bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Understanding gender and diversity dimensions of irrigation management for pro‐poor interventions
Authors: Hussain Intizar 
Published: March 2007

AbstractThis paper offers a critical review and synthesis of key issues and lessons on gender and diversity dimensions of irrigation in the context of poverty alleviation interventions. The paper is a part of the multi‐country study carried out by the author at the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) in collaboration with national partners in six Asian countries (Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, Pakistan and Vietnam) during 2001–2002. The paper suggests that, while making large contributions to irrigated agriculture, women depend on, and benefit from, irrigation water in a variety of ways including water uses for domestic and livelihood purposes. Gender and diversity aspects are critical in irrigation management that aims to address poverty issues. An understanding of these aspects is important for designing pro‐poor interventions in irrigated agriculture. Women and low socio‐economic groups have benefited where gender and diversity issues have been incorporated in policy formulation, project design and implementation. Designing the irrigation infrastructure such that the irrigation systems become multiple use systems can enhance the benefits of investments in irrigation for the poor women. Finally, the paper suggests that policy and project level interventions that aim to address gender and diversity issues need to focus not only on areas predominantly inhabited by the poor belonging to low castes, clans, tribes and ethnic minorities, but also in areas where such groups are in minorities. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Poverty‐reducing impacts of irrigation: evidence and lessons
Authors: Hussain Intizar 
Published: March 2007

AbstractThis paper is part of the multi‐country study on “pro‐poor intervention strategies in irrigated agriculture in Asia” carried out by the author at the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) in collaboration with national partners in six Asian countries, namely Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, Pakistan and Vietnam. The study is largely based on primary data collected from over 5400 households in 26 irrigation systems during 2001–2002. This paper summarizes the findings of the study, and further extends the results (as presented in the sister paper in this Special Issue) on direct and indirect benefits and disbenefits of irrigation in terms of their poverty alleviation impacts. The paper examines evidence on poverty‐reducing impacts of irrigation in local settings as well as at broader regional levels, and also looks into key factors influencing these impacts, and attempts to answer the following key questions: (i) what is the magnitude of impact of irrigation on poverty reduction; (ii) what is the response of poverty reduction to irrigation or irrigation‐induced expansion in agricultural output across various settings; (iii) do poverty‐reducing impacts of irrigation vary across systems, and if so, why? Or what are the conditioning factors that determine the anti‐poverty impacts of irrigation? The paper offers insights into these questions with analyses and findings from our studies and with review and referencing of other related topical studies on the subject. Finally, the paper draws some generic lessons that could be useful in irrigation investment decisions. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Immune response against polyester implants is influenced by the coating substances
Authors: Wilhelm Lutz , Zippel Roland , von Woedtke Thomas , Kenk Heidrun , Hoene Andreas , Patrzyk Maciej , Schlosser Michael 
Published: March 2007

