bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Functional modification of biodegradable polyesters through a chemoselective approach: application to biomaterial surfaces
Authors: Taniguchi Ikuo , Kuhlman William A , Mayes Anne M , Griffith Linda G 
Published: October 2006

AbstractThis paper presents an overview of functional modifications of synthetic aliphatic polyesters and a new synthetic route to graft functional moieties onto the polyester backbone by a chemoselective approach. Aminooxy groups react efficiently and selectively with ketones or aldehydes to form oxime linkages under mild reaction conditions without catalysts, even in the presence of other functional groups. Chemoselective coupling of aminooxy‐terminated poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) onto ketone‐bearing poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL) was exploited to prepare comb‐shaped copolymers that exhibit cell resistance when the PEO content is above 30 wt%. The free hydroxyl groups of PEO chain ends allowed further incorporation of cell signaling peptides including the sequence RGD. The results show chemoselective coupling to be a promising general route for introducing functional pendant groups onto most polyesters obtained by ring‐opening polymerization without backbone degradation. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry
Dual photo‐ and thermally initiated cationic polymerization of epoxy monomers
Authors: Crivello James V. , Bulut Umut 
Published: October 2006

AbstractSelective inhibition of the photoinitiated cationic ring‐opening polymerization of epoxides by dialkyl sulfides has provided dual systems that can be “activated” by UV irradiation and then subsequently be polymerized by the application of heat. It is proposed that dialkyl sulfides terminate the initial or growing polyether chains at an early stage to form stable trialkylsulfonium salts. These systems are dormant at room temperature but on thermolysis, the sulfonium salts are capable of reinitiating ring‐opening polymerization. These dual photo‐ and thermal cure systems have potential applications in adhesives, potting resins, and composites. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 6750–6764, 2006
Do parents' marital circumstances predict young adults' DSM‐IV cannabis use disorders? A prospective study
Authors: Hayatbakhsh Mohammad R. , Najman Jake M. , Jamrozik Konrad , Mamun Abdullah A. , Alati Rosa 
Published: October 2006

ABSTRACTAims  To determine whether parental marital status and marital quality in adolescence are associated with cannabis use disorders in young adults.Design  Prospective birth cohort study.Setting  A 21‐year follow‐up of 4815 mothers and their children who participated at 14 years after the child's birth in Queensland, Australia.Participants  Cohort of 2303 young adults who completed the life‐time version of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview–computerized version (CIDI‐Auto) at the 21‐year follow‐up.Measurements  Young adults' cannabis use disorders were assessed using the CIDI‐Auto. Marital status and quality (marital circumstances) and potential confounding factors such as socio‐economic status (SES), maternal mental health and maternal substance use were measured when the child was 14 years of age.Findings  Marital circumstances of the mother when child was aged 14 years predicted risk of cannabis use disorders in their offspring. After adjustment for potential confounding factors, adolescents who grew up in step‐father families were more likely to have cannabis use disorders in early adulthood and a moderate association was found for those children who experienced maternal marital disagreement [odds ratio (OR) = 1.7; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.0, 2.9]. There was no significant increase in subsequent risk of cannabis use disorders for children whose mothers were unpartnered at 14 years.Conclusions  Maternal marital status and marital quality are associated with young adults' subsequent cannabis use disorders. This association is independent of suspected confounding factors measured at 14 years. However, at least part of the association is explained by changes in marital status before 14 years.
Spring photosynthesis in a cool temperate bog
Authors: MOORE TIM R. , LAFLEUR PETER M. , POON DIANE M. I. , HEUMANN BENJAMIN W. , SEAQUIST J. W. , ROULET NIGEL T. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractIn northern ecosystems, the onset and growth of spring photosynthesis may have an important influence on the annual carbon (C) budget, yet the controls have not been clearly identified, especially for peatlands. We used a 5‐year set of daily carbon dioxide (CO2) exchange measurements derived from an eddy covariance tower located at Mer Bleue, an ombrotrophic bog near Ottawa, Canada, from March to May [day‐of‐year (DOY) 60–150], 1999–2003. We used half‐hourly measured net ecosystem exchange minus modelled ecosystem respiration to estimate daily photosynthesis, as gross ecosystem production (GEP). The onset of GEP in each year was closely related to the thinning and disappearance of the snow cover, occurring between DOY 86 and 101. GEP increased during the spring, reaching 10‐day average values of between 5 and 9 g CO2 m−2 day−1 by the end of May. This increase was initially associated with moss activity (Sphagnum and Polytrichum), followed by the evergreen shrubs. Peat temperatures in the rooting zone (10–20 cm depth) and increases in shrub leaf nitrogen and chlorophyll a concentrations contributed to this rapid increase in GEP. Examination of moderate‐resolution imaging spectroradiometer (MODIS) images over several years revealed that the temporal resolution (16‐day composites) was inadequate to capture the onset of GEP but estimates of gross primary productivity and photosynthesis from MODIS 8‐day composites for the most part followed the pattern and magnitude of CO2 exchange observed at the tower.
Impairment of p38 MAPK‐mediated cytosolic phospholipase A2 activation in the kidneys is associated with pathogenicity of Candida albicans
Authors: Choi Jung‐Hwa , Choi Eun Kyoung , Park Sung Jun , Ko Hyun‐Mi , Kim Kyoung‐Jin , Han Su‐Ji , Choi Il‐Whan , Im Suhn‐Young 
Published: October 2006

