bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Hormones and body size evolution in papionin primates
Authors: Bernstein Robin M. , Leigh Steven R. , Donovan Sharon M. , Monaco Marcia H. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractThis study examines the evolution of size differences among papionin primates by measuring hormones that regulate size growth during ontogeny and influence ultimate adult size (insulin‐like growth factor‐I (IGF‐I), insulin‐like growth factor binding protein‐3 (IGFBP‐3), growth hormone binding protein (GHBP), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), testosterone, estradiol). The analyses assess longstanding ideas about circulating hormone levels and body size. Importantly, because the consensus papionin molecular phylogeny implies at least two episodes of size increase, this study offers opportunities to determine whether or not similar hormone profiles regulate this apparent evolutionary convergence (i.e., do larger‐bodied papionins have higher levels of growth‐related hormones than smaller‐bodied papionins?). Five hundred and sixty serum samples (from 161 individuals) from 11 papionin species were analyzed using a two‐level approach to address this issue. One used mixed longitudinal samples from two papionin species to test whether, during growth, large‐ and small‐bodied species have higher and lower hormone levels, respectively. The second compared multiple papionin species to assess whether or not hormone levels covary with size in adult animals. Result show that size and hormone levels do not covary consistently across papionins, either during growth or in adulthood. Specifically, some smaller‐bodied papionin species have higher absolute hormone levels than larger‐bodied species. Differences in some hormone levels appear to track phylogeny more closely than body size. In contrast to studies based on single species, we demonstrate that, while the hormones analyzed affect growth, absolute circulating hormone levels either during growth or adulthood may be decoupled from interspecific differences in body size. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2007. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Rheological behavior of hydrophilic silica dispersion in polyethylene glycol
Authors: Park Jong‐Hwan , Kim Ho‐gyum , Han Dong‐Hee , Lim Jeong‐Cheol , Oh Dae‐Hee , Min Kyung‐Eun 
Published: November 2006

AbstractThe rheological properties of hydrophilic fumed silica dispersed in polyethylene glycol (PEG) were investigated. The dispersion was prepared by dispersing the fumed silica in PEG with various concentrations. The reversible sol–gel transition was observed over 5 wt % of silica concentration as a function of temperature. The gelation temperature was found to depend on the applied shear stress and silica concentration, and the high shear stress was found to lead to the decrease of sol–gel transition temperature of the dispersion with the same silica concentration. As the silica concentration increases, the sol–gel transition shifts to the lower temperature. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Apple Polly Sci 103: 2481–2486, 2007
Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy study of poly(1‐trimethylsilyl‐1‐propyne) aging
Authors: Khodzhaeva V. L. , Zaikin V. G. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractThe influence of various factors on the aging of poly(1‐trimethylsilyl‐1‐propyne) (PTMSP) during long‐term storage in air was investigated with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Most attention was paid to the differentiation of oxidation, the reduction of the free volume, and the absorption of low‐molecular‐weight compounds from the environment. IR spectra of PTMSP samples stored from 1–2 months to 6.5 years revealed CO, CO, and CH bands that had been earlier attributed to polymer oxidation products. It was established, however, that these bands completely disappeared from IR spectra of the aged samples after their soaking in ethanol. Spectra of dried residues of ethanol extracts displayed all these bands and did not show any bands of polymer chain fragments. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis proved that the residues were composed mainly of various dialkyl phthalates. Special experiments showed that PTMSP films easily absorbed di‐n‐butyl phthalate vapors. IR spectra of the films stored for a long time showed no decrease in double‐bond and methyl group bands. It was concluded that the polymer did not undergo oxidation in air at room temperature for at least 6.5 years. The absorption of plasticizer vapors (and possibly other compounds) from the environment and the reduction of the free volume were the main reasons found for PTMSP aging. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 103: 2523–2527, 2007
Normal stresses in flow of polyvinyl chloride plastisols
