bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Yield of a new method to detect cognitive impairment in general practice
Authors: Jansen Aaltje P. D. , van Hout Hein P. J. , Nijpels Giel , van Marwijk Harm W. J. , de Vet Henrica C. W. , Stalman Wim A. B.
Published: April 2007

Objective

To examine whether a new screening method that identified patients with cognitive impairment who needed further examination on the presence of dementia yielded patients who were not detected by their general practitioner (GP), and to identify factors associated with GPs' awareness of patients identified by the screening.

Methods

Cross‐sectional comparison between two methods used to identify dementia symptoms: (1) usual identification of dementia by GPs; (2) a two‐stage screening to identify cognitive impairment. The two methods were implemented on the same older general practice population. The study was set in primary care practices in the Netherlands. The participants were 44 GPs and 2,101 general practice patients aged 75+ who lived at home. The following measurements were used: (1) yield of the screening; (2) determinants of GPs' awareness of patients identified by the screening.

Results

The two‐stage screening yielded 117 patients with cognitive impairment who needed further examination; in most cases (n = 82, 70.1%) their GP was unaware of the symptoms. Among patients identified by the screening, GPs' awareness was associated with co‐morbidity of chronic diseases [odds ratio (OR) = 3.19; 95% Confidence Interval (CI) = 1.25 to 8.15], depressive symptoms (OR = 0.41; 95% CI = 0.17 to 0.99), and cognitive functioning (per point on the MMSE, OR = 0.88; 95% CI = 0.79 to 0.98).

Conclusion

A two‐stage screening method and increased alertness for cognitive impairment and dementia among patients with depressive symptoms may improve detection rate of dementia in general practice. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Different dental care setting: does income matter?
Authors: Tianviwat Sukanya , Chongsuvivatwong Virasakdi , Birch Stephen
Published: April 2007

In this paper we consider the use of mobile dental clinics as a means of improving access to dental care among primary school children in Southern Thailand by reducing the opportunity cost of service use to parents. Parents' willingness to pay (WTP) is measured for three different services provided in a community hospital dental clinic and a school‐based mobile clinic. Although the service setting does not affect significantly the WTP for treatment directly, the estimated positive association between WTP and income is modified by setting. The results indicate that the potential for mobile clinics to increase utilization of services among primary school children is associated with parents' income, with the difference in valuation of dental services between the two settings being less among lower income parents than higher income parents. However, even among lower income parents our results indicate that the potential for increasing service utilization among children depends on the improvements in access associated with the mobile clinic not being achieved at the opportunity cost of lower levels of effectiveness. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Environmental complexity affects contextual fear conditioning following hippocampal lesions in rats
Authors: Moses Sandra N. , Winocur Gordon , Ryan Jennifer D. , Moscovitch Morris
Published: April 2007

Contextual fear conditioning has become a benchmark measure for hippocampal function, even though several studies report successful acquisition in hippocampal‐damaged rodents. The current study examined whether environmental complexity may account for these discrepancies. We directly compared single‐session contextual fear conditioning in rats in a simple vs. complex environment. Hippocampal lesions led to reduced fear conditioning in both contexts, as measured by freezing, but the effect was significantly greater in the complex context. As well, lesions led to generalized fear when the complex context was paired with shock, but not when the simple context was paired. We suggest that the representation of the simple context formed by rats with hippocampal lesions was adequate to support associative learning, but the representation of the complex context, which depended to a greater extent on relational learning, was not. The results were interpreted as consistent with theories of hippocampal function that emphasize its role in integrating multiple stimulus elements in a memory trace. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Treatment of the mild cognitive impairment (MCI)
Authors: Allain Hervé , Bentué‐Ferrer Danièle , Akwa Yvette
Published: April 2007

According to Evidence‐Based‐Medicine, any proposal for the rationale treatment of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) must be based on the results of double‐blind, randomized clinical trials (RCTs). However, since MCI at the present time does not constitute a homogeneous clinical syndrome, it is still inappropriate to propose a specific drug treatment. Moreover, RCTs assessing the therapeutic value of acetylcholinesterase‐inhibitors (AChEIs) are negative either trying to improve symptoms (memory performance) or preventing the conversion from MCI to real Alzheimer's Disease (AD). The same negative results were obtained with drugs targeting some systems considered as the early steps of the pathophysiological cascade leading to dementia: non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory compounds (rofecoxib), sex steroid hormones (testosterone, estrogens), or antioxidants (tocopherol). Either MCI is considered as the very early phase of development of AD (and then the treatments will aim at preventively antagonizing the hallmarks of the disease) or MCI is a new entity (and then the drugs will target the associated neurochemical disturbancies such as tau protein or soluble Aβ oligomers); MCI could also be considered as a monosymptomatic syndrome (amnesia) leading to the development of pure pro‐mnestic drugs. These three hypotheses will be presented on the basis of the neurobiology and the pharmacology, and examples of potentially active candidates will be discussed. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Identification of a novel noncoding RNA gene, NAMA, that is downregulated in papillary thyroid carcinoma with BRAF mutation and associated with growth arrest
Authors: Yoon Heejei , He Huiling , Nagy Rebecca , Davuluri Ramana , Suster Saul , Schoenberg Daniel , Pellegata Natalia , Chapelle Albert de la
Published: April 2007

