bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Incidence of acute occupational pesticide poisoning among male farmers in South Korea
Authors: Lee Won Jin , Cha Eun Shil , Park Jinwoo , Ko Yousun , Kim Hyun Joong , Kim Jaeyoung 
Published: February 2012

AbstractBackgroundPesticide poisoning from agricultural labor has been recognized as a major public health problem among farmers worldwide. The objective of this study was to examine the incidence of acute occupational pesticide poisoning among male farmers in South Korea.MethodsA nationwide sampling survey of male farmers was conducted in South Korea. This survey used a stratified multistage probability sampling design and adopted the face‐to‐face interview method. A total of 1,958 male farmers were interviewed in order to estimate the incidence of acute occupational pesticide poisoning in rural areas in 2010. Based on a self‐reported definition, the incidence rate in 2010 and the lifetime hospitalization rate due to acute occupational pesticide poisoning among male farmers were estimated.ResultsThe incidence rate of acute occupational pesticide poisoning was 24.7 (95% CI 22.1–27.2) per 100 male farmers, which corresponds to 209,512 cases across South Korea in 2010. About 12% of the pesticide poisoning cases included either visiting a medical doctor or hospitalization. The lifetime rate of hospitalization due to occupational pesticide poisoning was 6.1 (95% CI 4.9–7.3) among male farmers. Poisoning occurred mainly when farmers were applying pesticides during summer.ConclusionOur nationwide sampling survey demonstrated that acute occupational pesticide poisonings are highly prevalent among male South Korean farmers. Intensive intervention efforts to reduce occupational pesticide poisoning are urgently needed in South Korea. Am. J. Ind. Med. 55:799–807, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Injuries caused by work‐related violence: Frequency, need for medical treatment and associations with adverse mental health and alcohol use among Finnish police officers
Authors: Leino Tuula , Eskelinen Kaisa , Summala Heikki , Virtanen Marianna 
Published: February 2012

AbstractBackgroundWe examined the associations of the frequency and the need for medical treatment caused by work‐related violence with adverse mental health among Finnish police officers (n = 1,734).MethodsThe data were collected via a questionnaire.ResultsEmployees who had suffered more than one injury were at a 4.86‐fold risk (95% CI = 2.72–8.66) of increased alcohol consumption, a 4.40‐fold risk (95% CI = 2.87–6.76) of psychological distress symptoms, and a 2.49‐fold risk (95% CI = 1.73–3.59) of fear of future violence compared to those who had suffered no injuries. Among those who had suffered injuries (n = 843), the need for medical treatment when injured was associated with a 2.33‐fold risk (95% CI = 1.19–4.57) of psychological distress symptoms and with a 2.09‐fold risk (95% CI = 1.08–4.03) of fear of future violence when compared to those who did not need medical care for their injury.ConclusionsAmong police officers, high frequency and the need for medical treatment of injuries is associated with an increased risk of adverse mental health. High frequency of injuries may also increase alcohol consumption among police officers. Am. J. Ind. Med. 55:691–697, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Prenatal testing for Down syndrome: The perspectives of parents of individuals with Down syndrome
Authors: Inglis Angela , Hippman Catriona , Austin Jehannine C. 
Published: February 2012

AbstractThis exploratory, descriptive study examined the views and opinions of parents of individuals with Down syndrome (DS) related to prenatal testing for DS and the use of age‐based criteria to determine eligibility for this testing. This survey‐based study was designed in collaboration with parents of individuals with DS and the British Columbia‐based Lower Mainland Down Syndrome Society (LMDSS). The survey was a 26‐item, self‐report questionnaire, which was distributed by the LMDSS. Out of the 246 potentially eligible individuals that were mailed surveys, 101 participants returned their completed surveys. The availability of prenatal screening and diagnostic testing for DS was perceived positively by 55.1% and 64.7% of parents, respectively. More than half (60.2%) of participants felt that prenatal diagnostic testing for DS should be available to all pregnant women, regardless of age. In this study, views of Canadian parents of individuals with DS aligned with the prenatal testing policy recently adopted in the USA (whereby any woman, regardless of age or risk factors, can opt for prenatal diagnostic testing) rather than with new Canadian policy (whereby eligibility for diagnostic testing is no longer offered on the basis of age, but on the basis of other risk factors). © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Autosomal linkage scan for loci predisposing to comorbid dependence on multiple substances
Authors: Yang Bao‐Zhu , Han Shizhong , Kranzler Henry R. , Farrer Lindsay A. , Elston Robert C. , Gelernter Joel 
Published: February 2012