Authors: Nakajima N. , Harrell E. R. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractIn the steady state flow of many liquids, such as polymer solutions and melts, the first normal stress difference, N1 = σ11 − σ22, is positive. However, with liquid crystal systems and some colloidal suspensions, negative values of N1 were reported in literature. In our past work with a commercial polyvinyl chloride plastisol, negative values were observed. During the steady state flow, the plastisol undergoes stress‐induced phase separation into an immobilized layer and a mobile phase. The concentration difference between the two phases gives a rise to an osmotic pressure difference, Δπ, which is countered by a normal stress, N, generated by the flow. Because N is balanced with Δπ, N cannot be observed directly. In this work, N is identified as an isotropic and N1, directional. The disturbance among rotating particles in the mobile phase produces two effects; one is an increase of pressure, which is N; the other, N1 is associated with a small volume increase, which is directed towards the opening of the rheometer. The directional expansion is caused by the shear‐stress gradient in the liquid between the rotating particles. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 103: 2769–2775, 2007
Thermal analysis of polymer–water interactions and their relation to gas hydrate inhibition
Authors: Varma‐Nair Manika , Costello Christine A. , Colle Karla S. , King Hubert E. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractGas hydrates formed in oil production pipelines are crystalline solids where hydrocarbon gas molecules such as methane, propane, and their mixtures are trapped in a cagelike structure by hydrogen‐bonded water molecules to form undesirable plugs. Methanol and glycol are currently used to prevent these plugs via thermodynamic inhibition. Small amounts of water‐soluble polymers may provide an alternate approach for preventing gas hydrates. In this study, we expand the fundamental understanding of water–polymer systems with differential scanning calorimetry. Nonfreezable bound water was used to quantify polymer–water interactions and relate them to the chemical structure for a series of polymers, including acrylamides, cyclic lactams, and n‐vinyl amides. For good interactions, the water structure needs to be stabilized through hydrophobic interactions. An increased hydrophobicity of the pendant group also appears to favor polymer performance as a gas hydrate inhibitor. Good inhibitors, such as poly(diethyl acrylamide) and poly(N‐vinyl caprolactam), also show higher heat capacities, which indicate higher hydrophobicity, than poor performers such as polyzwitterions, in which hydrophilicity dominated. The phase behavior and thermodynamic properties of dilute polymer solutions were also evaluated through measurements of the heat of demixing and lower critical solution temperature. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 103: 2642–2653, 2007
Studies in the process optimization and characterization of low formaldehyde emission urea‐formaldehyde resin by response surface methodology
Authors: Kumar R. N. , Han Tang Lee , Rozman H. D. , Wan Daud Wan Rosli , Ibrahim Mohammed Sanni 
Published: November 2006

AbstractStringent control of formaldehyde emission standards the world over has intensified research and development effort to explore several paths for reducing formaldehyde release. A new generation of low odour resins is currently being developed and some resin manufacturers are now programming formaldehyde and urea additions at two or more stages in the overall reaction. This article reports on the studies conducted on a four‐stage condensation process consisting of the first stage involving a high acid environment followed by an alkaline condensation, a condensation under a pH 6, and finally neutralization to pH 7. A programmed variation consisting of changing “the number of additions” and “the duration between additions” of urea to formaldehyde was considered as an effective method to control the molecular weight, molecular weight distribution, and the oligomeric structures. Response surface methodology was employed to optimize the above conditions to produce particle boards with minimum formaldehyde emission and maximum internal bond strength. The studies showed that sequential addition of urea [“the duration between additions” and the “number of additions”] improved the internal bond strength and reduced formaldehyde emission of the particleboards. Detailed resin characterization in terms of the number and weight average molecular weights, molecular weight distribution, polydispersity, percentages of reactive moieties, and interlinking units present in the oligomer could be stipulated. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 103: 2709–2719, 2007
