bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Randomized controlled trial of a brief research‐based intervention promoting fruit and vegetable consumption
Authors: Kellar Ian , Abraham Charles 
Published: October 2005

Objective. The present study sought to test the efficacy of a brief research‐based, leaflet‐like intervention to promote eating the recommended daily intake of fruit and vegetables (RDIFV).Design. A controlled, pre‐ post‐test experimental study with random allocation and a 1 week self‐report behavioural follow‐up was conducted.Method. The intervention employed persuasive communication targeting self‐efficacy and intention, and invited participants to form implementation intentions in relation to acquiring and preparing fruit and vegetables for consumption.Results. Intervention participants had stronger post‐intervention intentions to consume the RDIFV, and higher anticipated regret in relation to failing to do so, compared with controls, controlling for pre‐intervention scores. At follow‐up, the intervention group was found to have eaten more fruit and vegetables and to have consumed the RDIFV more frequently.Discussion. It is concluded that this study supports the previously reported power of implementation intentions to prompt enactment of intentions, and that a brief research‐based leaflet‐like intervention could result in immediate enhancement of intentions and anticipated regret, and promote greater fruit and vegetable consumption.
The self‐regulatory model in women with rheumatoid arthritis: Relationships between illness representations, coping strategies, and illness outcome
Authors: Carlisle Alexandra C. S. , John Alexandra M. H. , Fife‐Schaw Chris , Lloyd Mark 
Published: October 2005

Objectives. The self‐regulatory model proposes that an individual's cognitive representations of illness threat (illness representations) influence the selection and performance of strategies to cope with that illness (Leventhal, Meyer, & Nerenz, 1980). Also implicit in the model is the proposal that such coping strategies influence illness outcomes. These relationships represent a mediational model (Baron & Kenny, 1986). The aim of the present study is to test the hypothesis that coping strategies partially mediate the relationship between illness representations and illness outcome in women with rheumatoid arthritis.Design and methods. The study is an observational cross‐sectional design. Self‐report measures of illness representations, coping strategies, and illness outcome were collected from 125 women with rheumatoid arthritis attending rheumatology out‐patient clinics. Clinical measures of disease activity and severity were obtained from hospital records.Results. Avoidant and resigned coping were found to partially mediate the relationship between symptom identity and the illness outcome measures of disability and psychiatric morbidity. As in other studies, strong relationships were found between illness representations and illness outcome.Conclusions. The finding that avoidant and resigned coping partially mediated the relationships between the illness representation dimension of symptom identity and two of the illness outcome measures (disability and psychiatric morbidity) provided some support for the hypothesis. However, the hypothesis was not fully supported, as coping did not partially mediate the relationship between any of the other illness representations and illness outcomes.
Serum Concentrations of Cross-Linked N-Telopeptides of Type I Collagen: New Marker for Bone Resorption in Hemodialysis Patients
Authors: Maeno Yoshifumi , Inaba Masaaki , Okuno Senji , Yamakawa Tomoyuki , Ishimura Eiji , Nishizawa Yoshiki 
Published: October 2005

AbstractBackground: Urinary cross-linked N-telopeptide of type I collagen (NTX) is a reliable bone resorption marker in patients with metabolic bone disease. We assessed a clinically available serum NTX assay suitable for anuric patients on hemodialysis (HD).Methods: Serum concentrations of NTX, C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (β-CTX), pyridinoline (PYD), and deoxypyridinoline (DPD) were determined as bone resorption markers, and those of bone alkaline phosphatase (BAP) and intact osteocalcin (OC) as bone formation markers, in 113 male HD patients (mean age, 59.3 years; mean HD duration, 67.7 months). Each patient’s bone mineral density (BMD) in the distal third of the radius was measured twice, with a 2-year interval between measurements, by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry.Results: Serum NTX correlated significantly with β-CTX, PYD, DPD, BAP, and intact OC. NTX, as well as β-CTX, PYD, DPD, BAP, and intact OC, correlated significantly with BMD at the time of measurement. NTX, β-CTX, and DPD correlated significantly with the annual change in BMD during the 2-year period thereafter, in contrast to PYD, BAP, and intact OC. Patients in the highest quartile of serum NTX concentrations showed the fastest rate of bone loss. The sensitivity and specificity for detecting rapid bone loss were 48% and 83%, respectively, for serum NTX.Conclusion: Serum NTX may provide a clinically relevant serum assay to estimate bone turnover in HD patients.
Feasibility Study of the Use of Frozen Human Sera in Split-Sample Comparison of Immunoassays with Candidate Reference Measurement Procedures for Total Thyroxine and Total Triiodothyronine Measurements
Authors: Thienpont Linda M , Van Uytfanghe Katleen , Marriott John , Stokes Peter , Siekmann Lothar , Kessler Anja , Bunk David , Tai Susan 
Published: October 2005

