bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The validity of the family history screen for assessing family history of mental disorders
Authors: Milne B.J. , Caspi A. , Crump R. , Poulton R. , Rutter M. , Sears M.R. , Moffitt T.E. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThere is a need to collect psychiatric family history information quickly and economically (e.g., for genome‐wide studies and primary care practice). We sought to evaluate the validity of family history reports using a brief screening instrument, the Family History Screen (FHS). We assessed the validity of parents' reports of seven psychiatric disorders in their adult children probands from the Dunedin Study (n = 959, 52% male), using the proband's diagnosis as the criterion outcome. We also investigated whether there were informant characteristics that enhanced accuracy of reporting or were associated with reporting biases. Using reports from multiple informants, we obtained sensitivities ranging from 31.7% (alcohol dependence) to 60.0% (conduct disorder) and specificities ranging from 76.0% (major depressive episode) to 97.1% (suicide attempt). There was little evidence that any informant characteristics enhanced accuracy of reporting. However, three reporting biases were found: the probability of reporting disorder in the proband was greater for informants with versus without a disorder, for female versus male informants, and for younger versus older informants. We conclude that the FHS is as valid as other family history instruments (e.g., the FH‐RDC, FISC), and its brief administration time makes it a cost‐effective method for collecting family history data. To avoid biasing results, researchers who aim to compare groups in terms of their family history should ensure that the informants reporting on these groups do not differ in terms of age, sex or personal history of disorder. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Lack of association between DRD3 gene polymorphism and response to clozapine in Turkish schizoprenia patients
Authors: Barlas I. Omer , Cetin Mesut , Erdal M. Emin , Semiz Umit B. , Basoglu Cengiz , Ay M. Ertan , Herken Hasan , Uzun Ozcan 
Published: April 2008

AbstractIt is hypothesized that molecular components of dopaminergic system, especially the dopamine D3 receptor gene (DRD3), may play a crucial role in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia, because it is abundant in the limbic system of the brain and it binds antipsychotic drugs. Several groups attempted to find an association between a serine‐to‐glycine polymorphism of the DRD3 gene (Ser9Gly) and schizophrenia; however, the results were inconsistent. In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship of the Serine/Glycine polymorphism of the DRD3 gene with therapeutic response to clozapine treatment between Turkish schizophrenia patients (N = 92) and healthy controls (N = 100). Genotype groups were comparable in BPRS, SAPS, SANS analysis of response to clozapine. Our results suggest that an association between the Ser/Gly polymorphism of DRD3 gene and response to clozapine in Turkish schizophrenia patients is unlikely to exist. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Association study between the genetic polymorphisms of glutathione‐related enzymes and schizophrenia in a Japanese population
Authors: Matsuzawa Daisuke , Hashimoto Kenji , Hashimoto Tasuku , Shimizu Eiji , Watanabe Hiroyuki , Fujita Yuko , Iyo Masaomi 
Published: April 2008

AbstractSeveral lines of evidence suggest that oxidative stress plays a role in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia, and that glutathione (GSH) plays a crucial role in antioxidant defense mechanisms. In this study, we performed association studies between GSH‐related genes (GSTM1, GSTP1, GSTO1, GSTT1, GSTT2, GPX1, and GCLM) and schizophrenia in a Japanese population. The overall distributions of the genotypes and alleles of each gene were not different between schizophrenic patients and controls. Subjects with residual‐type schizophrenia showed different distributions in the analysis of GSTM1 genotype and in the combination analysis of GSTs, GPX1, and GCLM genotypes although the small sample size should be considered as a limitation of this study. In addition, our findings revealed that there were large ethnic differences in the genotype distributions of those GSH‐related genes. The present study suggests that GSH‐related genes may not play a major role in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia in a Japanese population. However, a dysregulation of GSH metabolism may be one of the vulnerability factors contributing to the development of a certain type of schizophrenia, and it is likely that the ethnic background should be considered in further study for those GSH‐related genes. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The influence of age on fecal steroid hormone levels in male Budongo Forest chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii)