SummaryIn studying the mechanisms underlying the susceptibility of the kidney to candidal infection, we previously reported that the reduced production of cytokines [i.e. tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α)] via platelet‐activating factor (PAF)‐induced activation of nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB) renders the organ susceptible to the fungal burden. In this study, we investigated the possibility that pathogenic Candida albicans may evade clearance and perhaps even multiply by inhibiting elements in the signalling pathway that lead to the production of TNF‐α. The fungal burden of pathogenic C. albicans in the kidneys was 104−105‐fold higher than that of a non‐pathogenic strain. PAF‐induced early activation of NF‐κB and TNF‐α mRNA expression were both observed in the kidneys of mice infected with non‐pathogenic strains of C. albicans, but not in mice infected with pathogenic strains. Impairment of PAF‐mediated early NF‐κB activation following infection with pathogenic C. albicans was associated with the prevention of activation of the enzyme cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2) as well as the upstream pathway of cPLA2, p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase. Collectively, these findings indicate that C. albicans exerts its pathogenicity through impairing the production of anticandidal cytokines by preventing cPLA2 activity. This novel mechanism provides insight into understanding pathogenic C. albicans and perhaps identifies a target for its treatment.
Biomarkers of ovulation, endometrial receptivity, fertilisation, implantation and early pregnancy progression
Authors: Campbell Kenneth L. , Rockett John C. 
Published: October 2006

SummaryIncreasing interest in early preconception and periconception exposures and human developmental outcomes has led to studies that monitor subjects from before conception to gestation, birth and childhood. Monitoring ovulation, endometrial receptivity, fertilisation, implantation and gestation requires the non‐invasive collection of biological information and samples, and the measurement of biochemical and biological markers (biomarkers) that are associated with the aforementioned physiological events. This paper describes some of the key features of biomarkers needed for epidemiological studies, identifies some existing and potential biomarkers and available measurement devices, and suggests some directions for identification and development of new biomarkers that might be employed in longitudinal studies involving the analysis of female reproductive function and of embryonic development.
Day‐specific pregnancy probability estimation in barrier contraceptive effectiveness trials
Authors: Dominik Rosalie , Chen Pai‐Lien 
Published: October 2006

SummaryWe apply an extension of a statistical model developed in the fertility research setting to the barrier contraceptive trial setting to obtain estimates of the probability of pregnancy per cycle day in the presence or absence of barrier use among participants of a randomised trial of female barrier contraceptives. The per cycle day pregnancy curve for the barrier trial participants was similar to previously published results from a fertility study that included a precise indicator of ovulation day. In addition, our analysis showed strong contraceptive effects for the diaphragm. The proposed modelling approach should allow evaluation of the effects of other coitus‐specific exposures on the chance of pregnancy in other prospective studies, including fertility studies.
The Oxford Conception Study design and recruitment experience
Authors: Pyper Cecilia , Bromhall Lise , Dummett Sarah , Altman Douglas G. , Brownbill Pat , Murphy Michael 
Published: October 2006

