bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Norwegian Institute of Public Health Twin Program of Research: An Update
Authors: Harris Jennifer R. , Magnus Per , Tambs Kristian 
Published: March 2007

AbstractThe population-based twin program of research at the Norwegian Institute of Public Health (NIPH) was begun in 1992. It consists of a number of questionnaire and clinical interview projects exploring a broad array of mental and physical health outcomes. This article provides a brief update summarizing our research activities, some research highlights, new developments and potentials for further developing the program of twin research. In the most recent years a large effort has concentrated on completing a mental health interview study of Axis I psychiatric and substance use disorders and Axis II personality disorders. Although still in the early planning phases, one of the most significant developments is that an agreement is now in place to centralize the Norwegian twin data into a national Norwegian Twin Registry. This new registry will include twin cohorts born from 1905 onwards. Other resources for building twin projects are described. Nationally, there is great potential for linking the NIPH twin data with other health registries and with information in a number of Norway's large population-based biobank studies. Internationally, platforms such as those developed within GenomEUtwin, for data standards and data sharing and access are greatly facilitating international collaborations in twin research.
An Initiative in Spain for the Study of Women's Health: The Murcia Twin Registry
Authors: Ordoñana Juan R. , Pérez-Riquelme Francisco , González-Javier Francisca , Carrillo Eduvigis , Gómez-Amor Jesús , Martínez-Selva José M. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractThe present article describes the initial steps taken in setting up a twin registry in Spain. The Murcia Twin Registry (MTR) will focus initially on perimenopausal women's health. It will be administered and managed by the University of Murcia and the Murcia Health Council and will start with a database of 452 pairs of female twins born between 1940 and 1965 in the region of Murcia, Spain. Once the MTR is established and has gained some experience, our goal is to expand the age range and include males and opposite-sex twins. The current main areas of research interest are menopause, preventive behaviors, lifestyle and health as well as quality of life.
The Swedish Twin Registry in the Third Millennium: An Update
Authors: Lichtenstein Paul , Sullivan Patrick F. , Cnattingius Sven , Gatz Margaret , Johansson Sofie , Carlström Eva , Björk Camilla , Svartengren Magnus , Wolk Alicja , Klareskog Lars , Faire Ulf de , Schalling Martin , Palmgren Juni , Pedersen Nancy L. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractThe Swedish Twin Registry was first established in the late 1950s. Today it includes more than 170,000 twins — in principle all twins born in Sweden since 1886. In this article we describe some ongoing and recently completed projects based on the registry. In particular, we describe recent efforts to screen all twins born between 1959 and 1985, and young twin pairs when they turn 9 and 12 years of age. For these studies, we present initial frequencies of common conditions and exposures.
The UK Adult Twin Registry (TwinsUK)
Authors: Spector Tim D. , Williams Frances M. K. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractThe UK Adult Twin Registry was started in 1993 and consists of approximately 10,000 monozygotic (MZ) and dizygotic (DZ) adult Caucasian twins aged 16 to 85 years from all over the United Kingdom, plus some parents and siblings. It now incorporates previous twin registries from the Institute of Psychiatry and Aberdeen University. This is a volunteer sample recruited by successive media campaigns without selecting for particular diseases or traits. All twins receive a series of detailed disease and environmental questionnaires. The majority of twins have been assessed in detail clinically at several time points for several hundred phenotypes related to common diseases or intermediate traits. The focus to date has been primarily in 5 areas — cardiovascular, metabolic, musculoskeletal, ophthalmologic diseases as well as the aging process. Over 3000 DZ twins have had a 10cM genome-wide scan performed and 5000 twins tagged for over 200 candidate genes allowing both linkage and association studies. The resource has led to many successful and innovative research projects particularly in common age-related diseases, and has led to collaborations with over 80 groups worldwide.
The North of England Multiple Pregnancy Register: Five-Year Results of Data Collection
Authors: Platt Martin P. Ward , Glinianaia Svetlana V. , Rankin Judith , Wright Chris , Renwick Marjorie ,   Northern Region Multiple Pregnancy Register Steering Group
Published: March 2007

