bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The association of use of sunbeds with cutaneous malignant melanoma and other skin cancers: A systematic review
Authors:   The International Agency for Research on Cancer Working Group on artificial ultraviolet (UV) light and skin cancer
Published: November 2006

AbstractExposure to solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation is a known cause of skin cancer. Sunbed use represents an increasingly frequent source of artificial UV exposure in light‐skinned populations. To assess the available evidence of the association between sunbed use and cutaneous malignant melanoma (melanoma) and other skin cancers, a systematic review of the literature till March 2006 on epidemiological and biological studies on sunbed use was performed in Pubmed, ISI Web of Science, Embase, Pascal, Cochrane library, Lilacs and Medcarib. Search for keywords in the title and in the abstract was done systematically and supplemented by manual searches. Only case–control, cohort or cross‐sectional studies were selected. Data were abstracted by means of a standardized data‐collection protocol. Based on 19 informative studies, ever‐use of sunbeds was positively associated with melanoma (summary relative risk, 1.15; 95% CI, 1.00–1.31), although there was no consistent evidence of a dose–response relationship. First exposure to sunbeds before 35 years of age significantly increased the risk of melanoma, based on 7 informative studies (summary relative risk, 1.75; 95% CI, 1.35–2.26). The summary relative risk of 3 studies of squamous cell carcinoma showed an increased risk. For basal cell carcinoma, the studies did not support an association. The evidence does not support a protective effect of the use of sunbeds against damage to the skin from subsequent sun exposure. Young adults should be discouraged from using indoor tanning equipment and restricted access to sunbeds by minors should be strongly considered. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The Engel curve for alcohol and the rank of demand systems
Authors: Unayama Takashi 
Published: November 2006

AbstractThis paper shows that the quadratic shape of the Engel curve for alcohol is induced by preference heterogeneity between drinkers and abstainers in a Japanese data set. With controlling the heterogeneity, it is shown that the Engel curve for alcohol slopes monotonically downwards for drinkers, and that the probability of being a drinker is an increasing function of total expenditure. These two relationships generate a quadratic shape for the Engel curve for alcohol. Other goods in this data set appear to have nearly linear Engel curves, so if the alcohol Engel curve for drinkers is also linear, then after controlling for this preference heterogeneity the rank of this demand system would be two. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Convergence of productivity: a comment
Authors: Wang Zijun 
Published: November 2006

AbstractWe find that an important programming error was made by Hobijn and Franses (2000) in conducting multivariate stationarity tests. The empirical results in their paper are subject to errors. Other studies that have used the coded algorithm of Hobijn and Franses are likely to suffer the same problem. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Plasma‐controlled nanocrystallinity and phase composition of TiO2: A smart way to enhance biomimetic response
Authors: Zhou Wei , Zhong Xiaoxia , Wu Xiaochen , Yuan Luqi , Shu Qiwei , Xia Yuxing , Ostrikov Kostya (Ken) 
Published: November 2006

