bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Summary of ‘Ibuprofen for the treatment of patent ductus arteriosus in preterm and/or low birth weight infants’
Authors: Milne Andrea 
Published: September 2006

AbstractThis is a summary of a Cochrane review, published in this issue of EBCH, first published as: Ohlsson A, Walia R, Shah S. Ibuprofen for the treatment of patent ductus arteriosus in preterm and/or low birth weight infants. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2005, Issue 4. Art. No.: CD003481. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD003481.pub2.Further information for this Cochrane review is available in this issue of EBCH in the accompanying Expert Commentary and Characteristics and Key Findings Tables articles. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Making sense of social research: how useful is the Hawthorne Effect?
Authors: Chiesa Mecca , Hobbs Sandy 
Published: September 2006

Abstract‘The Hawthorne Effect’ is a phrase frequently employed in textbooks and other academic discourse. It appears to have been coined over 50 years ago and alludes to the outcome of research undertaken two decades earlier. This paper seeks to elucidate how the term ‘Hawthorne Effect’ has come to be used. A variety of texts will be presented to demonstrate the many different and often contradictory meanings ascribed to the term. A consideration of Guerin's review of research in social facilitation suggests the complexity of issues that seem to be involved in the use of the term ‘Hawthorne Effect’ is such that greater precision is required. Ultimately, we conclude, the term has no useful role in the discussion of research findings. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Developmental switch from LTD to LTP in low frequency‐induced plasticity
Authors: Lanté Fabien , Cavalier Mélanie , Cohen‐Solal Catherine , Guiramand Janique , Vignes Michel 
Published: October 2006

AbstractThe stimulation of the Schaffer collateral/commissural fibers at low frequency (1 Hz) for 3–5 min can trigger a slow‐onset form of low‐frequency stimulation (LFS)‐long‐term potentiation (LTP) (LFS‐LTP) in the CA1 area of the adult rat hippocampus. Here we have examined the developmental profile of this plasticity. In 9–15 day‐old rats, the application of 1 Hz for 5 min induced long‐term depression (LFS‐LTD). In 17–21 day‐old rats, 1 Hz stimulation had no effect when applied for 5 min but mediated LTD when stimulus duration was increased to 15 min. Over 25 day‐old, 1 Hz stimulation mediated LFS‐LTP. LFS‐LTD was dependent on both N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate (NMDA) and mGlu5 receptor activation. Antagonists of mGlu1α and cannabinoid type 1 receptor were ineffective to block LTD induction. LFS‐LTD was not associated with a change in paired‐pulse facilitation ratio, suggesting a postsynaptic locus of expression of this plasticity. Next, we examined whether LFS‐LTD was related to ‘chemical’ LTDs obtained by the direct stimulation of mGlu5 and NMDA receptors. The saturation of LFS‐LTD completely occluded NMDA‐ and (RS)‐2‐Chloro‐5‐hydroxyphenylglycine (CHPG)‐induced LTD. CHPG‐LTD and NMDA‐LTD occluded each other. In addition, we observed that NMDA‐LTD was dependent on mGlu5 receptor activation in 9–12 day old rats while it was not in animals older than 15 day‐old. Therefore we postulate that during LFS application, NMDA and mGlu5 receptor could interact to trigger LTD. Low‐frequency‐mediated synaptic plasticity is subject to a developmental switch from NMDA‐ and mGlu5 receptor‐dependent LTD to mGlu5 receptor‐dependent LTP with a transient period (17–21 day‐old) during which LFS is ineffective. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
SULT1A1 genotype and susceptibility to colorectal cancer
Authors: Lilla Carmen , Risch Angela , Verla‐Tebit Emaculate , Hoffmeister Michael , Brenner Hermann , Chang‐Claude Jenny 
Published: September 2006