AbstractFrom 1998 the population-based North of England Multiple Pregnancy Register (MPR) has collected data on all multiple pregnancies in the region from the earliest point of ascertainment in the pregnancy. This article describes the development of the MPR and the findings of the first 5 years of data collection. Mothers now give explicit consent for their inclusion with named data, in accordance with section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2001. During 1998 to 2002, 2310 twin pregnancies were registered, with an increasing twinning rate of 13.6 to 16.6 per 1000 maternities. Chorionicity ascertainment in twin maternities with at least one stillbirth or live birth has improved from 81% in 1998 to 91% in 2002. Before 24 weeks of gestation, 8.4% (359/4620) of fetuses were lost either spontaneously or as a result of termination of pregnancy. The perinatal mortality rate was much higher in monochorionic than dichorionic twins, mainly due to differences in stillbirth rates (49.0 vs. 11.5 per 1000 maternities respectively, risk rate = 4.2; 95% confidence intervals 2.7–6.6). The gestational-age-specific neonatal mortality rates were similar in twins and singletons, except in the group of term births (≥37 weeks' gestation) when compared by conventional gestational age categories. For stillbirths, the rates were even lower than in singletons in gestational age categories of less than 32 weeks. The register is an important resource of data on multiple pregnancies, which allows monitoring of trends in multiple birth rates and pregnancy losses and provides a unique opportunity for etiological and long-term follow-up studies.
The Feasibility of Creating a Population-Based National Twin Registry in the United States
Authors: Chulada Patricia C. , Corey Linda A. , Vannappagari Vani , Whitehead Nedra S. , Blackshear Perry J. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractBetween 4 to 6 million twins exist in the US today who offer scientists a valuable potential resource for conducting behavioral and biomedical research. However, unlike many other countries, there is no national system in the US for identifying twins and eliciting their participation in these important research programs. Therefore, the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) is conducting a study to determine the feasibility of creating a national, population-based twin registry in the US. The major goal is to estimate the potential size and characteristics of a national twin registry based on the current twin population in the US, our ability to ascertain and enrol them, and their willingness to participate. Existing US twin cohorts are also being examined in this study as well as alternatives for improving US twin resources should a national twin registry be deemed infeasible. The various options will be compared in terms of possible source populations, generalizability and adequacy for statistically powering various types of etiological studies. Two expert advisory panels have been assembled to assist in the conduct of this study. The Scientific Advisory Panel is charged with providing expertise concerning study goals, design and methodology, and evaluating the study's conclusion. A separate Ethics Advisory Panel is charged with providing expertise on the ethical, legal, and social issues that might be encountered if a national twin registry is ultimately pursued. Having a national population-based twin registry in the US would be advantageous to US scientists and those worldwide. It would provide ample numbers of twin pairs to conduct various types of environmental genomic studies currently not possible with existing US twin resources. It would also allow US scientists to select for characteristics (race, ethnicity, environments, and so on) inherent in our own population. Finally and foremost, it would help to meet the worldwide demand for twin resources which is expected to increase over time, as new genomic and analytical tools become available and new hypotheses emerge concerning the complex interplay between genes, lifestyles and environment.
The Florida State Twin Registry: Research Aims and Design
Authors: Taylor Jeanette E. , James Lisa M. , Reeves Mark D. , Bobadilla Leonardo 
Published: March 2007