AbstractThis contribution sheds light on the role of crystal size and phase composition in inducing biomimetic apatite growth on the surface of nanostructured titania films synthesized by reactive magnetron sputtering of Ti targets in Ar+O2 plasmas. Unlike most existing techniques, this method enables one to deposit highly crystalline titania films with a wide range of phase composition and nanocrystal size, without any substrate heating or postannealing. Moreover, by using this dry plasma‐based method one can avoid surface hydroxylation at the deposition stage, almost inevitable in wet chemical processes. Results of this work show that high phase purity and optimum crystal size appear to be the essential requirement for efficient apatite formation on magnetron plasma‐fabricated bioactive titania coatings. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2007
Mechanical stimulation induces morphological and phenotypic changes in bone marrow‐derived progenitor cells within a three‐dimensional fibrin matrix
Authors: Nieponice Alejandro , Maul Timothy M. , Cumer Joy M. , Soletti Lorenzo , Vorp David A. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractOne of the major limitations in tissue engineering is cell sourcing. Multipotent progenitor cells appear to have many promising features for that purpose. Mechanical stimulation is known to play an important role in determining cell phenotype. The aim of this work was to investigate the effects of cyclic stretch on rat bone marrow derived progenitor cell (BMPC) morphology and smooth muscle‐directed differentiation within a three‐dimensional fibrin matrix. BMPCs were suspended in a fibrin gel, pipetted into the trough of Flexcell™ Tissue‐Train™ plates, and stimulated with 10% longitudinal cyclic stretch at 1 Hz for 6 days. Unconstrained (stress‐ and strain‐free) and static anchored (constrained but not stretched) samples were used as controls. Stress filament area per cell was increased in the stretched samples compared to static anchored and free‐float controls. Cells in the free float controls were randomly aligned, while they aligned parallel to the direction of the stress or strain in the other groups. Immunofluorescence suggested an increased expression of smooth muscle markers (smooth muscle α actin and h1‐calponin) in both stretched and constrained control samples, but not in unconstrained controls. Qualitative assessment suggested that collagen production was increased in both mechanically stimulated samples. Proliferation was inhibited in stretched samples compared to the constrained controls. This work suggests an ability of rat BMPCs to differentiate toward a smooth‐muscle‐cell‐like lineage when exposed to biomechanical stimulation in a three‐dimensional model. The observation that the constrained samples induced changes in BMPCs suggests that stress alone may be stimulatory, but addition of cyclic stretch appears to augment the responses. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2007
Influence of gradual introduction of hydrophobic groups (stearic acid) in denatured atelocollagen on fibroblasts behavior in vitro
Authors: Forest P.O. , Karoum R. , Gagnieu C.H. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractTo prepare new biocompatible hydrophobic collagen films for medical devices, innovative collagen derivatives were synthesized by reaction of the lysyl amino groups of the α‐chains with activated stearic acid. Different collagens having different substitution degrees were obtained and used to prepare films crosslinked with oxidized glycogen. Their physicochemical surface properties were evaluated, and in vitro assays were performed to analyze the behavior of fibroblasts in contact with the materials. The assays were performed with cells in adhesion and growth phases. The hydrophobic properties increased with the number of stearic acid introduced in the collagen but only in the range of 1–12 stearic acids per molecule. For higher modifications a decrease of hydrophoby was observed. All the films induced a decrease of cells growth and adhesion but without cytotoxicity. These effects were more pronounced for the collagen containing about eight stearic acid residues. Cells behavior on modified collagens films seems to be related to the chemical groups exposed on the surface of the films. Indeed, the surface chemistry directly influences the adsorption of adhesion proteins and modulates their conformation therefore modifying the cell adhesion. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2007
Promoting systems change in the health care response to domestic violence
Authors: Allen Nicole E. , Lehrner Amy , Mattison Erica , Miles Teresa , Russell Angela 
Published: November 2006