Authors: Seraphin S.B. , Whitten P.L. , Reynolds V. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractPotential interactions between age and endocrinological functioning have been understudied in wild ape populations. Therefore, we examined the relationship between age and the secretion of androgens and glucocorticoids in 15 juvenile, subadult, and adult male chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii) free ranging in the Budongo Forest of Uganda. One hundred and nine fecal samples were opportunistically collected, between 07:30 and 13:30 hr, during the wet season. Fecal samples were preserved, by oven drying, and steroid content extracted before radioimmunoassay for dehydroepiandrosterone‐sulfate (DHEA‐S), testosterone (TEST), cortisol (CORT), and corticosterone (CCT). Employing indexes of age as predictive factors, linear mixed‐effects modeling and non‐parametric statistical comparisons of fecal steroid levels were conducted. Age was observed to significantly influence the production of both glucocorticoids and androgens in male Budongo Forest chimpanzees. Basically, whereas TEST and CORT increased, DHEA‐S and CCT levels slightly declined as animals matured. Am. J. Primatol. 70:661–669, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Synthesis and characterization of biodegradable poly(butylene succinate‐co‐propylene succinate)s
Authors: Xu Yongxiang , Xu Jun , Liu Dehua , Guo Baohua , Xie Xuming 
Published: April 2008

AbstractBiodegradable polyesters such as poly(butylene succinate) (PBS), poly(propylene succinate) (PPS), and poly(butylene succinate‐co‐propylene succinate)s (PBSPSs) were synthesized respectively, from 1,4‐succinic acid with 1,4‐butanediol and 1,3‐propanediol through a two‐step process of esterification and polycondensation in this article. The composition and physical properties of both homopolyesters and copolyesters were investigated via 1H NMR, DSC, TGA, POM, AFM, and WAXD. The copolymer composition was in good agreement with that expected from the feed composition of the reactants. The melting temperature (Tm), crystallization temperature (Tc), crystallinity (X), and thermal decomposition temperature (Td) of these polyesters decreased gradually as the content of propylene succinate unit increased. PBSPS copolyesters showed the same crystal structure as the PBS homopolyester. Besides the normal extinction crosses under the polarizing optical microscope, the double‐banded extinction patterns with periodic distance along the radial direction were also observed in the spherulites of PBS and PBSPS. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Effect of glycol and filler types on some polymeric composite properties
Authors: Asaad J. N. , Abd‐El‐Messieh S. L. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractTwo unsaturated polyesters based on maleic anhydride, phthalic anhydride, and sebasic acid with each of linear 1,6‐hexanediol (PEL) and cyclic 1,4‐cyclohexanediol (PEC) were prepared. Their structures were characterized by IR and 1H NMR spectra. Their composites were prepared by mixing different ratios (60, 70, and 80%) with talc and kaolin with polyester/styrene mixture. The effect of linear and cyclic glycols and the effect of filler type and concentration of these composites were studied in terms of their electrical properties and the hardness before and after aging. The thermal behavior of styrenated polyesters and their composites was studied using thermogravimetric analysis. It has been found that both fillers increase the thermal stability and decrease the weight loss. The permittivity ε′ and the dielectric loss ε″ were measured in the frequency range 100 Hz up to 100 kHz at room temperature 25°C ± 1. The polyester composite samples containing 70% filler lead to good electrical properties in addition to its resistance to thermal aging. The hardness value was increased by increasing the filler content before and after aging. The polyester composites based on cyclic glycol and loaded with 80% kaolin gave the highest hardness values. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Flame retardancy of hollow glass microsphere/rigid polyurethane foams in the presence of expandable graphite
Authors: Bian Xiang‐Cheng , Tang Jian‐Hua , Li Zhong‐Ming 
Published: April 2008

AbstractRigid polyurethane foams (RPUF) filled with various loadings of expandable graphite (EG) or/and hollow glass microspheres (HGM) were prepared by cast molding. The flame retardant properties of these composites were investigated by limiting oxygen index (LOI), horizontal and vertical burning tests. The composite with 10 wt % HGM and 20 wt % EG had the best flame retardant properties, and its LOI value reached 30 vol %. The addition of an appropriate loading of HGM improved the compressive strength and modulus of RPUF and EG/RPUF. When the HGM content arrived at 10 wt %, the compressive strength and modulus of the composites reached the maximum value. The dynamical mechanical analysis (DMA) showed that the addition of EG and HGM made the glass transition temperature shift to a higher temperature, and 10 wt % EG and 10 wt % HGM filled RPUF had the highest storage modulus. The scanning electronic microscope (SEM) observation indicates that the additives led to the decrease in the cell size. In addition, the flame retardant mechanism, the thermal properties, the burned surfaces and the interface surfaces were elucidated. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Antifoaming performance of polysiloxanes modified with fluoroalkyls and polyethers