Abstract
Background: Diagnostic manufacturers must ensure/document metrologically traceable assays. We report on a feasibility study of a split-sample comparison for that purpose. Processed, frozen single-donation sera, assigned target values by candidate reference measurement procedures (cRMPs), were used with immunoassays for total thyroxine (TT4) and triiodothyronine (TT3) as models.
Methods: Two serum panels were quantified for TT4 and TT3 with validated cRMPs and measured in parallel with at least 14 immunoassays. The results were interpreted in terms of traceability of calibration (trueness) and of the individual measurement result (accuracy) by linear regression analysis and graphical representation against specifications. The commutability of the sera was investigated by parallel analysis of TT4 in freshly collected but nonfiltered specimens.
Results: The TT4 (TT3) concentrations in the sera (according to the cRMPs) were 64–269 nmol/L (0.88–13.7 nmol/L). The method comparison showed that for TT4, on average, the immunoassays produced results in agreement with the cRMPs, whereas for TT3, results were typically higher. It also demonstrated a considerable between-assay divergence in traceability of calibration and accuracy. The evidence of noncommutability of the sera attributable to processing, however, indicates that the interpretation should be treated with caution.
Conclusions: Frozen sera can be used for documenting/validating traceability of total thyroid measurements. The way in which the sera are processed may jeopardize commutability, however, and therefore requires in-depth investigation.
Detection of Outliers in Reference Distributions: Performance of Horn’s Algorithm
Authors: Solberg Helge Erik , Lahti Ari 
Published: October 2005

AbstractBackground: Medical laboratory reference data may be contaminated with outliers that should be eliminated before estimation of the reference interval. A statistical test for outliers has been proposed by Paul S. Horn and coworkers (Clin Chem 2001;47:2137–45). The algorithm operates in 2 steps: (a) mathematically transform the original data to approximate a gaussian distribution; and (b) establish detection limits (Tukey fences) based on the central part of the transformed distribution.Methods: We studied the specificity of Horn’s test algorithm (probability of false detection of outliers), using Monte Carlo computer simulations performed on 13 types of probability distributions covering a wide range of positive and negative skewness. Distributions with 3% of the original observations replaced by random outliers were used to also examine the sensitivity of the test (probability of detection of true outliers). Three data transformations were used: the Box and Cox function (used in the original Horn’s test), the Manly exponential function, and the John and Draper modulus function.Results: For many of the probability distributions, the specificity of Horn’s algorithm was rather poor compared with the theoretical expectation. The cause for such poor performance was at least partially related to remaining nongaussian kurtosis (peakedness). The sensitivity showed great variation, dependent on both the type of underlying distribution and the location of the outliers (upper and/or lower tail).Conclusion: Although Horn’s algorithm undoubtedly is an improvement compared with older methods for outlier detection, reliable statistical identification of outliers in reference data remains a challenge.
Miniature Personal Electronic UVR Dosimeter with Erythema Response and Time‐stamped Readings in a Wristwatch
Authors: Heydenreich Jakob , Wulf Hans Christian 
Published: October 2005