N‐isopropylacrylamide decomposition process in helium plasma
Authors: Martínez H. , Rodríguez‐Lazcano Y. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractEmission spectroscopy was applied to observe decomposed species of N‐isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAm) exposed to He plasma, which was generated by AC discharge at the pressure of 400 Pa. As the NIPAAm monomer was exposed to He plasma, light emitted from the NIPAAm and plasma was monitored. In the diagnosis measurement, several emission peaks assigned to the Hα and Hβ atomic lines, CH3O, CN(B2Σ‐X2Π), CH(A2Δ‐X2Π), and C3H5, CN, CHO, CH2O, and C4H2+ transitions were observed and measured at various discharge times. The present results show the presence of C4H2 and C4H2+*, which are not manifested in great concentration in the simulation of RF acetylene discharge. The time dependence of the emission intensities was also investigated. When the discharge time of He plasma was increased, the emission intensities of the observed transitions also increased and then gradually decreased. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 103: 2591–2596, 2007
Synthesis and characterization of the soluble fluorescent poly[2‐decyloxy‐5‐(2′‐(6′‐dodecyloxy)naphthyl)‐1,4‐phenylenevinylene]
Authors: Chang Hung‐Te , Lee Hsun‐Tsing , Yeh Mou‐Yung 
Published: November 2006

AbstractA new soluble fluorescent polymer, poly[2‐decyloxy‐5‐(2′‐(6′‐dodecyl‐oxy)naphthyl)‐1,4‐phenylenevinylene] (DDN‐PPV), with no tolane‐bisbenzyl (TBB) structure defects is prepared by the dehydrohalogenation of 1,4‐bis(bromomethyl)‐2‐decyloxy‐5‐(2′‐(6′‐dodecyloxy)naphthyl)benzene (as monomer) in this study. The aforementioned monomer is synthesized via such chemical reactions as alkylation, bromination, and Suzuki coupling reactions. The structure and properties of the DDN‐PPV are examined by 1H NMR, FTIR, UV/vis, TGA, photoluminescence (PL), and electroluminescence (EL) analyses. The two asymmetric decyloxy and 6′‐dodecyloxynaphthyl substituents on the phenylene ring make the DDN‐PPV soluble in organic solvents and eliminate the TBB structure defects. With the DDN‐PPV acting as a light‐emitting polymer, a device is fabricated with a sequential lamination of ITO/PEDOT/DDN‐PPV/Ca/Ag. The EL spectrum of the device shows a maximum emission at 538 nm. The turn on voltage of the device is about 16.6 V. Its maximum brightness is 14 cd/m2 at a voltage of 18.2 V. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 103: 2734–2741, 2007
A conservation trade‐off? Interspecific differences in seahorse responses to experimental changes in fishing effort
Authors: Curtis Janelle M. R. , Ribeiro Joaquim , Erzini Karim , Vincent Amanda C. J. 
Published: November 2006

Abstract
A 2‐year experimental seining programme and underwater visual censuses were undertaken to quantify the direct effects of active demersal fishing on the population structure and relative abundance of two sympatric seahorse species of conservation concern: the European long‐snouted seahorse, Hippocampus guttulatus Cuvier 1829 and the short‐snouted seahorse, Hippocampus hippocampus L. The influence of habitat preference on population‐level responses to changes in habitat structure following a reduction in fishing effort was also investigated.
It was predicted that the benthic habitat would be more structurally complex after fishing ceased and that seahorse densities would increase in response to reduced fishing mortality. Furthermore, it was predicted that the magnitude of the increase in density would be greater for H. guttulatus than for H. hippocampus, because the former species prefers complex vegetated habitats while the latter species uses sparsely vegetated habitats.
As predicted, the amount of habitat cover increased significantly when seining ceased, primarily through increases in the abundance of drifting macroalgae and unattached invertebrates. Despite similarities in life histories, the two seahorse species responded differently in terms of magnitude and direction to reduced fishing effort: the abundance of H. guttulatus increased significantly while H. hippocampus decreased in abundance.
Results suggest that active demersal fishing may influence the magnitude and direction of the responses of benthic marine fishes to exploitation through its impacts on habitat structure. An increase in habitat cover appeared to favour higher densities of H. guttulatus when seining effort was reduced. By contrast, repeated seining, which maintained less complex habitats, appeared to favour greater abundances of H. hippocampus.
Given differences in habitat preference among benthic marine fishes subject to incidental capture in fisheries, simultaneous attempts to manage populations of sympatric species may require complementary strategies that support the persistence of diverse habitat types.
Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A randomized, sham‐controlled, proof of principle study of transcranial direct current stimulation for the treatment of pain in fibromyalgia
Authors: Fregni Felipe , Gimenes Rafaela , Valle Angela C. , Ferreira Merari J. L. , Rocha Renata R. , Natalle Luane , Bravo Riviane , Rigonatti Sergio P. , Freedman Steven D. , Nitsche Michael A. , Pascual‐Leone Alvaro , Boggio Paulo S. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractObjectiveRecent evidence suggests that fibromyalgia is a disorder characterized by dysfunctional brain activity. Because transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) can modulate brain activity noninvasively and can decrease pain in patients with refractory central pain, we hypothesized that tDCS treatment would result in pain relief in patients with fibromyalgia.MethodsThirty‐two patients were randomized to receive sham stimulation or real tDCS with the anode centered over the primary motor cortex (M1) or the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) (2 mA for 20 minutes on 5 consecutive days). A blinded evaluator rated the patient's pain, using the visual analog scale for pain, the clinician's global impression, the patient's global assessment, and the number of tender points. Other symptoms of fibromyalgia were evaluated using the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire and the Short Form 36 Health Survey. Safety was assessed with a battery of neuropsychological tests. To assess potential confounders, we measured mood and anxiety changes throughout the trial.ResultsAnodal tDCS of the primary motor cortex induced significantly greater pain improvement compared with sham stimulation and stimulation of the DLPFC (P < 0.0001). Although this effect decreased after treatment ended, it was still significant after 3 weeks of followup (P = 0.004). A small positive impact on quality of life was observed among patients who received anodal M1 stimulation. This treatment was associated with a few mild adverse events, but the frequency of these events in the active‐treatment groups was similar to that in the sham group. Cognitive changes were similar in all 3 treatment groups.ConclusionOur findings provide initial evidence of a beneficial effect of tDCS in fibromyalgia, thus encouraging further trials.
Individualized monitoring of drug bioavailability and immunogenicity in rheumatoid arthritis patients treated with the tumor necrosis factor α inhibitor infliximab
Authors: Bendtzen Klaus , Geborek Pierre , Svenson Morten , Larsson Lotta , Kapetanovic Meliha C. , Saxne Tore 
Published: November 2006

AbstractObjectiveInfliximab, an anti–tumor necrosis factor α (anti‐TNFα) antibody, is effective in the treatment of several immunoinflammatory diseases. However, many patients experience primary or secondary response failure, suggesting that individualization of treatment regimens may be beneficial. This study was undertaken to investigate whether serologic monitoring of infliximab bioavailability and immunogenicity in individual patients would be useful in optimizing treatment regimens to improve efficacy and tolerability.MethodsTo avoid the use of solid‐phase assays, two radioimmunoassays were developed: one for measurement of levels of anti‐infliximab antibody, and a functional one for measurement of TNFα binding due to infliximab. Sera from 106 randomly selected rheumatoid arthritis patients were tested within 6 months of therapy initiation, and associations between findings of serum assays and disease activity, infusion reactions, and treatment failure occurring within 18 months were assessed.ResultsTrough serum infliximab levels after the first 2 intravenous infusions of infliximab at 3 mg/kg varied considerably between patients (range 0–22 μg/ml). At this stage, only 13% of the patients were anti‐infliximab antibody positive. With subsequent infusions, the frequency of antibody positivity rose to 30% and 44% (at 3 months and 6 months, respectively), accompanied by diminished trough levels of infliximab. Indeed, low infliximab levels at 1.5 months predicted antibody development and later treatment failure. There were highly significant correlations between high levels of antibodies and later dose increases, side effects, and cessation of therapy. High baseline disease activity, judged by C‐reactive protein level and Disease Activity Score, was associated with low levels of infliximab at the early stage of treatment and later development of anti‐infliximab antibodies. Cotreatment with methotrexate resulted in slightly reduced antibody levels after 6 months; other disease‐modifying antirheumatic drugs and prednisolone had no effect.ConclusionDevelopment of anti‐infliximab antibodies, heralded by low preinfusion serum infliximab levels, is associated with increased risk of infusion reaction and treatment failure. Early monitoring may help optimize dosing regimens for individual patients, diminish side effects, and prevent prolonged use of inadequate infliximab therapy.
