bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Novel Gene, msa1, Inhibits Sexual Differentiation in Schizosaccharomyces pombe
Authors: Jeong Hee Tae , Ozoe Fumiyo , Tanaka Katsunori , Nakagawa Tsuyoshi , Matsuda Hideyuki , Kawamukai Makoto 
Published: August 2004

Abstract
Sexual differentiation in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe is triggered by nutrient starvation or by the presence of mating pheromones. We identified a novel gene, msa1, which encodes a 533-aa putative RNA-binding protein that inhibits sexual differentiation. Disruption of the msa1 gene caused cells to hypersporulate. Intracellular levels of msa1 RNA and Msa1 protein diminished after several hours of nitrogen starvation. Genetic analysis suggested that the function of msa1 is independent of the cAMP pathway and stress-responsive pathway. Deletion of the ras1 gene in diploid cells inhibited sporulation and in haploid cells decreased expression of mating-pheromone-induced genes such as mei2, mam2, ste11, and rep1; simultaneous deletion of msa1 reversed both phenotypes. Overexpression of msa1 decreased activated Ras1Val17-induced expression of mam2. Phenotypic hypersporulation was similar between cells with deletion of only rad24 and both msa1 and rad24, but simultaneous deletion of msa1 and msa2/nrd1 additively increased hypersporulation. Therefore, we suggest that the primary function of Msa1 is to negatively regulate sexual differentiation by controlling the expression of Ste11-regulated genes, possibly through the pheromone-signaling pathway.
Fractionation, Blood, Plasma Fractionation
Authors: Foster Peter R. 
Published: August 2004

AbstractBlood plasma fractionation is a biopharmaceutical manufacturing operation in which high quality, proteinaceous products are prepared for clinical use from human plasma. Products prepared in this manner include albumin, eg, human serum albumin, and plasma protein fraction, for volume and protein replacement in surgery and for the treatment of injury and disease; coagulation factors, eg, Factor VIII and Factor IX Complex, for the prevention and treatment of bleeding disorders; and immunoglobulins, eg, immune serum globulin and immune globulin intravenous, for the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases and immune disorders.A number of highly integrated bioseparation processes are employed to fractionate human plasma into its different constituents. These range from established cold‐ethanol precipitation technology, devised in the 1940s, to more recently developed solid‐phase adsorption/desorption techniques.The principal developments since 1980 have been immunoglobulin products for intravenous use, and highly effective technologies for the inactivation of viral contaminants, such as hepatitis viruses and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), which were associated with earlier coagulation factor preparations.
Salt solubility and deposition in high temperature and pressure aqueous solutions
Authors: Hodes Marc , Griffith Peter , Smith Kenneth A. , Hurst Wilbur S. , Bowers Walter J. , Sako Kentaro 
Published: August 2004

AbstractSolubility and deposition rate experiments were performed in aqueous sodium sulfate and potassium sulfate solutions at elevated temperatures and pressures typical of the supercritical water oxidation (SCWO) process. The test cell was a six‐port chamber in the form of a modified 1.91 cm (3/4 in.) diameter Swagelok cross with an internally heated cylinder (hot finger) mounted in its center. Solubilities were acquired by maintaining the surface temperature of the hot finger about 10°C above the gradually increasing bulk temperature of the solution flowing by it until salt precipitated on the hot finger. Solubility temperatures for sodium sulfate and potassium sulfate in water were measured for salt concentrations of up to 10% mass fraction. In the deposition rate experiments, the solution flowing past the hot finger was preheated to a temperature close to the solubility temperature and the salt layer–solution interface formed on the hot finger was maintained slightly above the solubility temperature to drive deposition. Deposition rates from SCWO streams containing up to 8% mass fraction salt were obtained by measuring the mass of the salt deposited on the hot finger after each (6 to 12 min) run. Solubility data are compared to those from other studies and a simple deposition rate model is developed and compared with the deposition rate data. Natural convection dominated transport and the system pressure was 25 MPa at all conditions. © 2004 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 50: 2038–2049, 2004
Candidate locus for Gilles de la Tourette syndrome/obsessive compulsive disorder/chronic tic disorder at 18q22
Authors: Cuker Adam , State Matthew W. , King Robert A. , Davis Nicole , Ward David C. 
Published: August 2004