SummaryThe Oxford Conception Study is a randomised controlled trial that aims to determine whether or not information about potential fertility from a device that monitors urinary hormones will increase the conception rate in women wishing to conceive. Three modified versions of a fertility monitor have been developed for the study. The monitor measures the levels of urinary oestrone‐3‐glucuronide (E3G) and luteinising hormone (LH), and the display indicates high or low fertility. The monitor requests all women to test their urine from day 6 to day 25 of the menstrual cycle inclusive. One‐third of women are randomised to receive information from the fertility monitor about the early fertile time (from the first rise in E3G until the LH surge is detected), one‐third receive information about the late fertile time (the onset of the LH surge and the following 2 days), and a third do not receive any information (control group). All the women are followed up for 6 months or until they are pregnant. A total of 1453 women have been recruited into the study, reaching the study recruitment goal for 80% power to detect a 10% difference in three‐cycle pregnancy rate between the Late Fertile Time group (50%) and the Control group (40%), allowing for a 15% non‐pregnancy drop‐out rate. Follow‐up of the women is currently ongoing.The primary analysis will compare the cumulative three‐cycle pregnancy rate between each of the study arms. Time‐specific conception probabilities will be estimated from coitus information recorded in 12‐h intervals. The data from this study will also allow many additional questions to be addressed, including changes in intercourse patterns with feedback about the fertile days and other questions in relation to menstrual cycle function, sexual intercourse, stress, exposures to tobacco products, alcohol, caffeine and medications, fertility and pregnancy outcomes. In addition to presenting the study design, we review the recruitment experience for the Oxford Conception Study. We have achieved sustained and effective recruitment over time by primary use of recruiting via the Internet.
Seasonal variation in heat shock proteins Hsp70 and Hsp90 expression in an exposed and a shaded habitat ofIris pumila
Authors: MANITAŠEVIĆ SANJA , DUNÐERSKI JADRANKA , MATIĆ GORDANA , TUCIĆ BRANKA 
Published: October 2006

ABSTRACTSeasonal variation in heat shock proteins Hsp70 and Hsp90 expression was studied in the leaves of two naturally growingIris pumilapopulations, one inhabiting an open dune site, and the other the understorey of aPinus silvestrisstand. The Hsps were quantified by an immunoblotting procedure. The level of the Hsps was found to vary significantly both across seasons and between habitats. The mean Hsp70 concentration was significantly greater at the open area than in the woodland understorey, reaching its maximum in the summer, especially in plants experiencing full sunlight. Two Hsp90 isoforms, referred to as Hsp90a (86 kDa) and Hsp90b (84 kDa), were detected. At both habitats, the level of Hsp90a was highest in autumn, that of Hsp90b in spring, whereas both of them reached a nadir in summer. Throughout the growing season, the relative abundance of Hsp90b was higher in plants growing under vegetation canopy in comparison to those inhabiting the open dune site. An inverse relationship between the phenotypic variation in specific leaf area and the level of Hsp90b over seasons at both habitats was observed, suggesting the role of this protein in buffering phenotypic variation in the wild.
Adjustment of Parental Investment in the Dung Beetle Onthophagus atripennis (Col., Scarabaeidae)
Authors: Kishi Shigeki , Nishida Takayoshi 
Published: October 2006

