bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cag Repeat Number in Androgen Receptor Gene and Male Infertility
Authors: Plaseski T , Noveski P , Dimitrovski C , Kocevska B , Efremov G , Plaseska-Karanfilska D 
Published: May 2008

Cag Repeat Number in Androgen Receptor Gene and Male InfertilityAndrogens are essential for male sexual development and for fertility. They exert their action through the androgen receptor (AR), a ligandactivated transcription factor. The 5' end of exon 1 of the AR gene includes a polymorphic CAG triplet repeat that varies in number between 10 to 36 in the normal population. There is controversy over an association between high CAG repeat numbers in the AR gene and male infertility. We have evaluated the possible effect of long CAG repeats in the AR on infertility in men from the Republic of Macedonia (R. Macedonia). A group of 222 infertile/subfertile males with different sperm counts and a control group of 152 proven fathers were studied. The CAG repeat number was determined by fluorescent polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of exon 1 of the AR gene analyzed by capillary electrophoresis. Mean CAG length did not differ significantly between males with azoospermia (22.0 ± 3.1), mild oligozoospermia (22.4 ± 2.6), severe oligozoospermia (23.0 ± 4.2), normozoospermia (21.8 ± 2.4), or known causes of infertility (22.1 ± 2.9) and fertile controls (22.3 ± 2.9). However, we found a significantly higher percentage of CAG repeats >26 (p= 0.022), >27 (p= 0.018) and >28 (p= 0.009) in males with mild oligozoospermia. These results indicate a possible association between CAG repeat length and mild oligozoospermia. Further studies on a larger number of patients with mild oligozoospermia are warranted to confirm this association.
A New Silent β Chain Variant: Hb Hounslow [β80(EF4)Asn→Tyr]
Authors: Préhu C , Riou J , Henthorn J , Wajcman H 
Published: May 2008

A New Silent β Chain Variant: Hb Hounslow [β80(EF4)Asn→Tyr]We report a new neutral hemoglobin (Hb) variant, found, during neonatal screening, in a child originating from Afghanistan. This variant was revealed by cation exchange and reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), but was silent in electrophoretic methods except for globin chain electrophoresis in the presence of urea and Triton X-100. The structural modification was determined by protein structure studies and the substitution established by tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). The mutation, located near to the 2,3-diphosphoglycerate (2,3-DPG) binding site, was without any hematological consequences. The pitfalls presented by the presence of neutral Hb variants as modulator factors of the main hemoglobinopathies is discussed.
Characterization of Small Supernumerary Marker Chromosomes By A Simple Molecular and Molecular Cytogenetics Approach
Authors: Liehr T , Trifonov V , Polityko A , Brecevic L , Mrasek K , Weise A , Ewers E , Reich D , Iourov I , Mkrtchyan H , Manvelyan M , Kosyakova N 
Published: May 2008

Characterization of Small Supernumerary Marker Chromosomes By A Simple Molecular and Molecular Cytogenetics ApproachSmall supernumerary marker chromosomes (sSMC) are still a major problem especially in prenatal cytogenetic diagnostics and counseling. These structurally abnormal chromosomes cannot be identified or characterized unambiguously by conventional banding cytogenetics alone, and are generally about the size of or smaller than a chromosome 20 in the same metaphase spread. We describe a straightforward algorithm, based on data from 2,211 reported cases (http://www.markerchromosomes.ag.vu) to quickly characterize the sSMC's chromosomal origin.
An Sry-Positive 46,XX Male
Authors: Kaur A , Sachdeva K , Mahajan S , Virk S , Singh J 
Published: May 2008

An Sry-Positive 46,XX MaleThe 46,XX karyotype in a male is a rare sex chromosomal disorder. It mostly results from unequal crossovers between the X and Y chromosomes during meiosis. We here report a 32-year-old infertile male in whom seminal analysis showed azoospermia. Chromosomal analysis revealed a 46,XX karyotype and fluorescentin situhybridization (FISH) showed the presence of the SRY gene. This report highlights the value of karyotyping and FISH analysis in cases of infertility.
Energy Use and Related Risk Management Problems in CEE Countries
Authors: Ney R. , Michna J. , Ekmanis J. , Zeltins N. , Zebergs V. 
Published: May 2008