AbstractThe aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of the coating of polymer implants upon the individual humoral immune response to the polymer matrix. Intramuscular implantation and explantation of samples from three different polyester vascular prostheses coated with collagen, gelatin, or human serum albumin was performed in LEW.1A rats and subsequently compared to sham operated control animals. Antibodies in serum samples were detected by means of enzyme immunoassays employing particles of pure polyester and the respective prosthesis, or solid phase bound coating substances as targets. In contrast to the controls, all animals with implants demonstrated a high antipolyester antibody response with a broad individual variability graduated according to the prosthesis coatings: gelatin > albumin > collagen. This was further significantly increased after the second implantation/first explantation and declined following the last explantation. Only animals with albumin‐coated implants revealed specific antibodies to the coating as well as the strongest overall immunological reaction against the prosthesis already on day 8. Specificity of polymer antibodies was demonstrated by competitive inhibition of median antibody binding. Our results showed a specific immune reaction as a result of the applied polymer, which varied due to the surface‐coating and individual factors. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res 2007
Reactive oxygen and nitrogen species: Implications for cardiovascular device engineering
Authors: Kader Khalid N. , Coyle Christian H. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractThe development of medical devices for cardiovascular applications has suffered due to lack of understanding of why vascular wall cells act nonphysiologically when exposed to biomaterials. One possible reason might be the chemical environment associated with cardiovascular disease. An improved understanding of cellular and subcellular mechanisms may assist in future device design to account for the disease environment. Reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS/RNS) are produced through normal cellular metabolism and are rendered harmless by enzymatic systems. However, during a disease process, these systems may act aberrantly, and either fail to convert ROS and RNS to harmless substances or by producing more oxidants. There is indirect evidence that the implantation of biomedical materials may also be responsible for the triggering of these aberrant pathways that may lead to the eventual failure of the device. The understanding of how the vascular environment may be changed at the subcellular level by the presence of a biomaterial is critical. In the following pages, we hope to review the current thinking within vascular biology regarding ROS and RNS, how they are measured, and how they may impact vascular cells. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2007
Comparative in vitro and in vivo studies using a bioactive poly(ε‐caprolactone)‐organosiloxane nanohybrid containing calcium salt
Authors: Yoo Jeong Joon , Lee Jong Eun , Kim Hee Joong , Kim Sug‐Jun , Lim Jung Hyun , Lee Seung Jin , Lee Jae Il , Lee Yong‐Keun , Lim Bum‐Soon , Rhee Sang‐Hoon 
Published: March 2007