In search of tumor suppressor genes in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), we previously used gene expression profiling to identify genes underexpressed in tumor compared with paired unaffected tissue. While searching for loss of heterozygosity (LOH) in genomic regions harboring candidate tumor suppressor genes, we detected LOH in a ∼20 kb region around marker D9S176. Several ESTs flanking D9S176 were underexpressed in PTC tumors, and for one of the ESTs, downregulation was highly associated with the activating BRAF mutation V600E, the most common genetic lesion in PTC. A novel gene, NAMA, (noncoding RNA associated with MAP kinase pathway and growth arrest) containing the affected EST was cloned and characterized. NAMA is weakly expressed in several human tissues, and the spliced forms are primarily detected in testis. Several characteristics of NAMA suggest that it is a nonprotein coding but functional RNA; it has no long open reading frames (ORFs); the exons exhibit low sequence identity in the evolutionarily conserved regions; it is inducible by knockdown of BRAF, inhibition of the MAP kinase pathway, growth arrest and DNA damage in cancer cell lines. We suggest that NAMA is a noncoding RNA associated with growth arrest. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Ras‐MEK‐ERK signaling cascade regulates androgen receptor element‐inducible gene transcription and DNA synthesis in prostate cancer cells
Authors: Carey Anne‐Marie , Pramanik Rashida , Nicholson Linda J. , Dew Tracy K. , Martin Francis L. , Muir Gordon H. , Morris Jonathan D.H.
Published: April 2007

Treatment of prostate cancer (CaP) patients frequently involves androgen ablation, but resistance often develops and androgen‐insensitive tumors emerge. The molecular basis for the development of refractory CaP that grows in an androgen‐independent manner is poorly understood, but alterations in growth factor signaling pathways are likely to be involved. We examined the growth factor modulation of androgen‐receptor element (ARE)‐inducible luciferase reporter gene activity and consequent DNA synthesis as a measure of proliferative growth in androgen‐dependent LNCaP or androgen‐independent PC3 or DU145 CaP cells. The synthetic androgen R1881 stimulated ARE‐inducible reporter gene activity and prostate‐specific antigen expression in LNCaP cells and the MEK/ERK inhibitor U0126 or the anti‐androgen bicalutamide (casodex) prevented both of these responses. Activated V12‐Ha‐Ras expression in LNCaP cells also stimulated ARE‐inducible gene transcription, and U0126 or the farnesyltransferase inhibitor FTI‐277 but not bicalutamide blocked this. ARE‐inducible reporter gene activity was elevated already in PC3 cells, and ERK was constitutively activated in serum‐starved LNCaP or DU145 cells. U0126 inhibited each of these responses and also inhibited DNA synthesis in all 3 CaP cell lines. These results demonstrate that chronic stimulation of the Ras‐MEK‐ERK signaling pathway can sustain ARE‐inducible gene transcription and growth of CaP cells, and suggests that components of this pathway may offer targets for cancer therapy. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Socioeconomic inequalities in alcohol related cancer mortality among men: To what extent do they differ between Western European populations?
Authors: Menvielle Gwenn , Kunst Anton E. , Stirbu Irina , Borrell Carme , Bopp Matthias , Regidor Enrique , Heine Strand Bjørn , Deboosere Patrick , Lundberg Olle , Leclerc Annette , Costa Giuseppe , Chastang Jean‐Francois , Esnaola Santiago , Martikainen Pekka , Mackenbach Johan P.
Published: April 2007

We aim to study socioeconomic inequalities in alcohol related cancers mortality [upper aerodigestive tract (UADT) (oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, oesophagus and liver)] in men and to investigate whether the contribution of these cancers to socioeconomic inequalities in cancer mortality differs within Western Europe. We used longitudinal mortality datasets, including causes of death. Data were collected during the 1990s among men aged 30–74 years in 13 European populations [Madrid, the Basque region, Barcelona, Turin, Switzerland (German and Latin part), France, Belgium (Walloon and Flemish part, Brussels), Norway, Sweden, Finland]. Socioeconomic status was measured using the educational level declared at the census at the beginning of the follow‐up period. We conducted Poisson regression analyses and used both relative [Relative index of inequality (RII)] and absolute (mortality rates difference) measures of inequality. For UADT cancers, the RII's were above 3.5 in France, Switzerland (both parts) and Turin whereas for liver cancer they were the highest (around 2.5) in Madrid, France and Turin. The contribution of alcohol related cancer to socioeconomic inequalities in cancer mortality was 29–36% in France and the Spanish populations, 17–23% in Switzerland and Turin, and 5–15% in Belgium and the Nordic countries. We did not observe any correlation between mortality rates differences for lung and UADT cancers, confirming that the pattern found for UADT cancers is not only due to smoking. This study suggests that alcohol use substantially influences socioeconomic inequalities in male cancer mortality in France, Spain and Switzerland but not in the Nordic countries and nor in Belgium. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Toll‐like receptors in the interface membrane around loosening total hip replacement implants
Authors: Takagi Michiaki , Tamaki Yasunobu , Hasegawa Hiroshi , Takakubo Yuya , Konttinen Liisa , Tiainen Veli‐Matti , Lappalainen Reijo , Konttinen Yrjö T. , Salo Jari
Published: April 2007