AbstractSeveral procarcinogens that are present in cooked red meat and tobacco smoke are substrates for sulfotransferase 1A1 (SULT1A1). The association between environmental exposures and colorectal cancer risk may be modified by individual differences in the metabolism. Thus, we investigated the effect of a common polymorphism in the SULT1A1 gene associated with decreased enzyme activity on the susceptibility to colorectal cancer in a population‐based case–control study. Patients (505) and 604 age‐ and sex‐matched controls provided detailed risk factor information and were genotyped for SULT1A1 G638A using a fluorescence‐based melting curve analysis method. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to estimate colorectal cancer risk associated with environmental exposures by SULT1A1 genotype. SULT1A1 genotype was not an independent risk factor for colorectal cancer. Risk of colorectal cancer associated with frequent consumption of red meat was significantly elevated among carriers of the SULT1A1*2 allele but not increased among subjects with the SULT1A1*1/*1 genotype (odds ratio (OR) 2.1, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.1–4.1 and OR 1.0, 95% CI 0.5–2.1, respectively). Colorectal cancer risk associated with 30+ pack‐years of active smoking was higher among carriers of the SULT1A1*2 allele (OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.0–3.2) than among individuals with the SULT1A1*1/*1 genotype (OR 1.1, 95% CI 0.6–2.1). Our results do not support a main effect of SULT1A1 genotype with regard to colorectal cancer but suggest that individuals with the low activity SULT1A1*2 allele may be at higher risk following carcinogen exposure than those with the SULT1A1*1/*1 genotype. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
PSA doubling time predicts the outcome after active surveillance in screening‐detected prostate cancer: Results from the European randomized study of screening for prostate cancer, Sweden section
Authors: Ali Khatami , Gunnar Aus , Jan‐Erik Damber , Hans Lilja , Pär Lodding , Jonas Hugosson 
Published: September 2006

AbstractThis study reports the outcome of active surveillance in men with PSA screening‐detected prostate cancer (PC), and PSA doubling time (PSADT) was evaluated as a predictor of selecting patients to active treatment or surveillance. On December 31, 1994, 10,000 men were randomized to biennial PSA testing. Through to December 2004, a total of 660 men were diagnosed with PC, of whom 270 managed with initial surveillance. Of these 270 patients, 104 (39%) received active treatment during follow‐up, 70 radical prostatectomy, 24 radiation and 10 endocrine treatment. Those who received active treatment during follow‐up (mean 63 months) were significantly younger (62.6 vs. 65.5 years, p < 0.0001) and had a shorter PSADT (3.7 vs. 12 years, p < 0.0001). PSA relapse was observed in 9 of 70 patients who received RRP during a mean follow‐up of 37 months. Seven of these nine PSA relapses were in the patients with preoperative PSADT < 2 years. None of the 37 operated patients with a PSADT > 4 years had a PSA relapse. In a Cox regression analysis adjusted for PSA, ratio‐free PSA and amount of cancer in biopsy, only the preoperative PSADT was statistically significant predictor of PSA relapse in p = 0.031. The optimal candidate for surveillance is a man with early, low‐grade, low‐stage PC and a PSADT > 4 years. In younger men with a PSADT of less than 4 years, surveillance does not seem to be a justified alternative, and patient should be informed about the risk with such an approach. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Incidence patterns of soft tissue sarcomas, regardless of primary site, in the surveillance, epidemiology and end results program, 1978–2001: An analysis of 26,758 cases
Authors: Toro Jorge R. , Travis Lois B. , Wu Hongyu Julian , Zhu Kangmin , Fletcher Christopher D.M. , Devesa Susan S. 
Published: September 2006

AbstractSoft tissue sarcomas (STS) are a heterogeneous group of uncommon tumors that show a broad range of differentiation that may reflect etiologic distinction. Routine tabulations of STS are not morphology‐specific. Further, the lack of inclusion of sarcomas arising in all organs in most standard evaluations underestimates the true rates. We analyzed the 1978–2001 Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results program incidence rates of STS regardless of primary site, except bones and joints, using the 2002 criteria of the WHO classification. There were 26,758 cases available for analysis. Leiomyosarcomas accounted for 23.9%, malignant fibrous histiocytomas 17.1%, liposarcomas 11.5%, dermatofibrosarcomas 10.5%, rhabdomyosarcomas 4.6% and angiosarcomas 4.1%. Almost half (47.9%) of the sarcomas arose in the soft tissues, 14.0% in the skin and 7.0% in the uterus. Overall, incidence rates were highest among black women (6.26/100,000 woman‐years) and the lowest among white women (4.60/100,000). Age‐adjusted rates increased at 1.2% and 0.8% per year among white males and females, respectively, both trends statistically significant, while rates among blacks declined slightly. About 40% of leiomyosarcomas among women were uterine in origin, with a black/white rate ratio of 1.7. This rate ratio increased to 2.0 when we accounted for the lower prevalence of intact uteri among black compared to white women. Total STS rates rose exponentially with age. Rates for both uterine leiomyosarcoma and dermatofibrosarcoma increased rapidly during the childbearing years, peaking at about age 40 and 50, respectively. Incidence patterns of STS varied markedly by histologic type, supporting the notion that these tumors may be etiologically distinct. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Fabrication and in vitro characterization of porous biodegradable composites based on phosphate glasses and oligolactide‐containing polymer networks
Authors: Brauer Delia S. , Rüssel Christian , Vogt Sebastian , Weisser Jürgen , Schnabelrauch Matthias 
Published: September 2006