AbstractComparative in vitro and in vivo studies were conducted using a bioactive poly(ε‐caprolactone)‐organosiloxane nanohybrid containing calcium, which was prepared by sol–gel method. The behavior of human bone marrow stromal cells (hBMSCs) during in vitro osteogenic differentiation were evaluated on poly(ε‐caprolactone)‐organosiloxane nanohybrid and poly(ε‐caprolactone)‐organosiloxane nanohybrid coated with apatite, which mimicked in vivo events. hBMSCs cultured on tissue culture plates (TCPs) were used as a control. For comparative studies, in vivo testing was also conducted using poly(ε‐caprolactone)‐organosiloxane nanohybrid and poly(ε‐caprolactone)‐organosiloxane nanohybrid coated with apatite in the diaphyseal bone defects of rabbit tibiae. Initial attachments and early proliferations of hBMSCs onto poly(ε‐caprolactone)‐organosiloxane with or without the apatite layer were comparable those onto TCPs. However, the late proliferation and the osteogenic differentiation activities on poly(ε‐caprolactone)‐organosiloxane nanohybrid were significantly lower than the hybrid coated with apatite or TCPs. These results were caused by the delayed detachment of hBMSCs induced by the upward growth of spire‐shaped apatite granules on the flat apatite layer through mixed nucleation (heterogeneous and homogeneous nucleation) and growth of apatite crystals during cell culture. However, the poly(ε‐caprolactone)‐organosiloxane nanohybrid showed excellent osteoconductivity as same as poly(ε‐caprolactone)‐organosiloxane nanohybrid coated with apatite in vivo even though the cell testing results in vitro were poor. This discrepancy can be explained by the difference in initial degree of supersaturation of apatite in cell culture medium and buffering ability between cell culture medium and body fluid with respect to calcium, which directly affects the nucleation mechanism of apatite crystals and the morphology of grown apatite granules. These findings imply that much attention is required and an optimal method should be used to assess cell responses in vitro. Our results suggest that precoating the apatite layer before in vitro testing is desirable for bioactive materials that release calcium quickly and in large amount because this treatment can more closely mimic in vivo events. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2007
Hybrid titania–aminosilane platforms evaluated with human mesenchymal stem cells
Authors: Manso‐Silván M. , Rodríguez‐Navas C. , Arroyo‐Hernández M. , López‐Elvira E. , Gago R. , Vázquez L. , Agulló‐Rueda F. , Climent A. , Martínez‐Duart J. M. , García‐Ruiz J. P. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractThe properties of hybrid aminopropyltriethoxysilane–tetraisopropylorthotitanate (APTS‐TIPT) platforms prepared by a sol–gel route have been explored, and their biocompatibility was assayed after culture of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs). The organic content of this material was observed to be preferably surface‐oriented as indicated by microanalytical techniques. Furthermore, the surface showed characteristic amino‐silane bands when explored by Raman spectroscopy as well as indications of silane and titanate condensation. Surface activity of the amino groups was probed by ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy imine derivatization and chemical force spectroscopy, showing a pH‐dependent surface charge‐induced potential. hMSCs cultured onto these surfaces showed relevant differences with respect to their behavior on gelatin‐coated glass plates. Even if with a lower proliferative rate than controls, the cells develop long cytosolic prolongations in osteogenic differentiation medium, thus, supporting the idea of an APTS‐TIPT stimulated process. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2007
Initial cytotoxicity of novel titanium alloys
Authors: Koike M. , Lockwood P. E. , Wataha J. C. , Okabe T. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractWe assessed the biological response to several novel titanium alloys that have promising physical properties for biomedical applications. Four commercial titanium alloys [Super‐TIX® 800, Super‐TIX® 51AF, TIMETAL® 21SRx, and Ti‐6Al‐4V (ASTM grade 5)] and three experimental titanium alloys [Ti‐13Cr‐3Cu, Ti‐1.5Si and Ti‐1.5Si‐5Cu] were tested. Specimens (n = 6; 5.0 × 5.0 × 3.0 mm3) were cast in a centrifugal casting machine using a MgO‐based investment and polished to 600 grit, removing 250 μm from each surface. Commercially pure titanium (CP Ti: ASTM grade 2) and Teflon® (polytetrafluoroethylene) were used as positive controls. The specimens were cleaned and disinfected, and then each cleaned specimen was placed in direct contact with Balb/c 3T3 fibroblasts for 72 h. The cytotoxicity [succinic dehydrogenase (SDH) activity] of the extracts was assessed using the MTT method. Cytotoxicity of the metals tested was not statistically different compared to the CP Ti and Teflon® controls (p > 0.05). These novel titanium alloys pose cytotoxic risks no greater than many other commonly used alloys, including commercially pure titanium. The promising short‐term biocompatibility of these Ti alloys is probably due to their excellent corrosion resistance under static conditions, even in biological environments. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2007
Development of self‐expandable covered stents
Authors: Sato Sachiko , Nakayama Yasuhide , Miura Yoshihiro , Okamoto Yoshihiro , Asano Hiroyuki , Ishibashi‐Ueda Hatsue , Zhou Yue‐Min , Hayashida Kyoko , Matsuhashi Toshio , Seiji Kazumasa , Sato Akihiro , Yamada Takayuki , Takahashi Shoki , Ishibashi Tadashi 
Published: March 2007

AbstractWe newly developed self‐expandable covered stents by combining two of our original technologies. Of these, the first is the dip‐coating covering method that was developed previously for balloon‐expandable stents; the other is the newly developed self‐expandable Nitinol stents, namely, Sendai stents. The three types of covered stents with the expansion diameter of 4.5, 5.0, or 6.0 mm thus obtained had a laser‐processed microporous elastomeric cover film (pore diameter: 100 μm, interpore distance: 250 μm). Although the film was extremely thin (∼15 μm), the film could be expanded without causing any damage, the strut was completely embedded within the film, and the luminal surface of the film was smooth and flat. Mechanical properties such as ideal flexibility to follow the shapes of arteries were almost retained even after covering. As appropriate drugs, the blood‐contacting inner and tissue‐contacting outer surfaces of the film were differentially coated with argatroban for antithrombogenicity or FK506 for anti‐inflammation, respectively. The preliminary in vivo study indicated that the covered stents mounted in the delivery catheter were navigated and placed to appropriate position in the arteries, and permissible neointimal thickening after 1‐month implantation was observed similarly in noncovered stents. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2007
Certification in neuromuscular medicine: A new neurologic subspecialty
Authors: Aminoff Michael J. , Massey Janice M. , Scheiber Stephen C. , Juul Dorthea 
Published: March 2007