AbstractRelatively little is known about the relationship of most personality disorders to executive cognitive functioning despite their associations with frontal cortex activity. Research on genetic influence is lacking for most personality disorders, and research on genetic influences associated with executive cognitive functioning is sparse and mixed. The Florida State Twin Registry was created to conduct a pilot twin study aimed at examining genetic influence on personality disorders and executive cognitive functioning. Measures included structured clinical interviews for symptoms and diagnoses of personality disorders (borderline, histrionic, narcissistic, antisocial, obsessive–compulsive, avoidant, and dependent), depression, substance abuse/dependence, anxiety disorders, and eating disorders. The Wisconsin Card Sorting Test and the Stroop Color-Word Test were administered to assess executive cognitive functioning. Self-report questionnaires were included to assess maladaptive personality traits. Data sharing and future directions for growing the Florida State Twin Registry are discussed.
Fullerton Virtual Twin Study
Authors: Segal Nancy L. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractVirtual twins (VTs; same-age unrelated siblings reared together from early infancy) have been studied at California State University (CSU), Fullerton since 1991. The current sample includes over 130 pairs. Past and current research have research have focused on siblings' similarities and differences in general intelligence and body size. Future research in these areas will continue as new pairs continue to be identified. These studies will be supplemented by analyses of personality, social relations and adjustment using monozygotic (MZ) twins, dizygotic (DZ) twins, full siblings and friends, as well as new VTs, who have participated in Twins, Adoptees, Peers and Siblings (TAPS), a collaborative project conducted between CSU Fullerton and the University of San Francisco, from 2002 to 2006.
The Michigan State University Twin Registry (MSUTR): Genetic, Environmental and Neurobiological Influences on Behavior Across Development
Authors: Klump Kelly L. , Burt S. Alexandra 
Published: March 2007

AbstractThe primary aim of the Michigan State University Twin Registry (MSUTR) is to examine developmental differences in genetic, environmental, and neurobiological influences on internalizing and externalizing symptoms, with disordered eating and antisocial behavior representing particular areas of interest. Twin participants span several developmental stages (i.e., childhood, adolescence, and young adulthood). Assessments include comprehensive, multiinformant measures of psychiatric and behavioral phenotypes, buccal swab and salivary DNA samples, assays of adolescent and adult steroid hormone levels (e.g., estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, cortisol), and videotaped parent–child interactions of child and adolescent twin families. To date, we have collected data on over 1000 twins, with additional data collections underway. This article provides an overview of the newly developed MSUTR and describes current and future research directions.
The National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health) Twin Data
Authors: Harris Kathleen Mullan , Halpern Carolyn Tucker , Smolen Andrew , Haberstick Brett C. 
Published: March 2007

AbstractThis article describes the design and data availability for samples of genetic pairs in the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health). Add Health provides unique samples of genetic pairs that are nationally representative and followed longitudinally from early adolescence into young adulthood with 3 in-home interviews and a 4th interview planned for 2007 to 2008. The design of Add Health included an embedded genetic sample of more than 3000 pairs of individuals with varying genetic resemblance, including monozygotic twins, dizygotic twins, full siblings, half siblings, and unrelated siblings who were raised in the same household. Add Health has collected rich longitudinal social, behavioral, and environmental survey data, as well as buccal cell DNA from a subsample of the genetic sample (N = 2612). Add Health has an enlightened dissemination policy and to date has released phenotype and genotype data to more than 3000 researchers in the scientific community.
Touching light: A new framework for immersion in artistic environments
Authors: Seo Jinsil , Gromala Diane 
Published: March 2007

The idea of immersion research has been explored in various disciplines: Virtual Reality, Interactive Storytelling, Art, etc. However, most researchers focus on constraints of the hardware and software, and are less focused on the conceptual and philosophical implications of immersion
and presence.
This paper aims to define a certain quality of immersion that has emerged from artisticresearch experiences. Overall, immersion is an integrated conscious state where mind, body and environment are well interrelated and interweaved.
Within the concept of immersion, we explore
four categories: ambient immersive natural space, body interaction, new consciousness and flow of energy. Finally, the paper presents examples of our artresearch work and offers detailed explorations on the quality of immersion.
Characterization of thin water layers in pulp by tritium exchange. Part 1: Methods development
Authors: Walsh Frances L. , Banerjee Sujit 
Published: March 2007

AbstractA new technique for measuring the monolayer water content of fiber is presented. Tritiated water is added to a pulp/water suspension, whereupon the tritium partitions between the bulk water and the pulp. In the pulp phase the tritium can exchange with free water, bound water, and with hydroxyl and other protons present in the pulp matrix. The free water in the pulp is then removed by displacement with acetone. The tritium remaining in the pulp is mostly associated with tightly bound water, with a small fraction being tied up with the exchangeable hydrogen in pulp. The procedure provides a value of 10% for the tightly bound water content of hardwood or softwood fiber, either bleached or unbleached. If this water is assumed to cover the fiber surface as a monolayer, then an estimate of the wet surface area of the fiber can be obtained. This estimate compares well with independent measurements of surface area.
Changes in the cell wall volume of a number of wood species due to reaction with acetic anhydride
Authors: Kwon Jin H. , Hill Callum A.S. , Ormondroyd Graham A. , Karim Siti 
Published: March 2007