AbstractIf parents can invest resources optimally per offspring, they should adjust the amount of investment in an offspring according to environmental heterogeneity. Many studies have demonstrated changes in egg size or the amount of resource supplied in response to environmental heterogeneity. However, it remains unclear whether parents simply know the resource type a priori or can assess resource quality and adjust the quantity of investment accordingly. We examined the parental capability to adjust the amount of investment per offspring by providing Onthophagus atripennis dung beetle parents with one of three dung types of different quality: monkey dung (high quality), cow dung (low quality), or a mixture of monkey and cow dung (medium quality). The beetle parents cooperatively produce dung brood masses each with one egg under the ground. The size of a brood mass, on which a larva can only feed until adult, represents a large part of the amount of investment. Parents produced a greater number of smaller brood masses given high‐quality resource, while they compensated for low quality of the resource by providing a larger amount of the resource, at the cost of offspring number. However, despite this compensation in the amount of food, offspring raised on low‐quality food was still smaller than offspring raised on high‐quality food. Thus, O. atripennis parents assessed resource quality partly and adjusted the amount of resource provided for their offspring.
Attack byHylobius warrenion grafted lodgepole pine and its relationships with monoterpene composition and scion : rootstock diameter ratio
Authors: Duke Linnea , Lindgren B. Staffan 
Published: October 2006

Abstract1 A lodgepole pine seed orchard at the Prince George Tree Improvement Station (PGTIS), with up to 60% of grafted trees attacked by the Warren root collar weevilHylobius warreniwas investigated to determine whether relative monoterpene composition or scion : rootstock interactions of grafts affected susceptibility to attack.2 There was a significant relationship between relative levels of α‐pinene, β‐thujene, β‐pinene, δ‐3‐carene and limonene in scion and rootstock in unattacked trees, indicating a potential effect of the scion monoterpene composition on their composition in the rootstock.3 Relative content of δ‐3‐carene and β‐phellandrene differed significantly in root stocks of attacked and unattacked trees but, for individual clones, a significant difference was only detected for β‐phellandrene in one clone. δ‐3‐Carene levels may have been too low in the examined trees to exert a strong effect.4 Interestingly, attack status was significantly associated with two scion monoterpenes: α‐thujene and α‐terpinolene, both of which had higher levels in unattacked than in attacked trees.5 Warren root collar weevils appear largely unaffected by monoterpene content, but further study is required to determine whether high levels of δ‐3‐carene imparts some level of resistance to attack, and to verify whether the observed effects of scion monoterpenes are real or artefacts of the analysis.6 Hylobius warreni‐attacked trees had smaller scion : rootstock diameter ratio (i.e. a large rootstock diameter relative to the scion diameter) than unattacked trees. This effect was consistent among clones, and was not due to the absolute diameter of the rootstock or the scion. Trees with increased diameter‐growth at the root collar (e.g. some grafted trees) may have increased susceptibility to attack byH. warreni, or diameter‐growth at the root collar is affected by the attack.
Trends in disposable income among teenage boys and girls in Finland from 1977 to 2003
Authors: Lintonen Tomi P. , Wilska Terhi‐Anna , Koivusilta Leena K. , Konu Anne I. 
Published: October 2006

AbstractThis article explores changes in the money Finnish young people aged 12–18 years have at their disposal, over a 26‐year period 1977–2003. Previous studies suggest that the amount of money young people have is not necessarily dependent on traditional socio‐economic variables, but there are no systematic studies on the development of the disposable income of the teenagers. The analyses of this study are based on a series of 14 biannual nationally representative surveys of 12‐, 14‐, 16‐ and 18‐year‐olds in Finland from 1977 to 2003, with a total of 84 404 respondents. Time‐trends are shown and analysed by gender, family structure, place of residence and socio‐economic status of family using analysis of variance and linear regression modelling. The results show that teenagers’ disposable money has increased little between 1977 and 2003 in comparison with the general income development. Economic booms and depressions can be seen in rising and falling amounts of disposal money, particularly among 16‐ to 18‐year‐old respondents. There were also significant differences between the genders. Young boys clearly had more money at their disposal than young girls. Children of single parents had more money than their peers from nuclear families. Urban youth had more money than those living in the countryside and the difference increased during the period under examination. The socio‐economic position of the family had little impact.
Adolescents’ attitudes towards organic food: a survey of 15‐ to 16‐year old school children
Authors: Stobbelaar Derk Jan , Casimir Gerda , Borghuis Josine , Marks Inge , Meijer Laurens , Zebeda Simone 
Published: October 2006