AbstractCommunity psychologists have a long‐standing interest in promoting systems change to improve the lives of individuals and communities. To more fully illuminate a multilevel model of those factors involved in the promotion of systems change, the current study examined individual‐ and organizational‐level characteristics related to health care providers' implementation of a desired reform in the community response to intimate partner violence, namely, universal screening practices. Efforts to reform the health care system's response to domestic violence prove to be difficult. The current study surveyed 209 providers across 12 health care settings to examine those factors related to reform implementation. Findings indicate that individual characteristics (perceived capacity to screen and positive beliefs about screening) and the presence of an organizational climate for implementation (e.g., consequences for implementation or failure to implement, resources to support implementation, policies and procedures consistent with desired practices) affect the extent to which health care providers engage in routine screening practices. The implications of these findings for promoting systems change, in general, and the health care system's response to domestic violence, in particular, are discussed. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Development of the terminally differentiated state sensitizes epiphyseal chondrocytes to apoptosis through caspase‐3 activation
Authors: Pucci Bruna , Adams Christopher S. , Fertala Jolanta , Snyder Bradley C. , Mansfield Kyle D. , Tafani Marco , Freeman Theresa , Shapiro Irving M. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractThe maturation of epiphyseal chondrocytes is accompanied by dramatic changes in energy metabolism and shifts in proteins concerned with the induction of apoptosis. We evaluated the role of mitochondria in this process by evaluating the membrane potential (Δψm) of chondrocytes of embryonic tibia and the epiphyseal growth plate. We observed that there was a maturation‐dependent change in fluorescence, indicating a fall in the Δψm. The level of mitochondrial Bcl‐2 was decreased during maturation, while in the same time period there was an obvious increase in Bax levels in the mitochondrial fraction of the terminally differentiated chondrocytes. BclxL, another anti‐apoptotic protein, was also robustly expressed in the mitochondrial fraction, but its expression was not dependent on the maturation status of the chondrocytes. We found that caspase‐3 was present throughout the growth plate and in hypertrophic cells in culture. We blocked caspase‐3 activity and found that alkaline phosphatase staining and mineral formation was decreased, and the cells had lost their characteristic shape. Moreover, we noted that the undifferentiated cells were insensitive to elevated concentrations of inorganic phosphate (Pi). It is concluded that during hypertrophy, the change in membrane potential, the increased binding of a pro‐apoptotic protein to mitochondria, and the activation of caspase‐3 serve to prime cells for apoptosis. Only when the terminally differentiated chondrocytes are challenged with low levels of apoptogens there is activation of apoptosis. J. Cell. Physiol. 210: 609–615, 2007. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Prevention of hyperthermia with silk of the oriental hornet, Vespa orientalis: A hypothesis
Authors: Plotkin Marian , Ermakov Natalya Y. , Volynchik Stanislav , Bergman David J. , Ishay Jacob S. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractWasps apparently develop normally even under extreme thermal conditions, including deserts. We deemed it worthwhile to set up an experiment wherein wasp brood combs containing a full gamut of brood ranging from eggs up to pupae and a few adults were kept in an incubator whose temperature was gradually raised to 45°C, and the response of the disparate brood to such warming was photographed via Infra Red camera. The finding of this experiment showed that for open brood (i.e., eggs, larvae at various instars, and empty cells) the temperature was close to the ambient temperature, but in the silk coated pupae, the temperature was lower than the ambient by up to 4°C. This lower temperature was retained for at least 90 min of incubation. For comparison we evaluated the relative contribution of the pupae to the phenomenon, by warming also a vacant, (i.e., a broodless and silkless comb) in parallel to a comb from which the pupae had been extricated but the silk weave retained and left behind. We found that the totally empty comb heated up under these conditions to nearly 110°C, whereas the silk‐containing vacant cells only heated up to about 40°C. These finding are discussed from two aspects, namely the importance for wasps to maintain a constant temperature throughout the pupating process, and the manner in which the silk weave contributes to such a goal. Microsc. Res. Tech., 2007. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Design of microwave structures with MEFISTO‐3DNOVAand MATLABoptimization and neural network toolboxes
Authors: Chu Hong‐Son , So Poman P. M. , Hoefer Wolfgang J. R. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractThis paper introduces two time‐domain field‐based optimization procedures for microwave engineering. The methods are built on the foundations of MATLAB's optimization and neural network toolboxes. The first procedure makes use of a direct connection linking MATLAB's optimization toolbox with MEFISTO‐3DNOVA. In this approach the field simulator acts as an objective function server for the optimization toolbox; these two programs work cooperatively with each other to tune the structure parameters to obtain a target response. The second procedure is an indirect optimization approach that makes use of MATLAB's neural network toolbox in conjunction with MEFISTO‐3DNOVAto create a neural network model to emulate the structure of interest; the resulting neural network model is then used an objective function server in a normal MATLABoptimization process. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Semi‐analytical time‐domain low‐frequency scattering formulation for biological applications
Authors: Koh Il‐Suek , Kim Woo‐Tae , Yook Jong‐Gwan , Park Jae‐Chon 
Published: November 2006