Abstract
A number of softwoods and hardwoods (beech, rubberwood, Corsican pine, Korean pine) were reacted with acetic anhydride to a variety of weight percentage gain (WPG) values and the volume change due to reaction was determined both by measurement of the external dimensions and by helium pycnometry. The volume change due to modification determined by helium pycnometry was found to be equal to that calculated, except for Corsican pine. The volume change as determined by the external dimensions was not a reliable method for determining cell-wall volume changes. The molar volume of the acetyl group in the cell wall was calculated over a range of WPG values, with volumes ranging from approximately 32 to 42 cm3 mol-1, depending on the wood species studied. The differences in acetyl molar volume observed between most wood species were significant.
A novel simple route to wood acetylation by transesterification with vinyl acetate
Authors: Jebrane Mohamed , Sèbe Gilles 
Published: March 2007

Abstract
A novel method for the acetylation of wood was investigated and compared with the classical method based on acetic anhydride. The transesterification reaction between vinyl acetate (VA) and hydroxyl groups of maritime pine sapwood (Pinus pinaster Soland) was performed in the presence of potassium carbonate as a catalyst and led to acetylated wood in high yield. The transesterification reaction was confirmed by FTIR and 13C CP-MAS NMR spectroscopy. The efficiency of the VA transesterification increased with increasing temperature, reaction time, and catalyst amount, but a significant weight percentage gain (WPG) was obtained after only 3 h at 90°C.
Formation and properties of nanocomposites made up from solid aspen wood, melamine-urea-formaldehyde, and clay
Authors: Cai Xiaolin , Riedl Bernard , Zhang S.Y. , Wan Hui 
Published: March 2007

Abstract
Wood polymer nanocomposites were prepared from solid aspen wood, water-soluble melamine-urea-formaldehyde (MUF) resin, and silicate nanoclays. The nanofillers were ground with a ball-mill before being mixed with the MUF resin and impregnated into the wood. The water-soluble prepolymer was mixed with the nanoclays at a mixing speed of 3050 rpm for 20 min to form impregnation solutions. Wood was impregnated with resin, which polymerized in situ under certain conditions. The physical and mechanical properties of the composite and the effect of ball-milling treatment of nanofillers on these properties were investigated. Significant improvements in physical and mechanical properties, such as density, surface hardness, and modulus of elasticity, were obtained for specimens impregnated with MUF resin and nanoclay-MUF resin mixtures. Ball-mill treatment favors dispersion of the nanofillers into the wood, but also appears to interfere with particle-resin adhesion.
Screening fungi tolerant to Western red cedar (Thuja plicata Donn) extractives. Part 1. Mild extraction by ultrasonication and quantification of extractives by reverse-phase HPLC
Authors: Chedgy Russell J. , Daniels C.R. , Kadla John , Breuil Colette 
Published: March 2007

Abstract
Western red cedar (Thuja plicata Donn) heartwood samples were extracted in methanol. Reverse-phase HPLC with UV detection was used for extractive separation and analysis. Six major extractives were quantified by comparing analyte response with the response factor of an internal standard using single-point calibration. The limit of detection of the method was estimated as (μg ml-1): (–)-plicatic acid, 0.6; γ-thujaplicin, 3.0; β-thujaplicin, 3.0; β-thujaplicinol, 3.0; thujic acid, 0.6; and methyl thujate, 1.2. Yields were 36% higher for powdered than for sliced samples. A temperature of 4°C during ultrasonication yielded 16% more (–)-plicatic acid than in non-cooled extractions, but did not significantly increase yields for the remaining five compounds. The recovery and repeatability of the extraction method were assessed by adding the aromatic compounds methoxyhydroquinone and 2-acetonaphthone to heartwood samples before extraction. The recovery yield was ∼90% with ∼5% variability.
Tissue Transglutaminase Is Essential for Integrin-Mediated Survival of Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Authors: Song Heesang , Chang Woochul , Lim Soyeon , Seo Hye-Sun , Shim Chi Young , Park Sungha , Yoo Kyung-Jong , Kim Byung-Soo , Min Byoung-Hyun , Lee Hakbae , Jang Yangsoo , Chung Namsik , Hwang Ki-Chul 
Published: March 2007