Effects of chronic growth hormone and insulin‐like growth factor 1 deficiency on osteoarthritis severity in rat knee joints
Authors: Ekenstedt Kari J. , Sonntag William E. , Loeser Richard F. , Lindgren Bruce R. , Carlson Cathy S. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractObjectiveTo determine the effects of chronic deficiency of growth hormone (GH) and insulin‐like growth factor 1 (IGF‐1) on osteoarthritis (OA) severity.MethodsThirty‐five rats were divided into 4 treatment groups at 4 weeks of age: 1 control group (normal GH/IGF‐1 levels [heterozygous]) and 3 groups of dwarves with a genetic mutation that results in GH deficiency. The first dwarf group received GH for 64 weeks (GH replete) and the second received GH until 14 weeks of age, followed by saline for 50 weeks (adult‐onset GH/IGF‐1 deficiency [AO‐GHD]). The third dwarf group received saline injections only (lifetime GH deficient [GHD]). Sections of the medial knee joint compartment were graded and measured histologically; data were summarized using factor analysis, and treatment effects were assessed using analysis of variance and adjusting for body weight.ResultsTerminal IGF‐1 levels and body weights were significantly affected by treatment (P = 0.002 and P < 0.001, respectively). Factor analysis yielded a total of 5 factors, the first 3 of which were not significantly affected by treatment. Factor 4 (weighted by medial tibial plateau articular cartilage width and area) was significantly affected by treatment (P < 0.012), with larger values in the AO‐GHD group than in the GHD group (P < 0.05). Factor 5 (weighted primarily by articular cartilage structure and loss of toluidine blue staining scores) also was significantly affected by treatment (P < 0.001), and was significantly lower (less severe lesions) in the GH replete group than in all other treatment groups (P < 0.05). Despite the presence of cartilage lesions, osteophytes and subchondral sclerosis were not observed in GH/IGF‐1–deficient animals.ConclusionThese results indicate that chronic GH/IGF‐1 deficiency causes an increased severity of articular cartilage lesions of OA without the bony lesions normally seen in this disease.
Relationship of antiphospholipid antibodies to cardiovascular manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Farzaneh‐Far Afshin , Roman Mary J. , Lockshin Michael D. , Devereux Richard B. , Paget Stephen A. , Crow Mary K. , Davis Adrienne , Sammaritano Lisa , Levine Daniel M. , Salmon Jane E. 
Published: November 2006

AbstractObjectiveAlthough antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) are associated with arterial and venous thrombosis in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), the extent to which they influence other cardiovascular manifestations is either controversial or uncertain. We undertook this study to examine the relationships of aPL with valvular, myocardial, and arterial disease in SLE.MethodsTwo hundred patients in an SLE registry, recruited at the time of outpatient visits, underwent comprehensive interviews, physical examinations, laboratory assessments, echocardiography to assess left ventricular (LV) and valvular status, carotid ultrasonography to detect atherosclerosis (discrete plaque), and radial applanation tonometry to measure arterial stiffness.ResultsAntiphospholipid antibodies were present(defined as IgG or IgM anticardiolipin ≥40 IU/ml or the presence of lupus anticoagulant) in 42 patients (21%). Mitral valve nodules and moderate‐to‐severe mitral regurgitation were more common in aPL‐positive patients (both 14.3% versus 4.4%; P = 0.02). Thirty‐one percent of patients with high titers of IgG aPL (>80 IU/ml) had mitral valve nodules, compared with 20% of patients with mildly to moderately elevated levels of IgG aPL (16–80 IU/ml) and 4% of patients without IgG aPL (overall P < 0.001). Levels of soluble tumor necrosis factor receptors were higher in the presence of both aPL and mitral valve nodules. LV dimensions, systolic function, and carotid artery stiffness as well as prevalences of Raynaud's phenomenon, pulmonary hypertension, and atherosclerosis were similar in aPL‐positive and aPL‐negative patients.ConclusionAntiphospholipid antibodies in SLE are associated with mitral valve nodules and significant mitral regurgitation, possibly due to valvular endothelial cell activation. However, in this population, they are not associated with evidence of myocardial hypertrophy, systolic dysfunction, coronary or carotid atherosclerosis, or other vascular abnormalities.