AbstractGilles de la Tourette syndrome (GTS), obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), and chronic tic disorder (CTD) are chronic, potentially debilitating neuropsychiatric disorders that often cluster in families. Comorbidity data and family and linkage studies support the hypothesis that these phenotypes, in some cases, share a common etiology. Studies of chromosomal abnormalities associated with this phenotypic spectrum further show that GTS, OCD, and CTD may represent alternate manifestations of a shared genetic condition. We report on a 14‐year‐old girl with severe OCD and a t(2;18)(p12;q22) translocation. The patient's chromosome 18 breakpoint localizes to the same chromosomal band as two previously reported rearrangements associated with GTS, OCD, and CTD, and fine maps to a genomic position approximately 5 Mb from these rearrangements. The clustering of these three breakpoints within a relatively small genetic interval suggests that 18q22 is a promising region for containing a gene or genes of etiologic importance in the development of the GTS/OCD/CTD phenotypic spectrum. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Testicular histological examination of spermatogenetic activity in captive gorillas (Gorilla gorilla)
Authors: Enomoto Tomoo , Matsubayashi Kiyoaki , Nakano Mayumi , Fujii‐Hanamoto Hideko , Kusunoki Hiroshi 
Published: August 2004

AbstractTo clarify the reproductive state of male gorillas, we performed histological examinations on the testicles of 10 male gorillas (Gorilla gorilla). The testicular samples were obtained by autopsy, and ordinal histological preparations were made for light microscopy. The poor spermatogenesis of this species was characterized by the following findings: First, spermatogenesis was evident in only four samples. Meiosis progressed in two samples, but they lacked spermatogenesis. In the remaining four specimens, seminiferous tubules hyalinized without any sign of spermatogenesis. Second, seminiferous epithelia were thin even in the males in which spermatogenesis was observed. Third, degenerated seminiferous tubules were found in all specimens. Fourth, abnormally large syncytial cells were found in the tubules. Six stages in the epithelial cycle of the seminiferous tubules were identified. Testosterone staining made it clear that there were many Leydig cells with spherical or fusiform nuclei in an abundance of interstitial tissue. The relevance of the testicular architecture of gorillas to the mating system is discussed. Am. J. Primatol. 63:183–199, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Observed case of infanticide committed by a resident male central American black howler monkey (Alouatta pigra)
Authors: Knopff Kyle H. , Knopff Aliah R.A. , Pavelka Mary S.M. 
Published: August 2004

AbstractAlthough infanticide has been witnessed in other species of howler monkey, and has been inferred forAlouatta pigra, an observed case of infanticide has not previously been recorded for this species. Here we describe the killing of a 2‐week‐old infant by the resident male of a small social group in southern Belize. The infanticide was witnessed as part of an intensive observational study that began in January 2003. The male was known to have resided in the group for at least 4 months, but it is not known whether he was the father of the infant. The literature proposes three main explanations for infanticide: two adaptive hypotheses (sexual selection and resource competition), and one nonadaptive hypothesis (social pathology). Individual cases of infanticide such as this one are important for comparative purposes, but when examined on their own they are difficult to interpret in relation to established theoretical frameworks. The data presented here show some consistency with the sexual‐selection and resource‐competition hypotheses, but the lack of critical information (i.e., as to paternity) makes it impossible to draw firm conclusions. Am. J. Primatol. 63:239–244, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A narcolepsy susceptibility locus maps to a 5Mb region of chromosome 21q
Authors: Dauvilliers Yves , Blouin Jean‐Louis , Neidhart Elisabeth , Carlander Bertrand , Eliaou Jean‐François , Antonarakis Stylianos E. , Billiard Michel , Tafti Mehdi 
Published: August 2004