AbstractInformation is provided concerning the new subspecialty certificate in neuromuscular medicine of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and the eligibility requirements for such certification of practicing neurologists and child neurologists. The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education has approved fellowship training in the subspecialty, and it is likely that residents who wish to pursue a career in neuromuscular medicine will select this training option. Muscle Nerve 35: 409–410, 2007
Yielding of plates with hardening and large deformations
Authors: Eggers Hans , Kröplin Bernd 
Published: March 2007

AbstractA mixed finite element technique is used to study the influence of yielding on buckled plates. Orthogonal anisotropic hardening is determined solely by a yield condition, which is introduced into a mixed functional for the elastic plate by Lagrange Multipliers. The Euler equations of the constrained functional include Prager's normality rule.Numerical results are given for rectangular plates of different size calculated for various material properties.
NADPH oxidase is required for neutrophil‐dependent autoantibody‐induced tissue damage
Authors: Chiriac MT , Roesler J , Sindrilaru A , Scharffetter‐Kochanek K , Zillikens D , Sitaru C 
Published: March 2007

AbstractThe contribution of phagocyte‐derived reactive oxygen species to tissue injury in autoimmune inflammatory diseases is unclear. Here we report that granulocyte nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase crucially contributes to tissue injury in experimental models of the antibody‐mediated autoimmune disease epidermolysis bullosa acquisita. Neutrophil cytosolic factor 1‐deficient mice lacking functional NADPH oxidase were resistant to skin blistering by the passive transfer of antibodies against type VII collagen. Pharmacological inhibition or deficiency of human NADPH oxidase abolished dermal‐epidermal separation caused by autoantibodies and granulocytes ex vivo. In addition, recruitment of granulocytes into the skin was required for tissue injury, as demonstrated by the resistance to experimental blistering of wild‐type mice depleted of neutrophils and of CD18‐deficient mice. Transfer of neutrophil cytosolic factor 1‐sufficient granulocytes into neutrophil cytosolic factor 1‐deficient mice demonstrated that granulocytes provide the NADPH oxidase required for tissue damage. Our findings identify granulocyte‐derived NADPH oxidase as a key molecular effector engaged by pathogenic autoantibodies and provide relevant targets for prevention of tissue damage in granulocyte‐mediated autoimmune diseases. Copyright © 2007 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A simple method for determining sol—gel transition temperatures in weak polymer jellies
Authors: Harrison M. A. , Morgan P. H. , Park G. S. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractA simple method for determining sol‐gel transition temperatures in mechanically weak thermoreversible gels has been developed. Only 0–3 ml of gel is required and gels with a rigidity modulus as low as 100 dyne cm−2 can be used.
Infra‐red spectra of polyvinyl acetate and poly‐α, α', β‐trideuterovinyl acetate
Authors: Haken J. K. , Werner R. L. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractThe infra‐red spectrum of polyvinyl acetate has been studied from 4000 to 150 cm‐1 and a detailed assignment made. To assist with the assignments the partially deuterated polymer, poly‐α, α, β‐trideuterovinyl acetate, and a branched‐chain acetate have been synthesised and their spectra examined.
Polyborazylene oxides
Authors: Atkinson I. B. , Clapp D. B. , Currell B. R. , Flavell W. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractThe reactions of various B‐dichloro‐N‐triarylborazines with boiling N,N‐dimethylformamide (DMF), and DMF in the presence of dimethylamine have been shown to give condensation polymers of the polyborazylene oxide type. The degrees of polymerisation range in individual cases from about 2–25. The presence of one ortho substituent in the N‐aryl group causes the molecular weight to fall sharply, and polymerisation is completely inhibited in the presence of two ortho substituents. Reactions of several N‐triarylborazines with boiling DMF also gave polyborazylene oxide‐type polymers together with trimethylamine. The infra‐red spectra, and thermal and hydrolytic stability of the polymers have been investigated.
Molecular probe studies of crystallinity in polyethylene
Authors: Stein A. N. , Gray D. G. , Guillet J. E. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractThe molecular probe technique uses a standard gas chromatograph modified to obtain a printed digital record of retention time vs. column temperature to be obtained automatically. From this the observed specific retention time, Vg, can be calculated. If Vg is the theoretical value it can be deduced that: % Crystallinity = [1 − Vg/Vg′ ] × 100. Experimental results using Tenite 800 and Tenite 3310 polyethylene produced and sold by Eastman Chemical Products Inc., Kingsport, Tennessee, U.S.A. justify this equation.
Formation of polymer crystals during polymerisation
Authors: Iguchi M. , Kanetsuna H. , Kawai T. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractThe structures of the polymers obtained in various types of heterogeneous polymerisations have been studied together with the polymerisation kinetics. Examples of these are: fibres of polymethylene and polyethylene; nylon spherulites produced in the polymerisation of lactams; and extended chain crystals of polyoxyethylene. Solid‐state polymerisation is briefly discussed.
Supportive‐expressive group therapy for women with metastatic breast cancer: survival and psychosocial outcome from a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Kissane David W. , Grabsch Brenda , Clarke David M. , Smith Graeme C. , Love Anthony W. , Bloch Sidney , Snyder Raymond D. , Li Yuelin 
Published: March 2007