Authors: Wu Fei , Cai Chun , Yi Wen‐Bin , Cao Zhi‐Ping , Wang Yun 
Published: April 2008

AbstractA series of polysiloxanes modified with fluoroalkyls and polyethers were synthesized. Antifoaming performance of such modified polysiloxanes in the mixture of diesel and mobile fuel was studied. The effects of factors such as polyethers type, molar ratio between polyether and fluoroalkyl, hydrogen‐contents and viscosity of polysiloxanes, length of fluoroalkyls, etc., on the performance of modified products were discussed. It shows that polysiloxane modified with allyl polyoxypropylene ether and hexafluorobutyl acrylate has better breaking and inhibiting foam performance, when compared with that replacing allyl polyoxypropylene ether with allyl polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene block ether and allyl polyoxyethylene ether. And when the molar ratio between allyl polyoxypropylene ether and hexafluorobutyl acrylate is 3 : 7, modified polysloxane has the best foam controlling performance. Low viscosity polysiloxane or low hydrogen content polysiloxane modified with allyl polyoxypropylene ether and hexafluorobutyl acrylate has better foam controlling performance. Polysiloxane modified with longer carbon chain fluoroalkyl and allyl polyoxypropylene ether has better antifoaming performance than that modified with shorter carbon chain fluoroalkyl and polyether and lower surface tension. The change of surface tension of foaming liquid between initially added with modified polysiloxane and after testing antifoaming performance was studied, and it shows that after testing performance of antifoam, the surface tension of foaming liquid becomes bigger which is one possible reason for antifoam exhausting. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Synthesis, extraction, and adsorption properties of calix[4]arene‐poly(ethylene‐glycol) crosslinked polymer
Authors: Zhu Weipu , Gou Pengfei , Zhu Kui , Shen Zhiquan 
Published: April 2008

AbstractNovel calix[4]arene‐poly(ethylene glycol) crosslinked polymer (CCP) has been synthesized by the polycondensation reaction between a p‐tert‐butylcalix[4]arene derivative and dihydroxyl capped poly(ethylene glycol) (DHPEG, Mn = 1000) catalyzed by neodymium tosylate. The hydrogel, consisted of 66.9% water and 33.1% CCP, can selectively extract aromatic organic molecules from aqueous solution according to the diameter of the guest molecules, which infers that the diameter of the calix[4]arene cavity is about 5.4 Å and the conformation of calix[4]arene units altered from cone conformation to 1,3‐alternate conformation during the polycondensation reaction. Furthermore, CCP can also adsorb naphthalene from gas phase, showing much higher capacity than active carbon does, which may have some potential applications in the field of separation and environment protection. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Studies on preparation and properties of porous biodegradable poly(NIPAAm) hydrogels
Authors: Lee Wen‐Fu , Cheng Tzu‐Shen 
Published: April 2008

AbstractA series of biodegradable porous hydrogels, based on thermosensitive N‐isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAm) and biodegradable crosslinker‐polycaprolactone diacrylate (PCLdA) that was synthesized from polycaprolactone diol with acryloyl chloride were prepared by photopolymerization at low temperature. The effect of the crosslinker content and gelation method on the swelling behaviors and physical properties for the poly(NIPAAm) hydrogels was investigated. Results showed that the swelling ratio of the gel in deionized water decreased with an increase of the content of polycaprolactone (PCL) segment in the poly(NIPAAm) hydrogels. The properties of the gels crosslinked with PCLdA were compared with those crosslinked with N, N′‐methylenebisacrylamide (NMBA). The results showed that the critical gel transition temperatures (CGTT) of the gels crosslinked with PCLdA were lower than those of the gels crosslinked with NMBA due to the hydrophobicity of the PCL segment. The results also showed that the gels crosslinked with PCLdA had higher mechanical strength and crosslinking density than those gels crosslinked with NMBA. Comparing the porous gels with nonporous gels, the results showed that the swelling ratio and CGTT of the porous gels were higher than those of the nonporous gels, and the transition temperature curve was smoother for the porous gels. The porous gels also exhibited more rapid thermal response and faster degradation rates. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Effects of Temperature Regime Through Premetamorphic Ontogeny on Shape of the Chondrocranium in the American Toad, Anaxyrus americanus