ABSTRACTPersonal ultraviolet radiation (UVR) dosimetry is important because sunlight is the most important risk factor for skin cancer and a risk factor for some eye diseases and immunosuppression and related disorders. Integrating devices, such as polysulphone film dosimeters, are generally used. To measure the exact dose at specific times, we have developed a personal electronic UVR dosimeter that makes time‐stamped measurements. It has a sensor with an erythema action spectrum response and a linear sensitivity (dose–response) with no offset. The sensor has cosine response, and the dosimeter can cope with environmental conditions such as rain, temperature and dirt. It can be programmed to measure with different time intervals and save the average of a specified number of measurements in the memory that can store 32 000 time‐stamped measurements. It is small (36 × 28 × 13 mm), weighs 14 g and can work for 4 months without maintenance. It is worn on the wrist, is equipped with a watch showing the time and may thus be used in large‐scale studies. The sensitivity can change by 10% due to temperature changes from −5 to 40°C. The UVR dosimeter sensitivity is 0.09 standard erythema doses (SED)/h and the difference in total received dose during 7 days between a Solar Light 501 UV‐Biometer (186 SED) and our UVR dosimeter was 3% and the median difference in daily total dose was 2.2%. The dosimeter provides unique possibilities. Examples of personal UVR measurements, data calculations and how they can be interpreted are given.
Fluorescence-Activated Cell Sorting–Based Purification of Embryonic Stem Cell–Derived Neural Precursors Averts Tumor Formation after Transplantation
Authors: Fukuda Hitoshi , Takahashi Jun , Watanabe Kiichi , Hayashi Hideki , Morizane Asuka , Koyanagi Masaomi , Sasai Yoshiki , Hashimoto Nobuo 
Published: October 2005

Abstract
The differentiation of dopaminergic (DA) neurons from mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs) can be efficiently induced, making these neurons a potential source for transplantation as a treatment for Parkinson's disease, a condition characterized by the gradual loss of midbrain DA neurons. One of the major persistent obstacles to the successful implementation of therapeutic ESC transplantation is the propensity of ESC-derived grafts to form tumors in vivo. To address this problem, we used fluorescence-activated cell sorting to purify mouse ESC-derived neural precursors expressing the neural precursor marker Sox1. ESC-derived, Sox1+ cells began to express neuronal cell markers and differentiated into DA neurons upon transplantation into mouse brains but did not generate tumors in this site. In contrast, Sox1− cells that expressed ESC markers frequently formed tumors in vivo. These results indicate that Sox1-based cell sorting of neural precursors prevents graft-derived tumor formation after transplantation, providing a promising strategy for cell transplantation therapy of neurodegenerative disorders.
Myocardial Homing of Nonmobilized Peripheral-Blood CD34+ Cells After Intracoronary Injection
Authors: Blocklet Didier , Toungouz Michel , Berkenboom Guy , Lambermont Micheline , Unger Philippe , Preumont Nicolas , Stoupel Eric , Egrise Dominique , Degaute Jean-Paul , Goldman Michel , Goldman Serge 
Published: October 2005

Abstract
Granulocyte– colony-stimulating factor administered for autologous hematopoietic stem cell isolation from blood may favor restenosis in patients implanted after acute myocardial infarction (AMI). We therefore tested the isolation of peripheral-blood CD34+ cells without mobilization in six patients with AMI. After large-volume cytapheresis and positive CD34+ cell selection, 3.6 to 27.6 million CD34+ cells were obtained. We performed intra-coronary implantation of these cells and recorded no restenosis or arrhythmia. We used positron emission tomography (PET) to assess myocardial-labeled CD34+ cell homing, which accounted for 5.5% of injected cells 1 hour after implantation. In conclusion, large amounts of CD34+ cells, in the range reported in previous studies, can be obtained from nonmobilized peripheral blood. PET with [18F]-fluorodeoxyglucose cell labeling is an efficient imaging method for homing assessment.
Intervertebral Disc Cell–Mediated Mesenchymal Stem Cell Differentiation
Authors: Richardson Stephen M. , Walker Rachael V. , Parker Siân , Rhodes Nicholas P. , Hunt John A. , Freemont Anthony J. , Hoyland Judith A. 
Published: October 2005