AbstractMultiple substance dependence (MSD) trait comorbidity is common, and MSD patients are often severely affected clinically. While shared genetic risks have been documented, so far there has been no published report using the linkage scan approach to survey risk loci for MSD as a phenotype. A total of 1,758 individuals in 739 families [384 African American (AA) and 355 European American (EA) families] ascertained via affected sib‐pairs with cocaine or opioid or alcohol dependence were genotyped using an array‐based linkage panel of single‐nucleotide polymorphism markers. Fuzzy clustering analysis was conducted on individuals with alcohol, cannabis, cocaine, opioid, and nicotine dependence for AAs and EAs separately, and linkage scans were conducted for the output membership coefficients using Merlin‐regression. In EAs, we observed an autosome‐wide significant linkage signal on chromosome 4 (peak lod = 3.31 at 68.3 cM; empirical autosome‐wide P = 0.038), and a suggestive linkage signal on chromosome 21 (peak lod = 2.37 at 19.4 cM). In AAs, four suggestive linkage peaks were observed: two peaks on chromosome 10 (lod = 2.66 at 96.7 cM and lod = 3.02 at 147.6 cM] and the other two on chromosomes 3 (lod = 2.81 at 145.5 cM) and 9 (lod = 1.93 at 146.8 cM). Three particularly promising candidate genes, GABRA4, GABRB1, and CLOCK, are located within or very close to the autosome‐wide significant linkage region for EAs on chromosome 4. This is the first linkage evidence supporting existence of genetic loci influencing risk for several comorbid disorders simultaneously in two major US populations. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Synthesis and characterization of MQ silicone resins
Authors: Sun Fang , Hu Yanli , Du Hong‐Guang 
Published: February 2012

AbstractMQ silicone resins, which represent a broad range of hydrolytic condensation products of monofunctional silane (M) and tetrafunctional silane (Q), were synthesized by reaction of water glass with hexamethyldisiloxane. The optimum reaction time and the optimal reaction temperature is 30 min and 30–40°C, respectively. Concentrated hydrochloric acid is the best one among those catalysts tested. In large‐scale experiments (420–1680 mL), the favorable feeding order is catalyst first, and then water glass, the mixture of hexamethyldisiloxane and ethanol last and most MQ silicone resin was observed. The structure of MQ silicone resin was characterized by FT‐IR and GPC spectra. The MQ silicone resin shows narrow molecular weight distribution and the number average molecular weight of MQ silicone resin is 2917. The silicone pressure sensitive adhesive prepared from as‐synthesized MQ resin has good tack (29#) and 180° peel adhesion (5.630N/20 mm). © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Insertion of poly(acrylamide) disc‐columnar liquid crystals as a functional template in organic photovoltaics
Authors: Lee Chun‐Che , Huang Wen‐Yao 
Published: February 2012

AbstractPoly(acrylamide) disc‐columnar liquid crystals act as a transport interlayer that has been developed to improve photoconversion efficiency. It is composed of 2,3,6,7‐tetra‐6‐hexyloxydibenzo[a,c]phenazine‐11‐carboxylic monomer and polyacrylamide to show a high isotropic phase transition point of ∼ 270°C and a decomposition temperature Td5% = 450°C. Absorption in the visible light region is in the range of 200–450 nm. A hexagonally columnar mesophase was investigated by optical and texture analysis. The ability of a self‐assembled pathway enhanced carrier mobility due to π‐π conjugation in stacking up macrocyclic core. This study demonstrated the insertion of a functionally dibenzophenazine‐based polymer as a hole‐extracting layer with a columnar array in OPVs which is sufficient to promote a 16% increase in the amount of harvested light. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Formation of double‐surface‐silvered polyimide films via a direct ion‐exchange self‐metallization technique: The case of BPADA/ODA and [Ag(NH3)2]+
Authors: Lin Zhi‐Wei , Qi Sheng‐Li , Wu De‐Zhen 
Published: February 2012