AbstractAdolescents are the consumers of tomorrow; therefore policies aimed at increasing organic food consumption should address the needs of this group. To discover their attitudes towards organic food and their knowledge of the subject, a survey among almost 700 school children aged 15–16 years was conducted. Four main groups of questions were used: adolescents’ knowledge of organic food, attitudes, whether they bought organic food and the perceived influences they exerted on the buying patterns of their parents. From the survey it can be concluded that adolescents’ attitudes towards organic food are positive, but their knowledge of and their willingness to buy it are low. Campaigns aimed at encouraging the purchasing of organic food targeted at adolescents should particularly emphasize those characteristics of organic foods that they can relate to their interests and ethical preferences, for example, animal welfare and environmental considerations.
Escaping a silent world: profound hearing loss, cochlear implants and household interaction
Authors: Ross Liz , Lyon Phil 
Published: October 2006

AbstractFor some people with profound hearing loss, cochlear implants offer a way back to patterns of communication that most of us take for granted. Travel, shopping and work contexts are largely dependent on the ability to recognize and respond to speech. This study examined implant user and partner perspectives on problems and coping strategies. The aim was to map the experiences of adults and their hearing partners living with deafness; and the changes brought about by cochlear implant use.Information was gathered by means of recorded joint interviews in a semi‐structured form with implant users and their partners. Interview themes including social isolation, employment difficulties and loss of confidence emerged as main difficulties prior to implantation. All participants were positive regarding the use of cochlear implants and, after implantation, benefits accrued in communication and social interaction. Provision of multidisciplinary support and consumer information for severe/profoundly hearing impaired adults was seen as problematic. Sample size – six couples – reflected the limited number of adult cochlear implant operations performed in Scotland. However, the results indicate their interactional experiences to be worthy of further investigation on a larger scale.
High oxidative damage levels in the longest‐living rodent, the naked mole‐rat
Authors: Andziak Blazej , O’Connor Timothy P. , Qi Wenbo , DeWaal Eric M. , Pierce Anson , Chaudhuri Asish R. , Van Remmen Holly , Buffenstein Rochelle 
Published: October 2006

SummaryOxidative stress is reputed to be a significant contributor to the aging process and a key factor affecting species longevity. The tremendous natural variation in maximum species lifespan may be due to interspecific differences in reactive oxygen species generation, antioxidant defenses and/or levels of accrued oxidative damage to cellular macromolecules (such as DNA, lipids and proteins). The present study tests if the exceptional longevity of the longest living (> 28.3 years) rodent species known, the naked mole‐rat (NMR, Heterocephalus glaber), is associated with attenuated levels of oxidative stress. We compare antioxidant defenses (reduced glutathione, GSH), redox status (GSH/GSSG), as well as lipid (malondialdehyde and isoprostanes), DNA (8‐OHdG), and protein (carbonyls) oxidation levels in urine and various tissues from both mole‐rats and similar‐sized mice. Significantly lower GSH and GSH/GSSG in mole‐rats indicate poorer antioxidant capacity and a surprisingly more pro‐oxidative cellular environment, manifested by 10‐fold higher levels of in vivo lipid peroxidation. Furthermore, mole‐rats exhibit greater levels of accrued oxidative damage to lipids (twofold), DNA (~two to eight times) and proteins (1.5 to 2‐fold) than physiologically age‐matched mice, and equal to that of same‐aged mice. Given that NMRs live an order of magnitude longer than predicted based on their body size, our findings strongly suggest that mechanisms other than attenuated oxidative stress explain the impressive longevity of this species.
The physical and chemical properties of eumelanin
Authors: Meredith Paul , Sarna Tadeusz 
Published: October 2006

SummaryIn this article, we review the current state of knowledge concerning the physical and chemical properties of the eumelanin pigment. We examine properties related to its photoprotective functionality, and draw the crucial link between fundamental molecular structure and observable macroscopic behaviour. Where necessary, we also briefly review certain aspects of the pheomelanin literature to draw relevant comparison. A full understanding of melanin function, and indeed its role in retarding or promoting the disease state, can only be obtained through a full mapping of key structure–property relationships in the main pigment types. We are engaged in such an endeavor for the case of eumelanin.