AbstractBackground: Mixed reports exist about the impact of supportive‐expressive group therapy (SEGT) on survival.Methods: From 485 women with advanced breast cancer recruited between 1996–2002, 227 (47%) consented and were randomized within an average 10 months of cancer recurrence in a 2:1 ratio to intervention with 1 year or more of weekly SEGT plus three classes of relaxation therapy (147 women) or to control receiving three classes of relaxation therapy (80 women). The primary outcome was survival; psychosocial well‐being was appraised secondarily. Analysis was by intention‐to‐treat.Results: SEGT did not prolong survival (median survival 24.0 months in SEGT and 18.3 in controls; univariate hazard ratio for death 0.92 [95% CI, 0.69–1.26]; multivariate hazard ratio, 1.06 [95% CI, 0.74–1.51]). Significant predictors of survival were treatment with chemotherapy and hormone therapy (p<0.001), visceral metastases (p<0.001) and advanced disease at first diagnosis (p<0.05). SEGT ameliorated and prevented new DSM‐IV depressive disorders (p = 0.002), reduced hopeless–helplessness (p = 0.004), trauma symptoms (p = 0.04) and improved social functioning (p = 0.03).Conclusions: SEGT did not prolong survival. It improved quality of life, including treatment of and protection against depression. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Decision‐related uncertainties perceived by people with cancer—modelling the subject of shared decision making
Authors: Kasper Jürgen , Geiger Friedemann , Freiberger Saskia , Schmidt Angelika 
Published: March 2007

AbstractAim was to survey distinctive qualities of decision‐related uncertainty in cancer. Assessment of differential perception of uncertainties is a prerequisite for the study of cognitive coping as mediated by risk communication.A theory building process was initiated. Using in‐depth interviews with cancer patients subjective representations of uncertainty associated with medical decisions were explored. Grounded theory techniques were applied to extract categories out of the interview material.The qualitative process led to an eight‐dimensional model. Five raters achieved a Fleiss agreement coefficient of 0.61 attributing raw material from interviews to the categories. Patients expressed uncertainties concerning (1) disease‐related issues (prognosis/diagnosis, treatment), (2) risk communication issues (deciphering information, role in the medical dyad, physician's trustability) and (3) aspects of coping with life considering the disease (mastering requirements, social integration, causal attribution).We found support for a multidimensional model of uncertainty. This approach can be helpful in the investigation of further issues concerning communication and coping with uncertainty related to medical decisions in cancer and other diseases. It sharpens shared decision making theoretically and thereby provides the basis for a measurement concept. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.