Authors: Jorgensen Michael E. , Sheil Christopher A. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractIf one considers the substantial amount of information that exists about phenotypic plasticity in amphibians, it is surprising that few studies have examined abiotic factors that influence phenotype through ontogeny. Phenotypic change and stability of morphology are artifacts of organisms that bear significant relevance to evolution within and among taxonomic groups. Here, we examine development as a phenotypically plastic aspect of larval anurans. Fertilized eggs of the American Toad, Anaxyrus (= Bufo) americanus (Holbrook, 1836), were obtained from two pairs of adults, and larvae were reared in four temperature treatments (constant Mean, constant High, constant Low, and Fluctuating regime [Low night–High day]); developmental series were collected from each treatment, representing larvae of this species from Gosner Stages 28–40. Cleared and stained larvae were analyzed with landmark‐based geometric morphometric methods to facilitate examination of differences in overall shape change of the larval chondrocranium through ontogeny, as a result of developmental temperature or temperature regime. Changes in shape of the chondrocranium and in amount and direction of phenotypic change through ontogeny were found in response to temperature treatment and temperature regime. Mean chondrocranial shape of the Fluctuating regime was more similar to the consensus shape of the overall data set than were those of all other treatments. Given that differences in amount and direction of shape change were observed among these treatments and throughout ontogeny, one should consider the affects of abiotic factors (such as temperature) when rearing larval anurans for studies of developmental morphology. Anat Rec, 291:818‐826, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Heteropterys aphrodisiaca Infusion Reduces the Collateral Effects of Cyclosporine A on the Testis
Authors: Monteiro Juliana C. , Predes Fabrícia S. , Matta Sérgio L.P. , Dolder Heidi 
Published: April 2008

AbstractCyclosporine A (CsA) is known to have testicular toxicity, leading to male infertility. Stimulant and aphrodisiac properties have been attributed to the plant, Heteropterys aphrodisiaca. Thus, the present work was undertaken to evaluate the association of the drug and the medicinal herb in Wistar rats, applying testicular morphometry and ultrastructure. Twenty‐four rats were used, divided into four groups: I, control; II, CsA; III, simultaneous use of CsA and H. aphrodisiaca; IV, H. aphrodisiaca. Daily administration by gavage was carried out, during 56 days, of water (sham), CsA in a dose of 15 mg/kg per day and/or H. aphrodisiaca in a dose of 0.5 ml of the infusion prepared with 25 g of roots/100 ml of boiling water. Increased body weight was observed for all groups, but the animals that received only CsA showed the smallest body weight gain. Morphometry showed increased connective tissue volumetric proportion and decreased Leydig cell volumetric proportion in CsA‐treated rats. Using transmission electron microscopy, it was possible to ascertain that CsA caused seminiferous epithelium degeneration, resulting in Sertoli cell vacuolization, abnormal round and elongated spermatids and large accumulation of residual cytoplasm at the epithelium border next to the lumen. Expanded intercellular spaces between germ cells were still observed in H. aphrodisiaca‐treated rat testes. The administration of H. aphrodisiaca infusion to CsA‐treated rats diminished nearly all the CsA‐induced damage to the testis ultrastructure, suggesting that H. aphrodisiaca infusion may be used combined with CsA to reduce CsA‐induced injuries in the testis. Anat Rec, 291:809‐817, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Hybridization‐Sensitive On–Off DNA Probe: Application of the Exciton Coupling Effect to Effective Fluorescence Quenching
Authors: Ikeda Shuji , Okamoto Akimitsu 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThe design of dyes that emit fluorescence only when they recognize the target molecule, that is, chemistry for the effective quenching of free dyes, must play a significant role in the development of the next generation of functional fluorescent dyes. On the basis of this concept, we designed a doubly fluorescence‐labeled nucleoside. Two thiazole orange dyes were covalently linked to a single nucleotide in a DNA probe. An absorption band at approximately 480 nm appeared strongly when the probe was in a single‐stranded state, whereas an absorption band at approximately 510 nm became predominant when the probe was hybridized with the complementary strand. The shift in the absorption bands shows the existence of an excitonic interaction caused by the formation of an H aggregate between dyes, and as a result, emission from the probe before hybridization was suppressed. Dissociation of aggregates by hybridization with the complementary strand resulted in the disruption of the excitonic interaction and strong emission from the hybrid. This clear change in fluorescence intensity that is dependent on hybridization is useful for visible gene analysis.
