, the HvS40 transcript predominantly accumulates in the mesophyll. Taken together, the findings suggest a connection between the nuclear protein encoded by HvS40 and the degeneration of chloroplasts occurring during senescence and during infection of barley wild-type plants with P. teres.
Expression of α-Expansin and Expansin-Like Genes in Deepwater Rice
Authors: Lee Yi , Kende Hans
Published: November 2002

Previously, we have studied the expression and regulation of four α- and 14 β-expansin genes in deepwater rice (Oryza sativa). We now report on the structure, expression, and regulation of 22 additional α-expansin (Os-EXP) genes, four expansin-like (Os-EXPL) genes, and one expansin-related (Os-EXPR) gene, which have recently been identified in the expressed sequence tag and genomic databases of rice. α-Expansins are characterized by a series of conserved Cys residues in the N-terminal half of the protein, a histidine-phenylalanine-aspartate (HFD) motif in the central region, and a series of tryptophan residues near the carboxyl terminus. Of the 22 additional α-expansin genes, five are expressed in internodes and leaves, three in coleoptiles, and nine in roots, with high transcript levels in the growing regions of these organs. Transcripts of five α-expansin genes were found in roots only. Expression of five α-expansin genes was induced in the internode by treatment with gibberellin (GA) and by wounding. The wound response resulted from excising stem sections or from piercing pinholes into the stem of intact plants. EXPL proteins lack the HFD motif and have two additional Cys residues in their C- and N-terminal regions. The positions of conserved tryptophan residues at the C-terminal region are different from those of α- and β-expansins. Expression of theOs-EXPL3 gene is correlated with elongation and slightly induced by applied GA. However, the expression of theOs-EXPL1 and Os-EXPL2 genes showed limited correlation with cell elongation and was not induced by GA. We found no expression of the Os-EXPR1 gene in the organs examined.
The Procambium Specification Gene Oshox1 Promotes Polar Auxin Transport Capacity and Reduces Its Sensitivity toward Inhibition
Authors: Scarpella Enrico , Boot Kees J.M. , Rueb Saskia , Meijer Annemarie H.
Published: November 2002

The auxin-inducible homeobox gene Oshox1 of rice (Oryza sativa) is a positive regulator of procambial cell fate commitment, and its overexpression reduces the sensitivity of polar auxin transport (PAT) to the PAT inhibitor 1-N-naphthylphthalamic acid (NPA). Here, we show that wild-type rice leaves formed under conditions of PAT inhibition display vein hypertrophy, reduced distance between longitudinal veins, and increased distance between transverse veins, providing experimental evidence for a role of PAT in vascular patterning in a monocot species. Furthermore, we show that Oshox1 overexpression confers insensitivity to these PAT inhibitor-induced vascular-patterning defects. Finally, we show that in the absence of any overt phenotypical change, Oshox1 overexpression specifically reduces the affinity of the NPA-binding protein toward NPA and enhances PAT and its sensitivity toward auxin. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that Oshox1 promotes fate commitment of procambial cells by increasing their auxin conductivity properties and stabilizing this state against modulations of PAT by an endogenous NPA-like molecule.
Synthesis of 4-Fluorophenols from 4-tert-Butylphenols and Fluoride Sources Under Oxidative Conditions
Authors: Bienvenu Antoine , Barthelemy Audrey , Boichut Sarah , Marquet Bernard , Billard Thierry , Langlois Bernard R.
Published: November 2002

4-tert-Butylphenols can be easily transformed into 4-fluorophenols, provided that no coordinating moiety is present in 2-position, in a two step procedure under mild and safe conditions. The first step leads to 4-tert-butyl-4-fluorocyclohexa-2,5-dien-1-ones through an oxidative fluorination with [bis(trifluoroacetoxy)iodo]benzene and triethylamine tris(hydrofluoride), and is followed by an acid catalyzed aromatization with loss of isobutene. When extended to 4-tert-butylacetanilide, this method delivers 4-fluoroacetanilide in a single step but in a modest yield.
Patient preferences regarding antiretroviral therapy
Authors: Miller Loren G , Huffman Heather B , Weidmer Beverly A , Hays Ron D
Published: November 2002

Antiretroviral medications for HIV infection can be combined into dozens of recommended regimens. However, little is known about patient preferences regarding antiretroviral therapy. We assessed the impact of clinician-mutable adherence barriers by conducting four patient focus groups (two English and two Spanish) consisting of 30 patients that focused discussion on antiretroviral treatment preferences. We also surveyed antiretroviral treatment preference from 31 subjects using the method of paired comparisons in which subjects indicated their preferences of regimen potency, pill burden, inconvenience, and side-effects using a 10-point rating scale. We found that most patients would tolerate severe side-effects, inconvenience, and large pill burden to have a potent antiretroviral regimen. In our population, patients generally preferred regimens with fewer side-effects to those with less inconvenience. Pill burden was of least importance among the domains studied. These preferences should be considered when selecting a regimen and developing interventions to improve antiretroviral adherence and patient outcomes.
Guided reflection: transcending a routine approach in the management of sexually transmissible infections
Authors: Browne Jan , Minichiello Victor , Plummer David
Published: November 2002