AbstractDouble‐surface‐silvered polyimide (PI) films have been successfully fabricated via a direct ion‐exchange self‐metallization method using silver ammonia complex cation ([Ag(NH3)2]+) as silver resource and bis[4‐(3,4‐dicarboxyphenoxy)phenyl]propane dianhydride/4,4′‐oxydianiline (BPADA/ODA)‐based poly(amic acid) (PAA) as the PI precursor. The alkaline characteristic of the silver precursor dramatically improves the efficiency of the ion exchange and film metallization process. By using an aqueous [Ag(NH3)2]+ solution with a concentration of only 0.01M and an ion‐exchange time of only 5 min, metallized films with desirable performance could be easily obtained by simply heating the silver(I)‐doped PAA films to 300°C. The strong hydrolysis effect of the basic [Ag(NH3)2]+ cations on the flexible and acidic BPADA/ODA PAA chains was observed during the ion exchange process by the quantitative evaluation of the mass loss of PAA matrix. Nevertheless, under the present experimental conditions, the final metallized film essentially retained the basic structural, thermal, and mechanical properties of the pristine PI, which make it a truly applicable material. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Mechanical properties, morphology, flammability, and thermokinetic investigation of high‐density polyethylene/Jatropha deoiled cake composites
Authors: Elshaarani T. , Yaakob Z. , Zaman M. D. Khairul , Mohammad M. , Abdullah S. R. S. 
Published: February 2012

AbstractHigh‐density polyethylene (HDPE)/jatropha deoiled cake (JOC) composites were fabricated by melt compounding; the molded specimens were tested for their tensile properties and water absorption. The thermal properties were investigated with thermogravimetry (TG) analysis, differential scanning microscopy (DSC), and limiting oxygen index testing. The degradation kinetic parameters were calculated with the Friedman and Freeman–Carroll models. The morphology of the tensile fractured composites was investigated by scanning electron microscopy. The results show that the introduction of JOC significantly reduced the tensile strength, percentage elongation at break, and modulus. On the one hand, JOC increased the water uptake. The TG and differential TG of JOC showed that the thermal degradation took place in two stages. The neat HDPE revealed a single degradation stage, whereas the blend showed three degradation stages. The composites' initial degradation temperature decreased; however, the residue chars increased with increasing JOC content. The activation energies (Ea's) were lower in the case of the blends than that corresponding to HDPE. The DSC results showed decreases in the melting temperature and degree of crystallinity of the composites. A considerable enhancement of the flame‐retardant properties was observed for the composites. These experimental results suggest a synergetic effect caused by the coprocessing of the two materials together. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Electrospun fibers from functional polyglycidol/poly(ε‐caprolactone) blends with defined surface properties
Authors: Haamann D. , Bispinghoff M. , Hönders D. , Suschek C. , Möller M. , Klee D. 
Published: February 2012

AbstractHighly hydrophilic but water insoluble fibers from star‐shaped poly(ethoxyethyl glycidyl ether) and poly(ε‐caprolactone) polymer blends in the submicron range were prepared using the electrospinning technique. The fibers were achieved in a smooth and homogeneous manner and do show tremendous decreased protein adsorption. Additionally, using alkyne‐ or vinyl sulfonate end capped polymer, fibers with the correspondent surface reactivity have been prepared. All fibers showed high biocompatibility and were highly hydrophilic but water stable. Furthermore, nonwovens based on functionalized poly(ethoxyethyl glycidyl ether) were equipped with small biofunctional molecules, e.g., the peptide sequence glycine‐arginine‐glycine‐aspartate‐serine (GRGDS). These fibers showed increased cell attachment compared with nonfunctionalized nonwovens. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Soybean meal‐based adhesive enhanced by MUF resin
Authors: Gao Qiang , Shi Sheldon Q. , Zhang Shifeng , Li Jianzhang , Wang Xiaomei , Ding Wubin , Liang Kaiwen , Wang Jinwu 
Published: February 2012