Abstract
Low back pain is one of the largest health problems in the Western world today, and intervertebral disc degeneration has been identified as a main cause. Currently, treatments are symptomatic, but cell-based tissue engineering methods are realistic alternatives for tissue regeneration. However, the major problem for these strategies is the generation of a suitable population of cells. Adult bone marrow–derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are undifferentiated, multipotent cells that have the ability to differentiate into a number of cell types, including the chondrocyte-like cells found within the nucleus pulposus (NP) of the intervertebral disc; however, no method exists to differentiate these cells in an accessible monolayer environment. We have conducted coculture experiments to determine whether cells from the human NP can initiate the differentiation of human MSCs with or without cell–cell contact. Fluorescent labeling of the stem cell population and high-speed cell sorting after coculture with cell–cell contact allowed examination of individual cell populations. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction showed significant increases in NP marker genes in stem cells when cells were cocultured with contact for 7 days, and this change was regulated by cell ratio. No significant change in NP marker gene expression in either NP cells or stem cells was observed when cells were cultured without contact, regardless of cell ratio. Thus, we have shown that human NP and MSC coculture with contact is a viable method for generating a large population of differentiated cells that could be used in cell-based tissue engineering therapies for regeneration of the degenerate intervertebral disc.
Human Umbilical Cord Matrix Stem Cells: Preliminary Characterization and Effect of Transplantation in a Rodent Model of Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Weiss Mark L. , Medicetty Satish , Bledsoe Amber R. , Rachakatla Raja Shekar , Choi Michael , Merchav Shosh , Luo Yongquan , Rao Mahendra S. , Velagaleti Gopalrao , Troyer Deryl 
Published: October 2005

Abstract
The umbilical cord contains an inexhaustible, noncontroversial source of stem cells for therapy. In the U.S., stem cells found in the umbilical cord are routinely placed into bio-hazardous waste after birth. Here, stem cells derived from human umbilical cord Wharton's Jelly, called umbilical cord matrix stem (UCMS) cells, are characterized. UCMS cells have several properties that make them of interest as a source of cells for therapeutic use. For example, they 1) can be isolated in large numbers, 2) are negative for CD34 and CD45, 3) grow robustly and can be frozen/thawed, 4) can be clonally expanded, and 5) can easily be engineered to express exogenous proteins. UCMS cells have genetic and surface markers of mesenchymal stem cells (positive for CD10, CD13, CD29, CD44, and CD90 and negative for CD14, CD33, CD56, CD31, CD34, CD45, and HLA-DR) and appear to be stable in terms of their surface marker expression in early passage (passages 4–8). Unlike traditional mesenchymal stem cells derived from adult bone marrow stromal cells, small populations of UCMS cells express endoglin (SH2, CD105) and CD49e at passage 8. UCMS cells express growth factors and angiogenic factors, suggesting that they may be used to treat neurodegenerative disease. To test the therapeutic value of UCMS cells, undifferentiated human UCMS cells were transplanted into the brains of hemiparkinsonian rats that were not immune-suppressed. UCMS cells ameliorated apomorphine-induced rotations in the pilot test. UCMS cells transplanted into normal rats did not produce brain tumors, rotational behavior, or a frank host immune rejection response. In summary, the umbilical cord matrix appears to be a rich, noncontroversial, and inexhaustible source of primitive mesenchymal stem cells.
Transport phenomena in a catalytic monolith: Effect of the superficial reaction
Authors: Di Benedetto A. , Marra F. S. , Donsi F. , Russo G. 
Published: October 2005

AbstractThe effect of a fast exothermic surface reaction on the fluid flow and on heat transfer between bulk gas phase, and the catalytic wall in a monolithic reactor has been studied by means of a 2‐D mathematical model. The radial profiles of temperature, concentration, and velocity in the ignition region show that the perturbation induced by the reaction is qualitatively comparable to the entrance effects. From the standpoint of heat transfer efficiency the channel may be divided into two zones, the first dominated by the entrance effects and the second dominated by the reaction effects. In the first zone the interphase heat transfer resembles the constant wall heat flux (NuH), while after ignition resembles the constant wall temperature (NuT) only once the perturbation generated by the reaction ignition has extinguished. It is, hence, showed that the Nu number may be calculated as the interpolation between NuH, and a modified Nusselt number Nuad, which is defined as a function of the difference between the adiabatic temperature and gas bulk temperature rather than wall‐gas temperature difference. It is anchored to the ignition location, depends on the operating and kinetic parameters and asymptotically tends to NuT. © 2005 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2006
Supramolekulare Ansätze zur Erzeugung von Bibliotheken zweizähniger Chelatliganden für die homogene Katalyse
Authors: Breit Bernhard 
Published: October 2005