Energy Use and Related Risk Management Problems in CEE Countries
Nowadays, the efficiency of energy use in the Central and East-European (CEE) countries is insufficient, being much lower than in the "Old Europe". The problem becomes increasingly pressing due to non-stop increasing prices of energy carriers (especially of crude oil). The authors trace the development of research activities in this sphere, classifying the revealed changes in parameters of energy consumption processes in particular time intervals into deterministic, probabilistic, and fuzzy. The paper presents a thorough analysis of decision-making in the energy management at its different levels - normative, strategic, and operative. Particular attention is given to the management under uncertainty conditions - i.e. to the risk management. The most wanted research directions in this area proposed by the energy and environment policy (EEP) Center specially created for CEE countries concern management under risk connected with innovations, international activities, loss of reputation, etc. The authors consider in detail the risk management with insufficient knowledge (non-knowledge) and under chaos. Much consideration is given to the scenario management and the game theory principles as related to the sphere of energy use.
Aerobic Oxidation of Cyclohexane using N‐Hydroxyphthalimide Bearing Fluoroalkyl Chains
Authors: Guha Samar Kumar , Obora Yasushi , Ishihara Daisuke , Matsubara Hiroshi , Ryu Ilhyong , Ishii Yasutaka 
Published: May 2008

AbstractThe N‐hydroxyphthalimide derivatives, F15‐ and F17‐NHPI, bearing a long fluorinated alkyl chain, were prepared and their catalytic performances were compared with that of the parent compound, N‐hydroxyphthalimide (NHPI). The oxidation of cyclohexane under 10 atm of air in the presence of fluorinated F15‐ or F17‐NHPI, cobalt diacetate [Co(OAc)2], and manganese diacetate [Mn(OAc)2] without any solvent at 100 °C afforded a mixture of cyclohexanol and cyclohexanone (K/A oil) as major products along with a small amount of adipic acid. It was found that F15‐ and F17‐NHPI exhibit higher catalytic activity than NHPI for the oxidation of cyclohexane without a solvent. However, for the oxidation in acetic acid all of these catalysts afforded adipic acid as a major product in good yield and the catalytic activity of NHPI in acetic acid was almost the same as those of F15‐ and F17‐NHPI. The oxidation by F15‐ and F17‐NHPI catalysts in trifluorotoluene afforded K/A oil in high selectivity with little formation of adipic acid, while NHPI was a poor catalyst under these conditions, forming K/A oil as well as adipic acid in very low yields. The oxidation in trifluorotoluene by F15‐ and F17‐NHPI catalysts was considerably accelerated by the addition of a small amount of zirconium(IV) acetylacetonate [Zr(acac)4] to the present catalytic system to afford selectively K/A oil, but no such effect was observed in the NHPI‐catalyzed oxidation in trifluorotoluene.
Regioselective Heck Reaction of N‐Vinylphthalimide: A General Strategy for the Synthesis of (E)‐N‐Styrylphthalimides and Phenethylamines
Authors: Alacid Emilio , Nájera Carmen 
Published: May 2008

AbstractThe arylation of N‐vinylphthalimide takes place at the β‐position with aryl iodides, bromides and chlorides using palladium acetate [Pd(OAc)2] or phenone oxime‐derived palladacycles as catalysts under phosphine‐free conditions. The reaction is succesfully carried out in organic solvents, such as DMF, in the presence of an organic base, such as dicyclohexylmethylamine, and with TBAB as additive at 120 °C under conventional or microwave heating. (E)‐N‐Styrylphthalimides are mainly obtained using a rather low palladium loading (0.05–1 mol%). Similar catalytic efficiency is observed using a Kaiser oxime resin‐derived palladacycle, which allows reuse of the polymeric complex for three cycles. The high regioselectivity observed supports that these palladacycles work as a source of Pd(0) species operating mainly through a neutral mechanism. The syntheses of 2‐thienylphenethylamine and mescaline have been performed by subsequent hydrogenation with Wilkinson’s catalyst and hydrazinolysis.
Late reactivation of resolved hepatitis B virus infection: An increasing complication post rituximab‐based regimens treatment?
Authors: Garcia‐Rodriguez Maria J. , Canales Miguel A. , Hernandez‐Maraver Dolores , Hernandez‐Navarro Fernando 
Published: May 2008