This paper describes a distinctive approach to the sexually transmissible infections (STI) clinical consultation: 'the guided reflection approach'. The authors coined this term and identified the guided reflection approach through analysis of 22 in-depth interviews with practitioners who provide care for people with STI, and 34 people who had attended a healthcare facility in Australia for screening or treatment of an STI. A grounded theory method was used to collect and analyse this information. The data revealed when the STI consultation is conducted using the principles characterized by the guided reflection approach creates contexts for sexual empowerment that have the potential to effectively assist people to gain autonomy for safe sex. Routinely, most of the practitioners in this study were shown to direct the STI consultation towards risk behaviours and practices and prevention of transmission, with minimal intervention. However, this study shows that if clinical interaction is to make a difference to the patient's autonomy for sexual behaviour, two changes will be required. First, practitioners need to adopt the goal of assisting patients to attain levels of autonomy, and second, practitioners require education to assist them to develop the interactive skills needed to engage patients in dialogue and reflection about sexual behaviour.
The influence of affective statements on performance on implicit and explicit memory tasks
Authors: Butler Laurie T. , Berry Dianne C.
Published: November 2002

Consumers are often exposed to brand names presented concurrently with information such as brand claims and warnings, prior to making product choices. As implicit memory has been implicated in the consumer choice process, two experiments were conducted to assess the influence of additional information, namely simple positive and negative statements, on implicit and explicit memory tasks. In Experiment 1, the mere presence of additional statements at study significantly reduced performance on a two‐alternatives forced recognition task. However, the same manipulation had no effect on implicit preference judgement task performance. The valence of the accompanying information had no effect on either task. In Experiment 2, using modified implicit and explicit choice tasks, performance on the former was unaffected by statement valence, whereas the latter task was. Hence, positive priming was obtained for brand names previously shown with negative information. The results of the experiments are discussed in relation to both implicit memory and consumer choice. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Assessing body and eating peer‐focused comparisons: the dieting peer competitiveness (DPC) scale
Authors: Huon Gail F. , Piira Tiina , Hayne Angela , Strong Kathryn G.
Published: November 2002

Purpose:

This paper describes the development and the psychometric properties of a new measure designed to assess dieting‐related competitiveness among adolescent girls.

Method:

Three samples of girls completed the DPC and several other scales. Data analyses examined scale content and structure, and reliability and validity of the DPC.

Results:

The Dieting Peer Competitiveness (DPC) scale has a coherent and easily interpretable 2‐factor structure. The measure has good reliability (internal consistency, test–retest, and split‐half) and validity (convergent, divergent, and discriminant). In addition, with increasing commitment to dieting, competitiveness scores significantly increased.

Conclusions:

The new 2‐Factor Dieting Peer Competitiveness (DPC) scale assesses the degree to which an individual compares her appearance, and what she eats (or avoids) with that of her friends. DPC scores are useful for distinguishing between serious and non‐serious dieters. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.
Cognitive deficits in long‐term survivors of childhood brain tumors: Identification of predictive factors
Authors: Reimers Tonny Solveig , Ehrenfels Susanne , Mortensen Erik Lykke , Schmiegelow Marianne , Sønderkær Signe , Carstensen Henrik , Schmiegelow Kjeld , Müller Jørn
Published: November 2002

Background

To describe cognitive function and to evaluate the association between potentially predictive factors and cognitive outcome in an unselected population of survivors of childhood brain tumors.

Procedure

We studied a consecutive sample of 133 patients (76 had received radiotherapy (RT)) who had a brain tumor diagnosed before the age of 15 years and were treated during the period January 1970 through February 1997 in the Eastern part of Denmark. Biologic effective dose of irradiation (BED) was assessed in 71 patients. One hundred twenty‐seven patients were able to cooperate to WISC‐R and WAIS‐R. Multiple regression models were constructed to evaluate relationships between possible risk factors and cognitive outcome.

Results and Conclusions

The mean intelligence (IQ) scores were substantially lower than the expected means of the general population. Younger age at diagnosis, tumor site in cerebral hemisphere, hydrocephalus treated with shunt, and treatment with RT were found to be significant predictors of lower cognitive functions. RT was the most important risk factor for impaired intellectual outcome. The mean observed full scale IQ was 97.1 (SD = 14.3) for the non‐irradiated patients and 78.8 (SD = 14.3) for the irradiated patients (adjusted P < 0.001). Verbal IQ, but not performance and full scale IQ, had a significant negative correlation to BED to the tumor site (P < 0.05). These results can be used to identify subgroups of children who are at increased risk for cognitive deficits allowing early and goal‐directed intervention. Med Pediatr Oncol 2003;40:26–34, © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Stratified morphology of a polypropylene/elastomer blend following channel flow
Authors: Moffitt Matthew , Rharbi Yahya , Chen Warner , Tong Jiang‐Dong , Winnik M. A. , Thurman Derek W. , Oberhauser James P. , Kornfield Julia A. , Ryntz Rose A.
Published: November 2002