AbstractDie kombinatorische Katalysatorentwicklung und ‐optimierung leidet bislang an der schlechten Zugänglichkeit strukturell diverser Ligandenbibliotheken, vor allem für die Klasse der strukturell komplexeren Chelatliganden. Ein völlig neuer Ansatz umgeht das Problem der schwierigen Ligandensynthese durch die Selbstorganisation von strukturell einfacheren einzähnigen Liganden zu zweizähnigen Liganden durch anziehende nichtkovalente Ligand‐Ligand‐Wechselwirkungen. Bei Verwendung komplementärer Ligand‐Ligand‐Bindungsmotive führt schon einfaches Mischen von jeweils zwei unterschiedlichen einzähnigen Liganden zum Aufbau von Bibliotheken definierter Chelatligand‐Katalysatoren. Dieser Kurzaufsatz fasst die ersten Ansätze und Ergebnisse in diesem vielversprechenden Forschungsgebiet der homogenen Katalyse zusammen.
Supramolecular Approaches to Generate Libraries of Chelating Bidentate Ligands for Homogeneous Catalysis
Authors: Breit Bernhard 
Published: October 2005

AbstractThe process of catalyst discovery and development relying on combinatorial methods has suffered so far from the difficult access to structurally diverse and large libraries of ligands, in particular the structurally more complex class of bidentate ligands. A completely new approach to streamline the difficult ligand synthesis process is to use structurally less complex monodentate ligands that self‐assemble in the coordination sphere of a metal center through noncovalent attractive ligand–ligand interactions to generate bidentate, chelating ligands. When complementary attractive ligand–ligand interactions are employed, it is even possible to generate libraries of defined chelate–ligand catalysts by simply mixing two different monomeric ligands. This Minireview summarizes the first approaches and results in this new field of combinatorial homogeneous catalysis.
Improvement of a gram‐scale mixer for polymer blending
Authors: Yang Bin , Sato Misaki , Kuriyama Takashi , Inoue Takashi 
Published: October 2005

AbstractA small‐scale mixer designed by Bryce Maxwell is commercialized by Custom Scientific Instruments, Inc. under the name of MINI‐MAX Molder. It is very useful for the study of polymer blends, especially when the available amount of polymer specimen is limited, for example, less than a few grams. However, it gives essentially shear flow and suffers from poor distribution and dispersion capabilities in comparison with large scale extruder and internal mixers. We propose here an improvement of the mixing and dispersing capabilities of the Maxwell small‐scale mixer by the addition of Teflon disk and steel balls together with the mixed materials. When polypropylene and high impact polystyrene were mixed at 70/30 wt. ratio at 180°C without the disk and balls, the high impact polystyrene particle size (D) was 6.27 μm. A finer dispersion (D = 1.44 μm) was achieved by the introduction of one Teflon disk at the center of mixing cup and three steel balls. Furthermore, with increasing the number of steel balls from three to seven, and with using different sizes of balls, much finer dispersions were achieved (D = 0.58 μm and 0.47 μm). This may be caused by: (1) the addition of Teflon disk eliminates the low shear regions in the mixing cavity, and (2) the addition of steel balls induces asymmetric circulation of the materials, some changes in the flow lines going from the center to the border or from the top to the bottom, some reorientation of the materials, and higher shear fields. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 99: 1–5, 2006
Novel polyether polyurethane/clay nanocomposites synthesized with organicly modified montmorillonite as chain extenders
Authors: Ni Ping , Wang Quanlin , Li Jing , Suo Jishuan , Li Shuben 
Published: October 2005

AbstractA kind of novel polyether polyurethane (PU)/clay nanocomposite was synthesized using poly(tetramethylene glycol), 4,4′‐diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI), 1,6‐hexamethylenediamine, and modified Na+‐montmorillonite (MMT). Here, organicly modified MMT (O‐MMT) was formed by applying 1,6‐hexamethylenediamine as a swelling agent to treat the Na+‐MMT. The X‐ray analysis showed that exfoliation occurred for the higher O‐MMT content (40 wt %) in the polymer matrix. The mechanical analysis indicated that, when the O‐MMT was used as a chain extender to replace a part of the 1,2‐diaminopropane to form PU/clay nanocomposites, the strength and strain at break of the polymer was enhanced when increasing the content of O‐MMT in the matrix. When the O‐MMT content reached about 5%, the tensile strength and elongation at break were over 2 times that of the pure PU. The thermal stability and the glass transition of the O‐MMT/PU nanocomposites also increased with increasing O‐MMT content. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 99: 6–13, 2006