AbstractIn this paper, an efficient time domain formulation is proposed for a low‐frequency scattering by a complicated inhomogeneous dielectric scatterer. The formulation is based on the Born approximation and a sampling theorem. To extend the valid region of the proposed solution, the Rayleigh scattering formulation for a small dielectric object is used to modify the Born current inside the scatterer. In order to verify the obtained formulation, scatterings by several canonical objects such as a cubic box and a sphere are compared, which are calculated by the proposed formulation and the known exact or approximate solutions of a Mie series and the Rayleigh scattering. In addition, scattering by a human head is investigated at a very low‐frequency band (< 100 Hz). For the simulation, two excitations are considered: plane wave incidence from outside the head and an artificial point source located inside the head. The head model is discretized by a 3 × 3 × 3 mm3 cubic box, which is comprised of eight types of tissue. These are blood, bone, fat, grey matter, white matter, muscle, skin and vitreous humor. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Upregulation of intracellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)‐1 and vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)‐1 after unilateral nerve injury in the peripheral taste system
Authors: Cavallin Melissa Ann , McCluskey Lynnette Phillips 
Published: November 2006

AbstractIn the peripheral taste system, activated macrophages are recruited to both sides of the tongue after unilateral sectioning of the chorda tympani nerve (CT). Neural degeneration elicits macrophage entry in other systems by upregulating vascular adhesion molecules. We hypothesized that CT sectioning leads to a bilateral increase in intracellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)‐1 and vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)‐1 expression on lingual vessels. To test this hypothesis, rats were euthanized at time points from 6 hr to 7 days post‐sectioning. Frozen sections of tongue were processed for immunohistochemical staining for ICAM‐1 and VCAM‐1. Tongue homogenates from additional rats were analyzed with ELISA. ICAM‐1 expression increases first on the denervated side of the tongue at 24 hr post‐section and then on the uninjured side at 48 hr post‐section. ICAM‐1 remains elevated through Day 7 post‐sectioning on both sides of the tongue. Dietary sodium restriction, which prevents the macrophage response to nerve sectioning, had no effect on ICAM‐1 levels. VCAM‐1+ vessels are increased on the denervated side of the tongue at 24–48 hr post‐section in control‐fed rats. However, dietary sodium restriction prevents the increase. These results indicate that vascular adhesion molecules are differentially regulated by CT sectioning. We suggest that macrophage entry, migration, and modulation of taste function are downstream of dynamic expression of adhesion molecules. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Seminars: Local and regional anesthesia for thyroid surgery
Authors: Arora Nimmi , Dhar Panchali , Fahey Thomas J. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractBackgroundThyroid surgery is performed by a large number of surgeons with varying experience in thyroidectomy. The standard technique involves the use of general anesthesia, which provides patient comfort and virtually unlimited time to conduct the operation. Historically, thyroid surgery was conducted under local anesthesia by surgeons with significant expertise in the treatment of thyroid diseases. Over the past decade, there has been a renewed interest in the art of performing thyroidectomy under local/regional anesthesia in some specialized high volume endocrine surgery centers.MethodsHere we review the indications and contraindications and technical considerations for performing thyroidectomy under local or regional anesthesia.Results and ConclusionLocal and regional anesthesia is safe and well tolerated for the majority of thyroid surgery. J. Surg. Oncol. 2006;94:708–713. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Nanocomposites of Polyaniline/Poly(2‐methoxyaniline‐5‐sulfonic acid)
Authors: Masdarolomoor Fatemeh , Innis Peter C. , Ashraf Syed , Kaner Richard B. , Wallace Gordon G. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractSummary: Poly(2‐methoxyaniline‐5‐sulfonic acid) (PMAS) is a water‐soluble derivative of polyaniline that carries negatively charged sulfonate groups. This self‐doped conducting polymer also behaves like a polyelectrolyte that can subsequently function as a dopant in polyaniline (PAn). The chemical synthesis of PAn/PMAS is presented describing the preparation of a highly stable composite dispersion. TEM images reveal a mixture of well‐defined nanofibres and nanoparticles with diameters between 20 and 100 nm. The UV‐vis spectra of the PAn/PMAS composite in water and in alkaline media indicate that both PAn and PMAS are present in the composite. Electrochemical studies show that both of the conducting polymer components are capable of undergoing oxidation and reduction. The novel PAn/PMAS nanocomposite has enhanced electrical conductivity and stability compared to PAn/HCl nanofibres prepared under equivalent conditions, making it a promising material for applications in areas such as batteries, electronic textiles, electrochromics, and chemical sensors.Transmission electron micrograph of a PAn/PMAS nanocomposite.magnified imageTransmission electron micrograph of a PAn/PMAS nanocomposite.
Self‐Assembly and Dispersion of Chromogenic Molecules: A Versatile and General Approach for Self‐Assessing Polymers
Authors: Kunzelman Jill , Crenshaw Brent R. , Kinami Maki , Weder Christoph 
Published: November 2006