Error‐correction methods and evaluation of an ensemble based hydrological forecasting system for the Upper Danube catchment
Authors: Bogner K. , Kalas M. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractWithin the EU Project PREVention, Information and Early Warning (PREVIEW), ensembles of discharge series have been generated for the Danube catchment by the use of various weather forecast products. Hydrological models applied for streamflow prediction often have simulation errors that degrade forecast quality and limit the operational usefulness of the forecasts. Therefore, error‐correction methods have been tested for adjusting the ensemble traces using a transformation derived with simulated and observed flows. This article presents first results of the combination of state‐space models and wavelet transformations in order to update errors between the simulated (forecasted) and the observed discharge. Copyright © 2008 Royal Meteorological Society
Mitochondria and ageing in Drosophila
Authors: Morrow Geneviève , Tanguay Robert M. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractStudies in different organisms have revealed that ageing is a complex process involving a tight regulation of gene expression. Among other features, ageing organisms generally display an increased oxidative stress and a decreased mitochondrial function. The increase in oxidative stress can be attributable to reactive oxygen species, which are mainly produced by mitochondria as a by‐product of energy metabolism. Consistent with these data, mitochondria have been suggested to play a significant role in lifespan determination. The fruitfly Drosophila melanogaster is a well‐suited organism to study ageing as it is relatively short‐lived, mainly composed of post‐mitotic cells, has sequenced nuclear and mitochondrial genomes, and multiple genetic tools are available. It has been used in genome‐wide studies to unveil the molecular signature of ageing, in different feeding and dietary restriction protocols and in overexpression and down‐regulation studies to examine the effect of specific compounds or genes/proteins on lifespan. Here we review the various features linking mitochondria and ageing in Drosophila melanogaster.
High levels of stable phytase accumulate in the culture medium of transgenic Medicago truncatula cell suspension cultures
Authors: Pires Ana Sofia , Cabral M. Guadalupe , Fevereiro Pedro , Stoger Eva , Abranches Rita 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThe use of plants for production of recombinant proteins is becoming widely accepted. More recently, plant cell cultures have been proposed as valuable systems for producing a wide range of biologically active proteins. Such systems provide certain advantages over whole plants, but yields are still considered a limitation. In this study we established a Medicago truncatula cell suspension line expressing phytase from Aspergillus niger. Phytase is an N‐glycosylated enzyme that breaks down indigestible phytate, resulting in an increased availability of phosphorus and other minerals in monogastric animals and reduced levels of phosphorus output in their manure. Various production systems have previously been used to express heterologous phytase, including several plant species. In this work, remarkable amounts of enzymatically active recombinant phytase were produced and secreted into the culture medium. Recombinant phytase accumulated to at least 25 mg/L and remained stable along the growth curve, and an enriched fraction with high enzymatic activity was easily obtained. We therefore propose M. truncatula cell suspension cultures as a potential system for the production of recombinant proteins. Most importantly, we have shown that, contrary to general belief, it is possible to achieve high levels of a functional recombinant protein in plant cell culture systems.