AbstractReactivation of hepatitis B infection is an increasing problem for patients with lymphoma, even in resolved infections, who were treated with rituximab‐based regimens. Our cases point out the need of prolonged prophylaxis in HBsAg‐negative patients due to the high risk of developing fatal reactivation. Am. J. Hematol., 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Relationships between lower limb cross‐sectional geometry and mobility: The case of a Neolithic sample from Italy
Authors: Marchi Damiano 
Published: May 2008

AbstractThis study investigates the relationships between lower limb robusticity and mobility in a Neolithic sample (LIG) from Italy (6th millennium BP). This study tests the hypothesis that the high femoral robusticity previously observed in the LIG sample is a consequence of the subsistence strategy (i.e., high mobility on uneven terrain) practiced by LIG. Cross‐sectional geometric properties of the femur and tibia at midshaft of LIG (eight males and eight females) were collected and results compared to Late Upper Paleolithic (12 males, five females), Mesolithic (24 males, 8 females), and Eneolithic (28 males, 17 females) samples from other sites throughout Europe. The results show that the LIG sample does not show the reduction of lower limb robusticity that is characteristic of the Eneolithic sample, but rather that the LIG sample is most similar to the earlier, highly mobile, populations. This high level of robusticity in the LIG sample could reflect both their pastoral subsistence strategy combined with a rugged environment, as well as their earlier temporal position within the Neolithic. The results of this study further point to significant variation in male‐female mobility patterns in the region, also possibly related to pastoral behavioral patterns. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Synthesis and photoisomerization behavior of a novel thiazolylazo polyimide
Authors: Yan Maolin , Jiang Fusong , Zhao Xu , Liu Na 
Published: May 2008