Toll‐like receptors (TLRs) have been known to act as sensors of innate immunity and respond to ligands of microbial and endogenous components. Tissues and cells typical for interface membrane of foreign body reaction were analyzed to evaluate potential role of TLRs in the pathogenesis of the so called “aseptic loosening of total hip replacement.” Fourteen cases of interface membrane around aseptic loose total hip replacement implants were stained by single and double immunohistochemical methods to examine cellular localization of toll‐like receptor (TLR)‐4 and TLR‐9. Osteoarthritic synovium was used as control tissues. Cultured macrophages were used to study TLR‐4 and TLR‐9 mRNA levels by quantitative reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction. The effect of titanium particle stimulation on macrophages was also examined in the culture. Extensive immunolocalization of TLR‐4 and TLR‐9 positive cells was observed in the synovial membrane‐like interface membrane of foreign body granulomas compared with control synovial membranes. TLR and CD68 double staining demonstrated that the TLR positive cells in aseptic loosening were mostly monocyte/macrophages and foreign body giant cells. TLR‐4 and TLR‐9 mRNA expression was also found in macrophage‐colony stimulating factor treated rat macrophages, but this expression decreased (p < 0.05 or less) upon stimulation with titanium particles although matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐9 mRNA levels used as macrophage activation marker were increased (p = 0.01). The interface membrane around loosening total hip replacement implants is apparently well equipped with TLRs and, thus, probably very sensitive to various structural components of microbes and to endogenous TLR ligands. This seems to be due to recruitment of monocyte/macrophages as particles per se seemed to down‐regulate some of the key TLRs. This suppression after particle phagocytosis might prevent excessive and harmful host responses, and injury to innocent bystander cells/tissues. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res 2007
In vitro and in vivo biological responses of plasma‐sprayed hydroxyapatite coatings with posthydrothermal treatment
Authors: Yang C. Y. , Lee T. M. , Yang C. W. , Chen L. R. , Wu M. C. , Lui T. S.
Published: April 2007

This study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of post‐hydrothermal treatment on the biological responses of the plasma‐sprayed hydroxyapatite (HA)‐coated Ti‐6Al‐4V implant system both in vitro and in vivo. After hydrothermal treatment, the HA coating (HAC) shows the high mechanical strength and indices‐of‐crystallinity, denser microstructure, lower concentrations of amorphous and impurity phases, when compared with the as‐sprayed HAC. The in vitro cell‐culture studies, using UMR106 osteoblast‐like cell, demonstrated no signifiacnt cell growth on both surface of as‐sprayed and hydrothermal‐treated HACs during 10‐day culture. The in vivo studies, using the transcortical implant model in the femora of goats, evaluated the histological responses of two coatings. After 6 week of implantation, using backscattered electron images, no substantial histological variations in the extents of new bone apposition and new bone healing between the two HACs were observed. However, the as‐sprayed HAC, owing to the dissolution induced the granular particles dissociated from the HAC, showed the statically lower extent of new bone apposition than hydrothermal‐treated HAC at 12 weeks. The results suggest that hydrothermal treatment could be used to improve the mechanical strength, crystallinity, and phase composition of HAC, which are important factors of long‐term fixation and stability of implant. Besides, the treated HAC could also achieve the initial fixation of implant in clinical use. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res 2007
Evaluation of in vitro release and in vivo efficacy of mPEG‐PLA‐haloperidol conjugate micelle‐like structures
Authors: Hans Meredith L. , Maxwell Christina , Ehrlichman Richard S. , Metzger Kayla , Liang Yuling , Siegel Steven J. , Lowman Anthony M.
Published: April 2007

Polymeric prodrugs of mPEG‐PLA‐haloperidol (methoxy poly(ethylene glycol)‐b‐poly (lactic acid)), self‐assemble into nanoscale micelle‐like structures in aqueous solutions. The micelles range in size from 28 to 52 nm in diameter and have been shown to be spherical in shape using cryogenic transmission electron microscopy. In this current work there is evidence shown that suggests these micelle‐like structures do not dissociate below their critical micelle concentration (CMC) when the PEG weight percent is at least 68, releasing physically entrapped drug from intact micelles over a 3‐day period. However, 55 wt % PEG micelles dissociate below their CMC, and release their physically entrapped drug within 8 h. Conjugate polymer micelles most closely approach a linear release profile over a 5‐day period. Conjugate micelles with free drug incorporated, known as combination micelle‐like structures, release drug over 4 days. However, these combination micelles have the fastest burst release indicating that free drug was potentially dominating the first 8 h of release, after which hydrolysis of covalently linked drug took over. In vivo behavioral studies can assess haloperidol bioactivity from drug loaded micelle‐like structures on ketamine induced hyperlocomotion. Results are consistent with in vitro release data, showing that conjugate and combination micelles continue to release haloperidol 4 days post injection, attenuating the effects of the ketamine induced hyperlocomotion. Furthermore, results indicate that the sedative side effects of haloperidol were reduced with the micelle delivery systems as compared to the acute haloperidol injection. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2007
Decolourisation and treatment of pulp and paper mill effluent by lignin‐degrading Bacillus sp.
Authors: Raj Abhay , Reddy MM Krishna , Chandra Ram
Published: April 2007