AbstractDegradable porous composite materials for use as temporary bone replacement or tissue engineering scaffolds were produced using a methacrylate‐modified oligolactide polymer network and phosphate invert glasses in the system P2O5–CaO–MgO–Na2O–(TiO2). Porous glasses with an open interconnective porosity were produced by a salt sintering process. Compressive strengths were significantly enhanced by polymer coating of the inner surface of the porous glasses or by fabrication of glass powder‐reinforced porous polymer specimens. In vitro degradation in simulated body fluid showed a degradation pattern of the composites which could be modulated by the composition and resulting solubility of the incorporated glass phase. Cytocompatibility of the composites was investigated in a FDA/EtBr viability assay using an MC3T3‐E1 osteoblast‐like cell line and showed good biocompatibility of the materials in vitro. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2007
Titanate biomaterials with enhanced antiinflammatory properties
Authors: Contreras Ramiro , Sahlin Herman , Frangos John A. 
Published: September 2006

AbstractWhile titanium implants are generally recognized as having excellent biocompatibility, the mechanistic basis for this has yet to be established. We previously demonstrated that TiO2, found on surfaces of titanium, has antioxidant properties that degrade the reactive oxygen species (ROS) which mediate the inflammatory response. We hypothesized that the antioxidant mechanism was similar to that known to mediate photocatalysis by titanium oxides. Specifically, we investigated whether the electronic or valence state of the surface titanium atoms mediates the catalytic degradation of ROS. Surface Ti(IV) atoms in TiO2 and SrTiO3 single crystal substrates were converted into Ti(III) while maintaining the bulk crystalline structure by vacuum annealing or Niobium doping. The degradation of both chemically‐induced and neutrophil‐derived ROS were significantly increased by changing the valence state of surface titanium. These results suggest that titanium‐mediated degradation of ROS is through a catalytic mechanism. Furthermore, we describe a series of novel biomaterials that have antioxidant properties superior to those of titanium. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2007
Opposite effect of corticosteroids and long‐acting β2‐agonists on serum‐ and TGF‐β1‐induced extracellular matrix deposition by primary human lung fibroblasts
Authors: Goulet Stephanie , Bihl Michel P. , Gambazzi Franco , Tamm Michael , Roth Michael 
Published: September 2006

AbstractAsthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are characterized by chronic airway inflammation and major structural lung tissue changes including increased extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition. Inhaled corticosteroids and long‐acting β2‐agonists (LABA) are the basic treatment for both diseases, but their effect on airway remodeling remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the effect of corticosteroids and LABA, alone or in combination, on total ECM and collagen deposition, gene expression, cell proliferation, and IL‐6, IL‐8, and TGF‐β1 levels by primary human lung fibroblasts. In our model, fibroblasts in 0.3% albumin represented a non‐inflammatory condition and stimulation with 5% FCS and/or TGF‐β1 mimicked an inflammatory environment with activation of tissue repair. FCS (5%) increased total ECM, collagen deposition, cell proliferation, and IL‐6, IL‐8, and TGF‐β1 levels. In 0.3% albumin, corticosteroids reduced total ECM and collagen deposition, involving the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and downregulation of collagen, heat shock protein 47 (Hsp47), and Fli1 mRNA expression. In 5% FCS, corticosteroids increased ECM deposition, involving upregulation of COL4A1 and CTGF mRNA expression. LABA reduced total ECM and collagen deposition under all conditions partly via the β2‐adrenergic receptor. In combination, the drugs had an additive effect in the presence or absence of TGF‐β1 further decreasing ECM deposition in 0.3% albumin whereas counteracting each other in 5% FCS. These data suggest that the effect of corticosteroids, but not of LABA, on ECM deposition by fibroblasts is altered by serum. These findings imply that as soon as airway inflammation is resolved, long‐term treatment with combined drugs may beneficially reduce pathological tissue remodeling. J. Cell. Physiol. 210: 167–176, 2007. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Penicillium commune spore production in solid‐state fermentation of coffee pulp at laboratory scale and in a helical ribbons rotating reactor
Authors: Nava Isaías , Gaime‐Perraud Isabelle , Huerta‐Ochoa Sergio , Favela‐Torres Ernesto , Saucedo‐Castañeda Gerardo 
Published: October 2006