AbstractPolyimide (PI) with thiazolylazo side chain was prepared via a post azocoupling reaction scheme. The PI film could easily be obtained by spin coating and consequent imidization from the precursor polymer, which was soluble in several polar organic solvents such as N‐methyl‐2‐ketopyrrolidine and N,N‐dimethylformarride. The polymer showed a reverse trans–cis photoisomerization when irradiated by the lights of 365 nm and 440 nm. The glass‐transition temperature (Tg) and temperature at 10% of weight loss under N2 of the polymer are 138.9°C and 510.6°C, respectively, which confirm that the thermal stability of the polymer is quite good. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Sheet molding compound characterization using spiral flow
Authors: Rabinovich Michael , Olsavsky Kate L. , Leach Burr (Bud) , Cabrera‐Ríos Mauricio , Castro José M. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractSheet molding compound (SMC) is a fiber‐reinforced polymeric composite. It is often used in automotive, marine, and industrial applications over other materials because of its high strength to density ratio, resistance to corrosion, and low cost. There is a demand in the SMC industry to be able to characterize SMC processability. This is particularly true for heavy truck body panels, one of the fastest growing applications of SMC. Because of their large size and high strength requirement, the molding forces have a major influence in the molding cycle. Also because of the long flow paths involved, the ability of the paste to carry glass needs to be properly characterized when developing new SMC materials. In this article, we demonstrate the benefits of using spiral flow as a processability tester. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Miscibility studies of xanthan gum with gelatin in dilute solution
Authors: Basavaraju K. C. , Jayaraju J. , Rai S. K. , Damappa T. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractMiscibility of polysaccharide‐based natural polymer, xanthan gum with gelatin in 0.1M NaCl medium was investigated using viscosity, ultrasonic, and refractive index technique. The effect of temperature on the miscibility was studied at 30 and 40°C. The interaction parameters “μ” and “α” were calculated based on the Chee (Eur Polymer J 1990, 26, 423) and Sun et al. (Eur Polym J 1992, 28, 1259) approach. The obtained values indicated that the blend is miscible when the xanthan gum is 70% (V/V) or more at 30°C, and 40% (V/V) or more at 40°C. The corresponding variation of refractive index and ultrasonic velocity also supports the Sun et al. approach. The compatibility between these two polymers was further confirmed by SEM and FTIR. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Characteristics of the sorption of water and an ethanol/water solution by light‐cured copolymers of 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate with dental dimethacrylates
Authors: Sideridou Irini D. , Karabela Maria M. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractThis work concerns the synthesis of copolymers of 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) and the dimethacrylates bisphenol A glycol dimethacrylate, bisphenol ethoxylated dimethacrylate, urethane dimethacrylate, and triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (50/50 mol/mol) because of their potential use in contemporary dentine adhesives. Copolymerization was carried out at room temperature with visible light (λmax = 470 nm), with the system camphorquinone/N,N‐dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate being used as the photoinitiator. The behavior of these copolymers under oral conditions is of great concern. Thus, the sorption/desorption kinetics of water and a 75 vol % ethanol/water solution (which is an oral/food simulating liquid) by these copolymers were studied. The maximum amount of sorbed/desorbed liquid, solubility, and diffusion coefficient of each liquid were determined. The amount of sorbed liquid and solubility of the copolymers depended on both the structure of the copolymer and the nature of the solvent. The amount of water sorbed by the copolymers and their diffusion coefficients were much lower than those of the HEMA homopolymer but closer to those of the homopolymers of the dimethacrylate comonomers. All the copolymers sorbed a higher amount of the ethanol/water solution than water. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Conformation and deformation of linear macromolecules in concentrated solutions and melts in the self‐avoiding random walks statistics
Authors: Medvedevskikh Yu. G. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractA strict statistics of self‐avoiding random walks in the d‐measured lattice and continuous space for intertwining chains in the concentrated solutions and melts was proposed. On the basis of this statistics the thermodynamics of conformation and isothermal and adiabatic deformation of intertwining chains was described. The equation of conformational state has been obtained. It was shown that in the field of chains overlap they are stretched increasing its conformational volume. In this volume there are other chains with the formation of m‐ball. Free energy of a chain conformation does not depend upon the fact, if the chains intertwined or they are isolated in the m‐ball. Mixing entropy is responsible to the chains interweaving in the m‐ball. Dependencies of the conformational radius, free energy, and conformation pressure on respective concentration of polymeric chains have been determined. Using the thermodynamics of intertwining polymeric chains of m‐ball conformational state and also the laws of isotropic media deformation into linear differential form the theoretical expressions for elasticity modules (namely, volumetric volume, Young's module and shift's module) and for the main tensions appearing at the equilibrium deformation of the m‐ball were obtained. Poisson's coefficient is a function only on the Euclidean's space and for the real three‐dimensional space is equal to 3/8. A simple model explaining the tensile strength of the m‐ball by the chains intertwining effect and, thereafter by the loss of the mixing entropy, but not by the chemical bonds breaking was proposed. Calculations of the elastic properties, the main tensions, and tensile strength of natural rubber carried out without using the empirical adjusting parameters are in good agreement with the experimental data. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
High resolution imaging of the knee on 3‐Tesla MRI: A pictorial review