Three lignin‐degrading bacterial strains, identified as Paenibacillus sp., Aneurinibacillus aneurinilyticus and Bacillus sp. have been examined for the treatment of pulp and paper mill effluent. The results of this study revealed that all three bacterial strains effectively reduced colour (39–61%), lignin (28–53%), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) (65–82%), chemical oxygen demand (COD) (52–78%) and total phenol (64–77%) within six days of incubation. However, the highest reduction in colour (61%), lignin (53%), BOD (82%) and COD (78%) was recorded by Bacillus sp. while, maximum reduction in total phenol (77%) was recorded with Paenibacillus sp. treatment. Significant reduction in colour and lignin content by these bacterial strains was observed after two days of incubation, indicating that bacterium initially utilized growth supportive substrates and subsequently chromophoric compounds thereby reducing lignin content and colour in the effluent. The total ion chromatograph (TIC) of compounds present in the ethyl acetate extract of control and bacterial treated samples revealed the formation of several lignin‐related aromatic compounds. The compounds identified in extracts of treated samples by Paenibacillus sp were t‐cinnamic acid and ferulic acid, while 3‐hydroxy‐4‐methoxyphenol, vanillic acid and vanillin acid by A. aneurinilyticus and gallic acid and ferulic acid by Bacillus sp. respectively indicating the degradation of lignin present in the effluent. The identified compounds obtained after different bacterial treatments were found to be strain‐specific. Among these identified compounds, ferulic acid, vanillic acid and vanillin could have immense value for their use in preservatives and in the food flavour industry. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry
Epoxidation of allyl chloride and hydrogen peroxide over titanium silicalite‐1 film on SiO2 pellet support
Authors: Wang Li , Zhou Ying , Mi Zhentao
Published: April 2007

Titanium silicalite‐1 (TS‐1) films were prepared on SiO2 pellet supports via an in situ hydrothermal synthesis method and were characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and 29Si magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (Si MAS NMR). The growth time of TS‐1 film had a strong effect on its morphology and the thickness and size of the crystals. The uniformity and thickness of TS‐1 films increased with increase of growth times. The epoxidation of allyl chloride (ACH) with dilute hydrogen peroxide to form epichlorohydrin (ECH) over the TS‐1 films was carried out in a fixed bed reactor. The conversion of ACH and the selectivity to ECH over the TS‐1 films of the second growth were higher than that of the first growth, the third and the fourth growth. And the conversion and selectivity as a function of time‐on‐stream gave a good stable performance in an extended test up to at least 19 h. The final steady‐state conversion and selectivity were approximately 86% and 55%, respectively. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry
Electroporation enhances reporter gene expression following delivery of naked plasmid DNA to the lung
Authors: Pringle Ian A. , McLachlan Gerry , Collie David D. S. , Sumner‐Jones Stephanie G. , Lawton Anna E. , Tennant Peter , Baker Alison , Gordon Catherine , Blundell Richard , Varathalingam Anusha , Davies Lee A. , Schmid Ralph A. , Cheng Seng H. , Porteous David J. , Gill Deborah R. , Hyde Stephen C.
Published: April 2007

Background

Existing methods of non‐viral airway gene transfer suffer from low levels of efficiency. Electroporation has been used to enhance gene transfer in a range of tissues. Here we assess the usefulness of electroporation for enhancing gene transfer in the lungs of mice and sheep.

Methods

Naked plasmid DNA (pDNA) expressing either luciferase or green fluorescent protein (GFP) was delivered to mouse lungs by instillation. Following surgical visualisation, the lungs were directly electroporated and the level and duration of luciferase activity was assessed and cell types that were positive for GFP were identified in lung cryosections. Naked pDNA was nebulised to the sheep lung and electrodes attached to the tip of a bronchoscope were used to electroporate airway segment bifurcations, Luciferase activity was assessed in electroporated and control non‐electroporated regions, after 24 h.

Results

Following delivery of naked pDNA to the mouse lung, electroporation resulted in up to 400‐fold higher luciferase activity than naked pDNA alone when luciferase was under the control of a cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter. Following delivery of a plasmid containing the human polyubiquitin C (UbC) promoter, electroporation resulted in elevated luciferase activity for at least 28 days. Visualisation of GFP indicated that electroporation resulted in increased GFP detection compared with non‐electroporated controls. In the sheep lung electroporation of defined sites in the airways resulted in luciferase activity 100‐fold greater than naked pDNA alone.

Conclusions

These results indicate that electroporation can be used to enhance gene transfer in the lungs of mice and sheep without compromising the duration of expression. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Polyplex‐mediated gene transfer and cell cycle: effect of carrier on cellular uptake and intracellular kinetics, and significance of glycosaminoglycans
Authors: Männistö Marjo , Reinisalo Mika , Ruponen Marika , Honkakoski Paavo , Tammi Markku , Urtti Arto
Published: April 2007

Background

Here we report on studies that probe whether the intracellular kinetics of plasmid DNA (pDNA) and cell surface glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) are modified during the cell cycle in a way that can be correlated with changes in gene transfer efficiency with poly(ethyleneimine) (PEI) and poly‐L‐lysine (PLL) polyplexes.

Methods

Synchronized D407 retinal cells were transfected with PEI and PLL polyplexes using a luciferase reporter. The free and/or loosely complexed nuclear pDNA was determined by real‐time PCR, and compared with transgene expression, the rate of pinocytosis by FITC‐dextran uptake and the content of cell surface GAGs.