AbstractSummary: Self‐assessing polymer blends based on poly(ethylene terephthalate glycol) or linear low‐density polyethylene and small amounts (0.5–2% w/w) of chromogenic sensor dyes are prepared and investigated. The cyano‐substituted oligo(p‐phenylene vinylene) dyes employed in the study exhibit pronounced optical absorption changes upon self‐assembly, because of charge‐transfer interactions or conformation changes. The extent of dye aggregation (and therewith the optical absorption characteristics) in these blends is significantly influenced by exposure to external stimuli. Subjecting appropriately processed samples to either temperatures above their glass transition or mechanical deformation can significantly change the extent of aggregation, which in turn leads to a color change.Mechano‐optical response of a 1.0% w/w LLDPE/C18‐RG blend film. Pristine films are orange due to aggregated dye molecules. Deformation leads to dispersion of the dye and irreversibly changes the color to yellow.magnified imageMechano‐optical response of a 1.0% w/w LLDPE/C18‐RG blend film. Pristine films are orange due to aggregated dye molecules. Deformation leads to dispersion of the dye and irreversibly changes the color to yellow.
Prominent expression of metalloproteinases in early stages of ovarian tumorigenesis
Authors: Cai Kathy Qi , Yang Wan‐Lin , Capo‐chichi Callinice D. , Vanderveer Lisa , Wu Hong , Godwin Andrew K. , Xu Xiang‐Xi 
Published: November 2006

AbstractThe role for matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in tumor cells invasion and metastasis is well established, and expression of MMPs is recognized as an indication of tumor cell malignancy. Previous studies suggest that the degradation of the basement membrane is a crucial early step in epithelial transformation and ovarian tumorigenesis. Thus, MMPs may also express and exert a role in preneoplastic lesions of ovarian tissues. We investigated the expression of the major metalloproteinases, gelatinase A, 72 kDa type IV collagenase (MMP‐2), and gelatinase B, 92 kDa type IV collagenase (MMP‐9), and the presence of basement membrane in ovarian tumors and tissues from prophylactic oophorectomies using immunostaining. MMP expression was also characterized in a panel of ovarian cancer cell lines and several nontumorigenic ovarian surface epithelial primary cells by zymography, Northern, and Western blots. We found, surprisingly, that MMP‐2 and MMP‐9 are expressed more frequently in early lesions than in established carcinomas. No correlation was found between the expression of MMPs and tumor grades or stages. In preneoplastic lesions, MMP‐2 or MMP‐9 expression often associates with the absence of basement membrane and morphological alterations. MMP‐2 is often expressed in nontumorigenic ovarian surface epithelial cells but reduced or absent in cancer cells. Thus, we conclude that MMPs expression does not correlate with the malignancy of ovarian epithelial cells as generally thought. Rather, increased metalloproteinase expression is an early event in ovarian tumorigenesis and associates with the loss of epithelial basement membrane and morphological transformation. We propose that the increased MMP activity is an etiological factor for ovarian cancer risk. We found that MMPs expression does not correlate with the malignancy of ovarian epithelial cells as generally thought. Rather, increased metalloproteinase expression is an early event in ovarian tumorigenesis. The finding suggests roles of MMP in tumor initiation in addition to invasion, and may impact on the strategy for use of MMP inhibitors in cancer prevention. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.