AbstractSoybean meal flour, polyethylene glycol (PEG), sodium hydroxide (NaOH), and a melamine‐urea‐formaldehyde (MUF) resin were used to formulate soybean meal/MUF resin adhesive. Effects of the adhesive components on the water resistance and formaldehyde emission were measured on three‐ply plywood. The viscosity and solid content of the different adhesive formulations were measured. The functional groups of the cured adhesives were evaluated. The results showed that the wet shear strength of plywood bonded by soybean meal/NaOH adhesive increased by 33% to 0.61 MPa after adding NaOH into the adhesive formulation. Addition of PEG reduced the viscosity of the soybean meal/NaOH/PEG adhesive by 91% to 34,489 cP. By using the MUF resin, the solid content of the soybean meal/MUF resin adhesive was improved to 39.2%, the viscosity of the adhesive was further reduced by 37% to 21,727 cP, and the wet shear strength of plywood bonded by the adhesive was increased to 0.95 MPa, which met the interior plywood requirements (≥0.7 MPa). The formaldehyde emission of plywood bonded by the soybean meal/MUF resin adhesive was obtained at 0.28 mg/L, which met the strictest requirement of the China National Standard (≤0.5 mg/L). FTIR showed using the MUF resin formed more CH2 group in the cured adhesive. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Illegal trade of the guitarfish Rhinobatos horkelii on the coasts of central and southern Brazil: genetic identification to aid conservation
Authors: Alexandre de‐Franco Bruno , Fernandes Mendonça Fernando , Oliveira Claudio , Foresti Fausto 
Published: February 2012

ABSTRACT

Among the diverse species of guitarfish, Rhinobatos horkelii is endemic to the south‐west Atlantic and is primarily found off the Brazilian coast. The IUCN has classified this species as being in critical danger of extinction owing to widespread exploitation.
Currently, this species is protected under Brazilian conservation laws. However, the morphological similarity of R. horkelii to other species precludes effective protection from fishing.
Guitarfish samples were obtained from fishermen in different regions along the Brazilian coast and were identified using a genetic forensic method (multiplex‐PCR). The analysis showed that 56% of the samples analysed were from R. horkelii, 25% from Rhinobatos percellens and 19% from Zapteryx brevirostris confirming that R. horkelii continues to be caught, despite conservation legislation.
These results stress the need for effective conservation measures and may help to alert others to the occurrence of R. horkelii poaching. In addition, this work aims to establish an effective method of species identification to help prevent poaching of protected species such as R. horkelii. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Histomorphometric and Immunohistochemical Study of the Goat Rumen During Prenatal Development
Authors: García Angela , Masot Javier , Franco Antonio , Gázquez Antonio , Redondo Eloy 
Published: February 2012

AbstractThis study sought to chart the ontogenesis of the goat rumen by histomorphometric examination, scanning electron microscopy and immunohistochemical analysis. A total of 140 goat embryos and fetuses were used, from the first stage of prenatal life until birth. The appearance of the rumen from the primitive gastric tube was observed at 35 days of prenatal life (CRL 3 cm, 23% gestation). By 38 days (CRL 4.3 cm CRL, 25% gestation) the ruminal wall comprised three layers: an internal epithelial layer, a middle layer of pluripotential blastemic tissue and an external layer or serosa. Ruminal pillars were visible at 46 days (CRL 6 cm, 30% gestation), and by 76 days (CRL 18 cm, 50% gestation) ruminal papillae were starting to appear. Under scanning electron microscopy, by 50 days (CRL 7.7 cm, 33% gestation) small ruminal papillae were observed protruding from the surface. Finally, neuroendocrine cells (synaptophysin, SYP) were detected at 53 days (CRL 9 cm CRL, 35% gestation), while glial cell markers (glial fibrillary acidic protein—GFAP, and vimentin‐VIM) were found at 108 days (CRL 31 cm, 72% gestation) and 39 days (CRL 4.4 cm, 26% gestation), respectively. Neuropeptide Y (NPY) and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) were detected immunohistochemically at 113 days (CRL 33 cm, 75% gestation) and 120 days (CRL 35 cm, 80% gestation), respectively. In conclusion, histomorphogenesis of the rumen in goats was similar to that reported in deer, but rather slower than observed for sheep or cattle. Anat Rec, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Lysophosphatidic acid receptor 1 suppression sensitizes rheumatoid fibroblast‐like synoviocytes to tumor necrosis factor–induced apoptosis
Authors: Orosa Beatriz , González Antonio , Mera Antonio , Gómez‐Reino Juan J. , Conde Carmen 
Published: February 2012