Results

The amount of free and/or loosely complexed nuclear pDNA between cell cycle phases varied ∼4–20 times (G1 < S < G2/M). Both carriers delivered pDNA in a similar way into the nucleus (PLL vs. PEI ⩽ 3.5‐fold), but PEI was ∼10–100 times more efficient in gene expression than PLL (G1 < G2/M < S). The rate of pinocytosis increased up to 70‐fold from G1 to middle S phase. Cell surface heparan and chondroitin sulfate increased 50–80%, and hyaluronan decreased 50% when the cells went from G1 through S to G2/M.

Conclusions

The data obtained indicates that no single parameter (pinocytosis, cell surface GAGs, nuclear uptake) solely accounts for the differential pDNA uptake or expression during cell cycle, and that the main difference in PLL‐ and PEI‐mediated transfections seems to be at the nuclear level. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Organizational transformation—from multinational to global: An early dynamic modeling perspective
Authors: Groothuis Adam , Akbar Yusaf H.
Published: April 2007

This paper examines the evolution of an organization strategy aimed at creating a global company. The paper offers a conceptual and experimental framework for this process. The article defines the adoption of a globalization strategy in terms of economic, “political” and “social” phases that are trig‐gered temporally and spatially by agents and/or structural events. The process of transformation itself is a strategy and the adoption of a globalization strategy is dependent on the scope of the agent respective to its trigger. The evolution of a globalization strategy appears to be initiated by a need to liberalize rules and regulations both within an organization but also within a country that will lead to eventual economic benefits. The adoption of a globalization strategy provides further economic benefit, but requires increased liberalization and the creation of what this paper terms a “hybrid organization.” Moreover, the commitment to integrate a globalization strategy involves a “social” component that requires acceptance of new organizational frameworks and is achieved through “normative diffusion.” Based on experimental data, this paper will highlight seminal literature to define a framework for the evolution of a globalization strategy and create a dynamic model to define a relative timeframe for an MNE to evolve a globalization strategy. Managerial implications are offered based on our analysis. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Synthesis and Properties of Polyacetylenes Connecting Carbazole at the 2‐ and 3‐Positions: Effect of Polymerization Catalysts and Substitution Positions on the Optoelectronic Properties
Authors: Sanda Fumio , Kawasaki Ritsuya , Shiotsuki Masashi , Takashima Tetsuya , Fujii Akihiko , Ozaki Masanori , Masuda Toshio
Published: April 2007

The new carbazole‐containing acetylene monomers, 2‐ethynyl‐9‐tert‐butoxycarbonylcarbazole (1) and 3‐ethynyl‐9‐tert‐butoxycarbonylcarbazole (2) were synthesized and polymerized with Rh+(nbd)[η6–C6H5B−(C6H5)3], [(nbd)RhCl]2–Et3N, [(nbd)RhCl]2–KN(SiMe3)2, and WCl6–Ph4Sn catalysts. The corresponding polyacetylenes with number‐average molecular weights ranging from 23 000 to 185 000 were obtained in 80%‐quantitative yields, except for the polymerization of 1 with W catalyst. Rh‐based poly(1) showed UV‐Vis absorption in the longer wavelength region than Rh‐based poly(2). W‐based poly(2) showed an absorption band edge at a wavelength longer than the Rh‐based polymer. W‐based poly(2) emitted fluorescence at 375 nm upon excitation at 291 nm, while the Rh‐based compound emitted almost no fluorescence. The polymers exhibited new absorption around 360–600 nm based on electrochemically doped species by application of an external voltage.

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Formation of Films on Water Droplets Floating on a Polymer Solution Surface
Authors: Bormashenko Edward , Musin Albina , Bormashenko Yelena , Whyman Gene , Pogreb Roman , Gendelman Oleg
Published: April 2007

The behavior of water droplets deposited on a polymer solution/air interface has been studied. Encapsulation of water droplets with polymer films was observed for solutions based on chlorinated and aromatic solvents, and amorphous polymers. The possibility of producing thin polymer films (including composite ones) is demonstrated. Analysis of the specific surface energies of the interfaces involved in the process easily explains the observed encapsulation. The kinetics of the process is connected with evaporation of the moving solution layer. A mathematical model of the encapsulation process is proposed. The presented experimental data are important for understanding the water‐assisted self‐assembly with rapidly evaporated polymer solutions.

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Macromol. Chem. Phys. 7/2007
Authors: Chiper Manuela , Meier Michael A. R. , Kranenburg Johannes M. , Schubert Ulrich S.
Published: April 2007

Cover: The present study reveals a strong relationship between binding strength of the transition metal ions used and stability of the metal terpyridine homopolymer complexes during SEC measurements. Coordination of bis‐terpyridine‐PEG ligands with nickel(II) ions yielded a supramolecular chain extended polymer with enhanced mechanical properties, which were investigated by nanoindentation. Further details can be found in the Full Paper by M. Chiper, M. A. R. Meier, J. M. Kranenburg, and U. S. Schubert* on page 679.
Hypermethylation of the Dal‐1 gene in lung adenocarcinomas induced by N‐nitrosobis(2‐hydroxypropyl)amine in rats
Authors: Tsujiuchi Toshifumi , Masaoka Tomomi , Sugata Eriko , Onishi Mariko , Fujii Hiromasa , Shimizu Kyoko , Honoki Kanya
Published: April 2007