Authors: Griffin N. , Joubert I. , Lomas D.J. , Bearcroft P.W.P. , Dixon A.K. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractThe recent introduction of 3‐Tesla MRI offers substantial advances in musculoskeletal applications. High resolution images can now be obtained with shorter data acquisition times. This article provides a pictorial review of 3‐Tesla imaging in the knee with descriptions of both normal anatomy and the more common lesions involving the menisci, ligaments, and articular cartilage. A discussion of the issues associated with imaging at higher field strengths is also included. Clin. Anat. 21:374–382, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Structural, Magnetic Coupling and Oxidation State Trends in Models of the CaMn4 Cluster in Photosystem II
Authors: Petrie Simon , Stranger Rob , Pace Ron J. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractDensity functional theory calculations are reported on a set of isomeric structures I, II and III that share the structural formula [CaMn4C9H10N2O16]q+⋅(H2O)3 (q=−1, 0, 1, 2, 3). Species I has a skeletal structure, which has been previously identified as a close match to the ligated CaMn4 cluster in Photosystem II, as characterized in the most recent 3.0 Å crystal structure. Structures II and III are rearrangements of I, which largely retain that model's bridging ligand framework, but feature metal atom positions broadly consistent with, respectively, the earlier 3.5 and 3.2 Å crystal structures for the Photosystem II water‐oxidising complex (WOC). Our study explores the influence of the cluster charge state (and hence S state) on several important properties of the model structures; including the relative energies of the three models, their interconversion, trends in the individual Mn oxidation states, preferred hydration sites and favoured modes of magnetic coupling between the manganese atoms. We find that, for several of the explored cluster charge states, modest differences in the bridging‐ligand geometry exert a powerful influence over the individual manganese oxidation states, but throughout these states the robustness of the tetrahedron formed by the Ca and three of the Mn atoms remains a significant feature and contrasts with the positional flexibility of the fourth Mn atom. Although structure I is lowest in energy for most S states, the energy differences between structures for a given S state are not large. Overall, structure II provides a better match for the EXAFS derived metal–metal distance parameters for the earlier S states (S0 to S2), but not for S3 in which a significant structural change is observed experimentally. In this S state structure III provides a closer fit. The implications of these results, for the possible action of the WOC, are discussed.
Long‐term results of the treatment of patients with mantle cell lymphoma with cladribine (2‐CDA) alone (95‐80‐53) or 2‐CDA and rituximab (N0189) in the North Central Cancer Treatment Group
Authors: Inwards David J. , Fishkin Paul A. S. , Hillman David W. , Brown David W. , Ansell Stephen M. , Kurtin Paul J. , Fonseca Rafael , Morton Roscoe F. , Veeder Michael H. , Witzig Thomas E. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractBACKGROUND.The objective of this study was to test cladribine (2‐CDA) alone and in combination with rituximab in patients with mantle cell lymphoma (MCL).METHODS.Patients with MCL were treated on 2 sequential trials. In Trial 95‐80‐53, patients received 2‐CDA as initial therapy or at relapse. In Trial N0189, patients received combination 2‐CDA and rituximab as initial therapy. In both trials, 2‐CDA was administered at a dose of 5 mg/m2 intravenously on Days 1 through 5 every 4 weeks for 2 to 6 cycles, depending on response. In Trial N0189, rituximab 375 mg/m2 was administered on Day 1 of each cycle.RESULTS.Results were reported for 80 patients. Twenty‐six previously untreated patients and 25 patients who had recurrent disease with a median age of 68 years received single‐agent 2‐CDA. The overall response rate (ORR) was 81% with 42% complete responses (CRs) in the previously untreated group. The median progression‐free survival (PFS) was 13.6 months (95% confidence interval [95% CI], 7.2‐22.1 months), and 81% of patients remained alive at 2 years. The ORR was 46% with a 21% CR rate in the recurrent disease group. The median PFS was 5.4 months (95% CI, 4.6‐13.1 months), and 36% of patients remained alive at 2 years. Twenty‐nine eligible patients with a median age of 70 years received 2‐CDA plus rituximab. The ORR was 66% (19 of 29 patient), and the CR rate was 52% (15 of 29 patients). The median duration of response for patients who achieved a CR had not been reached at the time of the current report, and only 3 of the patients who achieved a CR developed recurrent disease at a median follow‐up of 21.5 months.CONCLUSIONS.2‐CDA had substantial single‐agent activity in both recurrent and untreated MCL, and the results indicated that it may be administered safely to elderly patients. The addition of rituximab to 2‐CDA may increase the duration of response. Cancer 2008. © 2008 American Cancer Society.
Multiple‐dose granulocyte‐macrophage–colony‐stimulating factor plus 23‐valent polysaccharide pneumococcal vaccine in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia
Authors: Safdar Amar , Rodriguez Gilhen H. , Rueda Adriana M. , Wierda William G. , Ferrajoli Alessandra , Musher Daniel M. , O'Brien Susan , Koller Charles A. , Bodey Gerald P. , Keating Michael J. 
Published: May 2008

AbstractBACKGROUND.For the current study, the authors sought to determine whether administration of multiple‐dose granulocyte‐macrophage–colony‐stimulating factor (GM‐CSF) could improve response to standard 23‐valent polysaccharide pneumococcal vaccine (PPV) in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).METHODS.Patients were allocated randomly to receive PPV either alone or with 3 doses of GM‐CSF (250 μg) given before or after vaccination. Serum was obtained before, 4 weeks after, and 12 weeks after vaccination for antibody determination. Thirty‐two patients with CLL were given PPV. They were randomized to receive 3 doses of GM‐CSF either before or after vaccination or to receive no GM‐CSF.RESULTS.A 4‐fold rise in immunoglobulin G (IgG) to capsular polysaccharides from Streptococcus pneumoniae types 4, 6B, 9V, 14, 19F, and 23F occurred in <10% of patients in each of the 3 groups. There were no differences in geometric mean IgG levels in any of the 3 groups 4 weeks or 12 weeks after vaccination.CONCLUSIONS.In patients with CLL, the response to pure polysaccharide pneumococcal vaccine was low despite immune enhancement with multiple doses of GM‐CSF. In all patients, reactogenicity was minor. Cancer 2008. © 2008 American Cancer Society.