AbstractPenicillium commune was grown on coffee pulp (CP) by solid‐state fermentation (SSF). The effects of the duration of CP thermal treatment and the effects of incubation temperature on spore production yield were studied at laboratory scale. The effect of mixing during fermentation was assayed at pilot plant scale in a 70 L stainless steel non‐aseptic reactor equipped with helical ribbons for mixing solids. For thermal treatments of CP at 121 °C for 10, 20, 30 and 40 min, no significant difference in spore production yield was observed. Maximum sporulation yield was found at 25 °C; when the incubation temperature was higher than 30 °C, the sporulation yield decreased significantly. A spore production yield of 3.7 × 109 spores g−1 dry CP was obtained when continuous mixing (0.25 rpm) was used at pilot plant scale; however, a decrease in spore yield (1.4 × 109 spores g−1 dry CP) was observed under static conditions. Spore production was not affected when a scale factor between 79 and 105 was assayed from laboratory to pilot plant; at this level, the productivity obtained was 3.1 × 107 spores g−1 dry CP h−1. This value is similar to that found in other reports using natural substrates but working at a smaller scale. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry
A comparison of slurry sampling electrothermal vaporization and slurry nebulization inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry for the direct determination of trace impurities in titanium dioxide powder
Authors: Xiang Guoqiang , Hu Bin , Jiang Zucheng , Gong Chuqing 
Published: September 2006

AbstractA comparison of slurry sampling (SS)‐ETV‐ICP‐MS and slurry nebulization (SN)‐ICP‐MS for direct determination of trace impurities in titanium dioxide powder is made. The particle size effect, matrix effect and analytical characteristics of SSETV‐ICP‐MS and SN‐ICP‐MS are compared. The results have shown that SSETV‐ICP‐MS has a lower particle size effect and matrix effect compared to SN‐ICP‐MS. The analytical performance of the two methods reveals that SSETV‐ICP‐MS and SN‐ICP‐MS have similar relative detection limits (in the nanogram per liter level); however, the former has a lower absolute detection limit than the latter. Although the precision for SSETV‐ICP‐MS is a little worse than that for SN‐ICP‐MS, it is still acceptable for real sample analysis. The two methods were successfully applied for the determination of trace impurities in titanium dioxide powder samples with particle sizes of less than 50 nm, but only SSETV‐ICP‐MS could be applied for the determination of trace impurities in titanium dioxide powder samples with a particle size of 1 µm. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Carbon costs of nitrate reduction in broad bean (Vicia fabaL.) and pea (Pisum sativumL.) plants
Authors: Schilling Günther , Adgo Enyew , Schulze Joachim 
Published: September 2006

AbstractThe present study aimed at the assessment of carbon (C) costs for nitrate reduction by measuring the additional CO2amounts released from roots of nitrate‐fed plants in comparison with urea‐fed plants. Only roots were suitable for these determinations, because nitrate reduction in illuminated shoots is fed nearly exclusively by reducing equivalents coming directly from photosynthetic processes. Therefore, in a first experiment, the sites of nitrate reduction were determined in nodule‐free broad bean (Vicia fabaL.) and pea (Pisum sativumL.) plants grown in pots filled with quartz sand and supplied with KNO3. The extent of nitrate reduction in the various plant organs was determined by measuringin vitronitrate reductase activity andin situ15NO$ _3^- $reduction. Only between 9% and 16% of nitrate were reduced in roots of German pea cultivars, whilst 52% to 65% were reduced in broad bean roots. Therefore, C costs of the process could be determined only in broad bean, using an additional pot experiment. The C costs amounted to about 4.76 mol C (mol N)–1or 4 mg C (mg N)–1, similar to those measured earlier for N2fixation. The high proportion of nitrate reduction in shoots of pea plants implies that only very little C is required for this nitrate fraction. This can explain the better root growth of nitrate‐nourished pea plants in comparison with N2‐fixing organisms, which need C compounds for N2reduction in roots. Moreover, a different availability of photosynthates in roots of plant genotypes could explain physiologically the occurrence of “shoot and root reducers” in nature.
Genetic variation in nitrogen‐use efficiency of tef
Authors: Balcha Alemayehu , Gretzmacher Ralph , Vollmann Johann 
Published: September 2006