DAL‐1 (differentially expressed in adenocarcinoma of the lung) is an actin‐binding protein that has been shown to suppress growth in lung cancer cells. Recently, inactivation of the gene encoding DAL‐1 due to hypermethylation has been found in several human malignancies, including lung cancers. To assess the involvement of the Dal‐1 gene in rat lung carcinogenesis, we investigated the expression of Dal1 and its methylation status in rat lung adenocarcinomas induced by N‐nitrosobis(2‐hydroxypropyl)amine (BHP). Six‐week old male Wistar rats (n = 11) were given 2000 ppm BHP in their drinking water for 12 wk and maintained without further treatment until they were sacrificed at 25 wk. Total RNA was extracted from 11 lung adenocarcinomas, one from each BHP treated rat, and Dal‐1 gene expression was analyzed using real‐time quantitative reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction. Dal‐1 expression was significantly reduced in the lung adenocarcinomas compared with three normal lung tissues (P < 0.05). For methylation analysis, bisulfite sequencing was performed using normal lung tissue and tissue from 4 tumors, all of which showed reduced expression of Dal‐1. The 5′ upstream region was highly methylated in all four adenocarcinomas, whereas this region was unmethylated in normal lung tissue. These results suggest that aberrant methylation of the Dal‐1 gene might be involved in the development of lung adenocarcinomas induced in rats by BHP. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Relative non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drug (NSAID) antiproliferative activity is mediated through p21‐induced G1 arrest and E2F inhibition
Authors: Bock Jonathan M. , Menon Sarita G. , Goswami Prabhat C. , Sinclair Lori L. , Bedford Nichole S. , Domann Frederick E. , Trask Douglas K.
Published: April 2007

This study was performed to compare the relative antineoplastic activity of 10 different non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in clinical use, and to investigate the underlying mechanisms of this activity in a squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck model (SCCHN). A standard 5‐day MTT assay was used to calculate IC50 values in UM‐SCC‐1 cells for 10 NSAIDs, including celecoxib, rofecoxib, sulindac sulfide, sulindac sulfone, indomethacin, ketoprofen, flurbiprofen, naproxen, piroxicam, and aspirin. Celecoxib, a COX‐2 specific inhibitor, was by far the most potent NSAID, with an IC50 of 39.9 ± 1.1 µM, followed by sulindac sulfide (116.5 ± 2.34 µM). Celecoxib and sulindac sulfide also induced more activation of caspase‐3 than any other NSAID. Cell cycle analysis showed that celecoxib and sulindac sulfide both induced a 3‐fold increase in G1 phase distribution, and this correlated with strong induction of p21waf1/cip1, inhibition of cyclin D1, and hypophosphorylation of Rb. Celecoxib and sulindac sulfide treatment induced strong downstream inhibition of E2F transactivating activity as determined by a luciferase reporter assay. These data demonstrate the wide range of activity of various NSAID agents, and reveal a mechanism of action through cell cycle inhibition and induction of apoptosis. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Crack dancing in the United Kingdom: Apropos a video case presentation
Authors: Kamath Shankar , Bajaj Nin
Published: April 2007

We report an adult patient presenting with choreiform movements 4 days after a large intravenous dose of cocaine. These movements were transitory and they normalized a week after admission. We believe this to be the first video case of acute chorea secondary to cocaine—a phenomenon popularly known as “crack dancing. ” Cocaine abuse is associated with a wide range of movement disorders, including dystonia and exacerbation of Tourette's syndrome, multifocal tics, opsoclonus‐myoclonus, choreiform movements, and stereotyped behavior known as “punding.” Transient choreiform movements with a typical duration of 2 to 6 days are recognized by cocaine abusers themselves as crack dancing, but are infrequently reported. We present a video report of a patient with cocaine dependency and choreiform movements that normalized within a week of admission. © 2007 Movement Disorder Society
Orthostatic tremor in progressive supranuclear palsy
Authors: de Bie Rob M. A. , Chen Robert , Lang Anthony E.
Published: April 2007

Patients with orthostatic tremor (OT) can be classified as having “primary OT,” with or without postural arm tremor but no other abnormal neurological features, or “OT plus.” We describe a patient with OT, with postural tremor of the arms and restless legs syndrome (RLS), who developed features typical of progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP). PSP can be accompanied by OT. © 2007 Movement Disorder Society
Generalized trapezoidal numerical integration of an advanced soil model
Authors: Yang Yunming , Muraleetharan Kanthasamy K. , Yu H. S.
Published: April 2007

This paper investigates the numerical performance of the generalized trapezoidal integration rule by using an advanced soil model. The generalized trapezoidal integration rule can include many other integration algorithms by adjusting a single parameter α ranging from 1 to 0. The soil model used is the recently developed middle surface concept (MSC) sand model which simulates different soil response characteristics by using different pseudo‐yield functions. The generalized trapezoidal rule and MSC sand model are used to simulate the responses of sand samples with different relative densities under various initial and loading conditions. Instead of a single step, multiple loading steps bring the sample to the vicinity of failure. These comprehensive investigations examine and compare the influences of various values of α on the numerical solution of integrated constitutive equations, the convergence of Newton's iterative scheme, and the integration accuracy. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Temperature drop turbidimetry as a means for the rapid determination of the polydispersity of polymers ii polyethylene oxide
Authors: Hay J. N. , Afifi‐Effat A. M.
Published: March 2007

The molecular weight averages of narrow and broad distribution commercial polyethylene oxide have been estimated by controlled precipitation from iso‐octane/benzene solutions by cooling from 333 to 273 K. Estimates of the distributions, which compared favourably with those determined by gel permeation chromatography (gpc), were obtained from a calibration procedure between the temperature of initial onset of precipitation and the viscosity average molecular weight.