A thermoplastic olefin blend consisting of isotactic polypropylene (PP) and an ethylene‐butene copolymer (EBR) impact modifier (25 wt % EBR) was subjected to a short, high‐shear pulse within the flow channel of a pressure‐driven microextruder following low‐shear channel filling from a reservoir of the melt. The resulting morphology was examined by laser scanning confocal fluorescence microscopy (LSCFM), with contrast provided by a fluorescent tracer in the EBR minor phase. Shear experiments were performed under isothermal conditions with a known wall shear stress for a specified duration, providing a well‐defined thermal and flow history. Low‐shear channel filling produces small droplets across the central region of the channel and large droplets, consistent with steady‐state shear, in the regions near the channel walls. After cooling the molten blend to a crystallization temperature of 153 °C, a brief interval (5 s ∼ 1/2000 of the quiescent crystallization time) of high shear (wall shear stress: 0.1 MPa) induces rapid, highly oriented crystallization and a stratified morphology. Ex situ LSCFM reveals a “skin” at the channel walls (∼70 μm) in which greatly elongated fiberlike droplets, oriented along the flow direction, are embedded in highly oriented crystalline PP. Further from the walls but directly beside the skin layers are surprising zones in which EBR domains show no deformation or orientation. Several zones of intermediate deformation and orientation at an angle to the flow direction are located closer to the center of the channel. At the center of the channel, EBR droplets are spherical, as expected for channel flow. The various strata are explained by the interplay of droplet deformation, breakup, and coalescence with the shear‐induced crystallization kinetics of the matrix. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 40: 2842–2859, 2002
Poly(ethylene terephthalate) copolymers containing nitroterephthalic units. II. Crystallization and conformational studies
Authors: Kint Darwin P. R. , Martínez De Ilarduya Antxon , Muñoz‐Guerra Sebastián
Published: November 2002

The effect of incorporating a nitro side group into the phenylene units of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) on the conformation and crystallizability of this polyester was evaluated. Random poly(ethylene terephthalate‐co‐nitroterephthalate) (PETNT) copolymers containing 5, 10, and 15 mol % nitroterephthalic units were investigated with reference to PET. All the examined copolymers were semicrystalline and were found to adopt the triclinic crystal structure of PET, with the nitrated units being excluded from the crystallites. Both the crystallinity and crystallization rate of PETNT largely decreased with the content of nitrated units, and the OCH2CH2O trans‐to‐gauche conformational ratio increased with crystallization, attaining comparable values for all the compositions. The conformation and crystallinity of isothermally crystallized PET and PETNT samples could be correlated with the size of the crystallites generated in each case. However, a different crystal perfecting mechanism seemed to operate for PET and for the PETNT copolymers when they were subjected to annealing. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 40: 2759–2771, 2002
Surface ordering in thin films of liquid‐crystalline polymers containing fluorinated and protonated segments: Neutron‐reflectometry study
Authors: Traiphol Rakchart , Smith Dennis W. , Perahia Dvora
Published: November 2002

Surface‐induced layering of fluorinated and protonated segments in thin films of a main‐chain liquid‐crystalline polymer, consisting of α‐methylstilbene, bridged by a fluorinated group was revealed by neutron reflectometry. The layering was driven by the difference in surface energy of the fluorinated and protonated segments and by the inherent ordering of the polymer. The lower‐surface‐energy fluorinated segments segregated to the air surface, and the protonated segments segregated to the SiOx layer at the Si substrate. The ordering induced by the interface decayed into the film with a characteristic decay length of about 100 Å. The surface‐induced periodicity ranged from 15 to 20 Å, which is approximately equal to the molecular dimension of the repeating unit on the polymer backbone. The magnitude of segregation increased upon annealing in the liquid‐crystalline temperature range. The segregation was retained upon annealing above the bulk order–disorder transition temperature. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 40: 2817–2824, 2002
Treatment guidelines for healthcare providers’ interventions with domestic violence victims: experience from the USA
Authors: Buel S.M.
Published: November 2002

In this article, the author shares her own personal experience with the health sector and the recommendations made in the United States for universal screening for violence of women in the health sector. Healthcare providers can greatly assist patients impacted by domestic violence by implementing the interventions recommended.
Consequences and outcomes of disclosure for abused women
Authors: O'Connor M
Published: November 2002

Over the past 30 years feminists and women's organizations, in Ireland and globally, have drawn increased attention to the reality of violence against women through the provision of services, lobbying, training and research. Intervention from untransformed institutions even with the best will of committed individuals, must be controlled by the woman herself at every stage of the process.