AbstractAutologous mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) transplantation therapy for repair of myocardial injury has inherent limitations due to the poor viability of the stem cells after cell transplantation. Adhesion is a prerequisite for cell survival and also a key factor for the differentiation of MSCs. As a novel prosurvival modification strategy, we genetically engineered MSCs to overexpress tissue transglutaminase (tTG), with intention to enhance adhesion and ultimately cell survival after implantation. tTG-transfected MSCs (tTG-MSCs) showed a 2.7-fold and greater than a twofold increase of tTG expression and surface tTG activity, respectively, leading to a 20% increased adhesion of MSCs on fibronectin (Fn). Spreading and migration of tTG-MSCs were increased 4.75% and 2.52%, respectively. Adhesion of tTG-MSCs on cardiogel, a cardiac fibroblast-derived three-dimensional matrix, showed a 33.1% increase. Downregulation of tTG by transfection of small interfering RNA specific to the tTG resulted in markedly decreased adhesion and spread of MSCs on Fn or cardiogel. tTG-MSCs on Fn significantly increased phosphorylation of focal adhesion related kinases FAK, Src, and PI3K. tTG-MSCs showed significant retention in infarcted myocardium by forming a focal adhesion complex and developed into cardiac myocyte-like cells by the expression of cardiac-specific proteins. Transplantation of 1 × 106 MSCs transduced with tTG into the ischemic rat myocardium restored normalized systolic and diastolic cardiac function. tTG-MSCs further restored cardiac function of infarcted myocardium as compared with MSC transplantation alone. These findings suggested that tTG may play an important role in integrin-mediated adhesion of MSCs in implanted tissues.Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest is found at the end of this article.
Induction of Senile Osteoporosis in Normal Mice by Intra-Bone Marrow-Bone Marrow Transplantation from Osteoporosis-Prone Mice
Authors: Ueda Yusuke , Inaba Muneo , Takada Keizo , Fukui Junichi , Sakaguchi Yutaku , Tsuda Masanobu , Omae Mariko , Kushida Taketoshi , Iida Hirokazu , Ikehara Susumu 
Published: March 2007

AbstractA P6 substrain of the senescence accelerated mouse (SAMP6) spontaneously develops osteoporosis early in life. These mice show the clinical signs of osteoporosis, such as elevated levels of urinary deoxypyridinoline (Dpd), decreased bone mineral density (BMD), and a significant loss of trabecular and cortical bone thickness at 12 months of age. Here, we describe the transfer of osteoporosis to a normal strain by the injection of bone marrow cells from SAMP6 donors directly into the bone marrow cavity (intra-bone marrow-bone marrow transplantation [IBM-BMT]). More than 1 month after IBM-BMT, hematolymphoid cells were completely reconstituted by donor-derived cells, and bone marrow stromal cells that could differentiate into osteocytes were also found to be of donor origin. In addition, the recipient C57BL/6 mouse showed the features of osteoporosis in the trabecular bone. Decreases in BMD and increases in urinary Dpd were also observed. When the message levels of cytokines (interleukin [IL]-11, IL-6, receptor activator of NF-κB ligand [RANKL], osteoprotegerin, macrophage–colony-stimulating factor, and insulin-like growth factor-1) were examined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and real-time RT-PCR analysis, IL-6 and IL-11 were reduced to a level similar to that in SAMP6 mice, whereas that of RANKL was increased. These findings indicate that not only the hemopoietic system but also the bone marrow microenvironment are reconstituted as a result of IBM-BMT, and suggest that the development of senile osteoporosis might be attributable to “stem cell disorders.”Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest is found at the end of this article.