The chief advantages of this procedure were that it enabled molecular weight characteristics to be determined rapidly and with small amounts of materials when g.p.c. was not readily available. The method is used to assess various fractionation procedures.
Synthesis, structure and thermal degradation of diphenyl‐based friedel‐crafts resins
Authors: Ellis Bryan , White P. G.
Published: March 2007

Phillips type Friedel—Crafts resins have been synthesised from biphenyl V by reaction with dichloromethylbenzene III, Mark I resins, without the specific addition of catalysts. Mark II resins have been prepared from biphenyl and p‐xylylene glycol dimethyl ether IV, using stannic chloride as the Friedel‐Crafts catalyst. The structures of these two polymers are similar but have differences of detail. The structures have been established by using methods including elemental analysis, molecular weight determinations and infra‐red and n.m.r. spectra.

Thermal degradation was studied using differential thermal analysis (d.t.a.) and stepwise and isothermal degradation procedures. The amount and composition of the volatile fraction were determined by mass spectroscopy. The fraction consisted of benzene, toluene and xylene together with traces of methane and, from the Mark II resin, methanol. The volatile product was a small fraction of the sample. The residue was the major part and was analysed by determination of its molecular weight and ultra‐violet and n.m.r. spectra. It was concluded that during thermal degradation the main reaction was intramolecular scission. Subsequent reactions led to the formation of substituted 9‐phenylfluorene units. These polymers had high thermal stability and degradation processes were very slow below about 450°C.
Absorption of water into carbon fibre composites
Authors: Judd Nigel C. W.
Published: March 2007

The environmental behaviour of carbon fibre composites is being investigated. Water pick‐up data obtained during these studies are analysed in an attempt to develop an understanding of the absorption mechanism.

There is evidence which indicates that voids and defects in the composite have a marked effect on the absorption process and may assume greater significance than the diffusion process through the resin.

Comments are made as to the possibility of the reversible behaviour of the composites on drying out being associated with hydrogen bonding phenomena. The need to know the size and location of voids is also stressed.
The thermal decomposition of some tolylene bis‐carbamates
Authors: Chambers John , Reese Colin B.
Published: March 2007

In fires, flexible polyurethane foams can decompose to give smokes which are subsequently degraded with the generation of hydrogen cyanide. In order to understand the general nature of this hazard it is first necessary to obtain information about the decomposition mechanism of the polyurethane foams and the structures of the intermediate smokes. The complexity of this problem has required the use of suitable model compounds.

The preparation is described of (i) the four bis‐carbamates based on pure tolylene 2, 4‐diisocyanate and pure tolylene 2,6‐di‐isocyanate, each in combination with 2‐ethoxyethanol and with triethylene glycol monomethyl ether, and (ii) a urethane‐carbodi‐imide‐urethane and a urethane‐urea‐urethane based on pure tolylene 2,6‐di‐isocyanate and 2‐ethoxyethanol. All were decomposed by heating under nitrogen at temperatures near 300°C. The two di‐2‐ethoxyethyl bis‐carbamates (la and IIa) gave volatile monoisocyanate‐monourethanes and 2‐ethoxyethanol. The two di‐2‐[2‐(2‐methoxyethoxy)ethoxy] ethyl bis‐carbamates (Ib and IIb) gave corresponding products and residue which contained carbodi‐imide functions. The urethane‐carbodi‐imide‐urethane (Va) gave a volatile urethane‐carbodi‐imide‐isocyanate (Via) and 2‐ethoxyethanol. The urethane‐urea‐urethane (VIIIa) decomposed through isocyanate‐ and carbodi‐imide‐containing materials to a volatile polymeric urea, which was obtained as a smoke and appeared to be virtually identical with the smoke obtained in earlier work from a commercial polyurethane. These results suggest that poly‐urethanes based on tolylene di‐isocyanate and polyether polyols decompose, when heated under nitrogen at 300°C, by cleavage of urethane groups to regenerate isocyanate groups and liberate alcohols. The isocyanato groups may react either with other isocyanato groups to give carbodi‐imides, which are then rapidly hydrated to ureas, or with water to give amines, which react with other isocyanato groups again to give ureas. Whether these processes occur separately or together, the ultimate product at 300°C, i.e. the smoke, will be a polymeric urea.
Light‐scattering properties of sodium and magnesium alginate
Authors: Dingsøyr Eldar , Smidsrød Olav
Published: March 2007

The weight‐average molecular weight of a fraction of magnesium alginate was found by light‐scattering to be identical within experimental error to that of the corresponding fraction of sodium alginate. The difference in the charge density of sodium and magnesium alginate had no detectable effect on their measured radii of gyration at ionic strength 0.1, but had a great effect on the second virial coefficient of the solutions.