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate the role of lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) receptors in the proliferation and apoptosis of fibroblast‐like synoviocytes (FLS) from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).MethodsExpression of LPA receptors 1–3 was analyzed by real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). LPAR1 and LPAR2 were suppressed in RA FLS by small interfering RNA (siRNA) transfection. Proliferation of RA FLS after tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and LPA stimulation was determined with a luminescent cell viability assay. Apoptosis was analyzed by quantification of nucleosome release and measurement of activated caspase 3/7. Genes involved in the apoptotic response were identified with a human apoptosis PCR array and validated with Western blot assays. The requirement of these genes for apoptosis sensitization was assessed by siRNA transfection. Secretion of mediators of inflammation was analyzed by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay.ResultsOnly LPAR1 and LPAR2 were expressed by RA FLS, and their levels were higher than those in osteoarthritis (OA) FLS. Suppression of LPAR1 abrogated TNF‐induced proliferation and sensitized the RA FLS, but not the OA FLS, to TNF‐induced apoptosis. These changes occurred despite an increased early inflammatory response to TNF. Sensitization to apoptosis was associated with changes in expression of multiple apoptosis‐related genes. Three of the up‐regulated proapoptotic genes were further studied to confirm their involvement. In contrast, suppression of LPAR2 showed no effect in any of these analyses.ConclusionLPA1 is an important receptor in RA FLS. Its suppression is accompanied by a global increase in the response to TNF that is ultimately dominated by sensitization to apoptosis.
Familial clustering of the serum cytokine profile in the relatives of rheumatoid arthritis patients
Authors: El‐Gabalawy Hani S. , Robinson David B. , Smolik Irene , Hart Donna , Elias Brenda , Wong Keng , Peschken Christine A. , Hitchon Carol A. , Li Xuan , Bernstein Charles N. , Newkirk Marianna M. , Fritzler Marvin J. 
Published: February 2012

AbstractObjectiveRheumatoid arthritis (RA) is prevalent in North American Native populations, with a high frequency of multicase families and seropositivity in first‐degree relatives. This study was undertaken to determine whether the serum cytokine profile of first‐degree relatives of North American Native patients with RA differed from that of individuals with no family history of autoimmunity and whether there was an association with RA autoantibodies.MethodsNorth American Native patients with RA (n = 105), their first‐degree relatives (n = 273), healthy North American Native controls (n = 200), and Caucasian controls (n = 150) were studied. Serum levels of 42 cytokines were tested using a multiplex laser bead assay. Rheumatoid factor (RF), anti–cyclic citrullinated peptide 2 (anti–CCP‐2), monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP‐l), and high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hsCRP) were tested by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay, and HLA–DRB1 alleles by specific primers. Discriminant analysis and logistic regression classified individuals based on their cytokine profile.ResultsThe prevalence of RF (cutoff level predetermined to include 5% of Caucasian controls) and anti‐CCP (cutoff level of ≥40 units) was, respectively, 88% and 81% in the RA patients, 34% and 9% in first‐degree relatives, and 9% and 4% in North American Native controls; the prevalence of anti‐CCP was 0% in Caucasian controls. Levels of most cytokines were highest in RA patients; 17 of 40 cytokines (43%) were significantly higher in first‐degree relatives than in controls, including multiple proinflammatory cytokines. Discriminant analysis showed a notable distinction between the groups, with 85% classification accuracy. First‐degree relatives had markedly higher MCP‐1 and hsCRP levels than North American Native controls, but there was no consistent association with RA autoantibodies.ConclusionOur findings indicate that levels of multiple cytokines and hsCRP are higher in first‐degree relatives of North American Native patients with RA compared to individuals from a nonautoimmune background. These data suggest that elevated baseline cytokine levels may be part of the risk profile for developing RA.