AbstractTef (Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter) is the ancient and most important cereal food crop of Ethiopia. A set of 20 tef genotypes was investigated in field experiments at three environments in Ethiopia to estimate genetic variation in nitrogen (N)‐use efficiency and in characters related to N accumulation as well as their relationships to grain yield. In each environment, genotypes representing both widely grown landraces and recently released cultivars were grown under three N‐fertilizer rates (0, 4, and 8 g m–2 N). In grain yield, modern cultivars were superior to landraces, whereas in other characters, differences were less clear. The variation in grain yield was significantly related to the variation in total grain N and total plant N. Grain yield weakly correlated with N‐utilization efficiency and N harvest index. Broad sense heritability was higher for grain yield, total grain N, total plant N, and N harvest index than for N‐use, N‐uptake, and N‐utilization efficiencies. The contribution of uptake efficiency to the variation in N‐use efficiency decreased from 75% to 55% and that of utilization efficiency increased from 22% to 43% at the 4 to 8 g m–2 N‐supply rate change. This study clearly suggests that tef N‐use efficiency would be increased by selecting genotypes with greater uptake efficiency at low N‐supply levels.
On the Crystal Structure of Isotactic cis‐1,4‐Poly(1,3‐pentadiene)
Authors: Napolitano Roberto 
Published: September 2006

AbstractSummary: A comparison between the crystal structure of isotactic cis‐1,4‐poly(1,3‐pentadiene) previously predicted by molecular mechanics calculations and that successively determined by other authors by experimental data is reported. The agreement between the two structures is very good as far as the space group, the unit cell parameters and the conformation of the polymer chain are concerned. The mode of packing of the chains proposed in the experimental crystal structure is very similar to that found as relative minimum in the previous energy calculations. The coexistence, in different amounts, of these two modes of packing is suggested by the analysis of the simulated X‐ray spectra and by the results of new energy calculations.A mode of packing of chains of isotactic cis‐1,4‐poly(1,3‐pentadiene).magnified imageA mode of packing of chains of isotactic cis‐1,4‐poly(1,3‐pentadiene).
Compartmentalization in Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization (ATRP) in Dispersed Systems
Authors: Kagawa Yasuyuki , Zetterlund Per B. , Minami Hideto , Okubo Masayoshi 
Published: September 2006

AbstractSummary: Compartmentalization in atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) in dispersed systems at low conversion (<10%) has been investigated by means of a modified Smith–Ewart equation focusing on the system n‐butyl acrylate/CuBr/4,4′‐dinonyl‐2,2′‐dipyridyl at 110 °C. Compartmentalization of both propagating radicals and deactivator was accounted for in the simulations. As the particle diameter (d) decreases below 70 nm, the polymerization rate (Rp) at 10% conversion increases relative to the corresponding bulk system, goes through a maximum at 60 nm, and thereafter decreases dramatically as d decreases further. This behavior is caused by the separate effects of compartmentalization (segregation and confined space effects) on bimolecular termination and deactivation. The very low Rp for small particles (d < 30 nm) is due to the pseudo first‐order deactivation rate coefficient being proportional to d−3.Simulated propagating radical concentration ([P•]) as a function of particle diameter (d) at 10% conversion for ATRP of n‐butyl acrylate ([nBA]0 = 7.1 M, [PBr]0 = [CuBr/dNbpy]0 = 35.5 mM) in a dispersed system at 110 °C. The dotted line indicates the simulated [P•] in bulk at 10% conversion.magnified imageSimulated propagating radical concentration ([P•]) as a function of particle diameter (d) at 10% conversion for ATRP of n‐butyl acrylate ([nBA]0 = 7.1 M, [PBr]0 = [CuBr/dNbpy]0 = 35.5 mM) in a dispersed system at 110 °C. The dotted line indicates the simulated [P•] in bulk at 10% conversion.