The Orfino‐Flory theory was used to calculate expansion factors, α, from the second virial coefficients, assuming that these were composed of two terms, one due to polymer‐solvent interaction and one due to electrostatic interactions. A comparison with α‐values obtained from viscosity data at different ionic strengths suggested that alginate is soluble in water because of electrostatic stabilisation and not because of a favourable polymer‐water interaction.
Thermal degradation of polyepichlorhydrin elastomers
Authors: Day John , Wright Walter W.
Published: March 2007

The thermal degradation of polyepichlorhydrin and of the copolymer of epichlorhydrin with ethylene oxide, both in the uncompounded and compounded form, has been studied in air and inert atmosphere by thermogravimetry. A detailed examination has also been made of the evolution of hydrogen chloride from the homopolymer as a function of temperature and compounding formulation, specific attention being given to the efficiency of the acid acceptor. It is concluded that with suitable formulationohydrogen chloride evolution should not be a problem at temperatures at least up to 175°C.
On the effect of a secondary process on the course of polymer crystallisation. Part 3
Authors: Hay James N.
Published: March 2007

A crystallisation rate equation which allows for a secondary process involving an increase in crystallinity with logarithmic time has been derived. The model involves volume relaxation of the amorphous material constrained between crystalline regions and considered to relax as a glass. In general the equation predicts values of the Avrami exponent which are fractional, but in practice the equation cannot account for the range of values observed experimentally with polyethylene.
The contribution of neutron scattering to polymer science
Authors: Allen Geoffrey , Maconnachie Ann
Published: March 2007

The contribution of neutron scattering to polymer science is reviewed. A summary is given of the theory of neutron scattering followed by a review of the literature. Particular emphasis is placed on the use of small angle neutron scattering to observe the conformation of polymer chains in bulk polymers and concentrated polymer solutions and on quasi elastic neutron scattering to measure the dynamics of polymer chains.
The thermodynamic properties of liquids, including solutions. XIV. Solutions of normal alkanes: Models for oligomer solutions
Authors: Huggins Maurice L.
Published: March 2007

From published HE data for 10 n‐alkane solutions in benzene at 25°C, the three parameters of the author's solution theory have been calculated. The values obtained agree quite well with εΔ = 3068 J/mole, K = 1, and rσ = 0.2 + 0.2 nc = 0.1 nH. The problems involved in the extension of these results to higher oligomers of polymethylene and to other solutions of chain molecules are briefly discussed.
A study on preferential solvation on styrene‐methyl methacrylate copolymers of varying architecture and composition by conventional and density gradient sedimentation equilibrium methods
Authors: Nakazawa Atsushi , Donkai Nobuo , Kotaka Tadao , Inagaki Hiroshi
Published: March 2007

Preferential solvation in quasiternary systems composed of p‐xylene (pXY), 1,2‐dibromo‐1, 1‐difluoroethane (DBFE) and styrene (ST)‐methyl methacrylate (MMA) copolymers of varying architecture and composition was studied by two ultracentrifugation methods: sedimentation equilibrium in a density gradient and conventional sedimentation equilibrium. The preferential solvation parameters were estimated for the systems containing alternating, statistical and block copolymers as well as polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) and polystyrene (PST). Virtually no solvation was observed by PST, while significant solvation of DBFE to MMA units took place. For alternating and statistical copolymers the solvation parameter is approximately the composition average of those of PST and PMMA, although a slight but distinct difference between those of the alternating and statistical copolymers was observed. However, in block copolymers of either PST‐PMMA or PMMA‐PST‐PMMA type of high PST content, it appears that the solvation of DBFE to PMMA‐blocks is suppressed by the presence of PST‐blocks.
Differential Scanning Calorimetry of Stressed Polymers
Authors: Shanks Robert A. , Smith Christine N.
Published: April 2007

Stresses which have been frozen into a polymer by cooling to below its glass transition temperature (Tg) are relieved when the polymer is reheated above its Tg. Polymers which have been elongated will contract above Tg. This sudden contraction just above Tg is detected as a sharp drop in the differential scanning calorimetric curve. This is the reverse of the well known superheating endotherm accompanying the expansion of annealed polymers. The decrease in the differential scanning calorimetric curve immediately after the Tg inflection can be quantitatively related to the residual strain in poly(vinyl chloride) and polycarbonate.
Thermal Ageing of Filled Polymers
Authors: Shanks Robert A.
Published: April 2007

The rate of thermal ageing has been found to decrease when a polymer is adsorbed onto a filler. The retardation of this glassy state relaxation has been found to be dependent on the type and amount of filler present. Comparison with values for the glass transition temperature and melt rheology parameters shows that the same factors are determining each of these properties. Each of these properties is determined by the mobility of the polymer molecules and this is restricted by adsorption onto a filler.
Multiple Exothermic Oxidation Behaviour of Polyethylene
Authors: Lee Yew‐Wing
Published: April 2007

The change of shape patterns of the oxidation peak on differential thermal analysis curves of a series of formulations of polyethylene has been investigated. The unstabilised sample exhibits two oxidation peaks. When a chain‐terminating antioxidant and dilaurylthiodipropionate were added to polyethylene, it was found that as the concentration of dilaurylthiodipropionate increases, the second oxidation peak reduces in size. In many instances when the amount of dilaurylthiodipropionate reaches 0.3% (by weight), the second oxidation peak disappears. The influences of processing method and outdoor exposure on the peak shape have also been examined. The effectiveness and consumption of antioxidants during weathering is clearly shown by the shape change of the oxidation peak on the differential thermal analysis curves.