AbstractThe genetic basis of human narcolepsy remains poorly understood. Multiplex families with full‐blown narcolepsy‐cataplexy are rare, whereas families with both narcolepsy‐cataplexy and excessive daytime sleepiness without cataplexy are more common. We performed a genomewide linkage analysis in a large French family with four members affected with narcolepsy‐cataplexy and 10 others with isolated recurrent naps or lapses into sleep. Only three regions showed logarithm of odds (LOD) scores greater than 1 in two‐point linkage analysis (D6S1960, D11S2359, and D21S228). Genotyping additional markers provided support for linkage to 9 markers on chromosome 21 (maximum two‐point LOD score, 3.36 at D21S1245). The multipoint linkage analysis using SimWalk2 provided further evidence for linkage to the same region (maximum parametric LOD score, 4.00 at 21GT26K). A single haplotype was shared by all affected individuals and informative crossovers indicated that the elusive gene that confers susceptibility to narcolepsy is likely to be located between markers D21S267 and ABCG1, in a 5.15Mb region of 21q. Ann Neurol 2004
Preparation and properties of compatibilized PVC/SMA‐g‐PA6 blends
Authors: Dong Lijie , Xiong Chuanxi , Wang Tao , Liu Dan , Lu Shengjun , Wang Yinzhen 
Published: August 2004

AbstractThe morphology and mechanical properties of PVC/SMA‐g‐PA6 blends were investigated in this paper. Graft to polymer SMA‐g‐PA6 was prepared via a solution graft reaction between SMA and PA6. FTIR test evidences the occurrence of the graft reaction between SMA and PA6. DSC analysis shows that SMA‐g‐PA6 has a lower melting point of 187°C, which may result in a decrease in crystallinity of PA6 and thus enable efficient blending of SMA‐g‐PA6 and PVC. Compatibilization was evidenced by the dramatic increase in mechanical properties, the smaller particle size and finer dispersion of PA6 in PVC matrix, and, further, a cocontinuous morphology at 16 wt % SMA‐g‐PA6 content. SMA‐g‐PA6 from the solution graft reaction can toughen and reinforce PVC material. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 94: 432–439, 2004
Melt processing of composites of PVDF and carbon black modified with conducting polymers
Authors: Zucolotto V. , Avlyanov J. , Gregorio R. , Mattoso L. H. C. 
Published: August 2004

AbstractConductive composites from poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) and a novel thermally stable conductive additive made via in situ deposition of polyaniline or polypyrrole on carbon black particles were produced by a melting process. Electrical conductivity in the order of 10−2 S/cm could be achieved with low contents of the conductive filler. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) showed that there is no appreciable degradation of the composites at temperatures as high as 300°C. Moreover, the addition of the conducting polymer‐modified carbon black additive is advantageous to the melt processing of the composites, reducing the melt viscosity in comparison to the addition of pure carbon black. Composites containing the β‐phase of PVDF could be obtained via quenching from the melt, as indicated by X‐Ray diffraction analysis. The type and amount of the additive and the quenching rate influence the formation of β‐phase in the PVDF composites. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 94: 553–557, 2004
A multiple‐dose, safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamic study of oral recombinant human interleukin‐11 (oprelvekin)
Authors: Cotreau Monette M. , Stonis Lucille , Strahs Andrew , Schwertschlag Ullrich S. 
Published: August 2004

AbstractA study in healthy men and women was performed to assess the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD) of orally administered recombinant human interleukin‐11 (oprelvekin) (OAO). Four cohorts of 10 subjects each received 3, 5, 10 or 30 mg (8:2/OAO:placebo ratio), first as a single dose with a 7‐day washout period, then 7 consecutive daily doses. Safety was assessed by ongoing evaluation of adverse events (AEs) and laboratory values. PK samples were collected on the first and last day of dose administration. The established effects of subcutaneous oprelvekin on C‐reactive protein (CRP, ↑), platelet count (↑), fibrinogen (↑) and hemoglobin (↓), were evaluated. PK analysis showed that most subjects (27/34, 79%) had undetectable serum levels of IL‐11. PD measures showed no changes from baseline between any OAO group and the placebo group. Orally administered oprelvekin was safe and well tolerated at all doses. A total of five AEs (abdominal pain, diarrhea, headache, rhinitis, grade 3 alanine aminotransferase elevation) were reported across all groups. Evaluations of serum IL‐11 levels indicate that OAO is not systemically absorbed at levels above the lower limit of the bioanalytic assay. These data in addition to the lack of effect on PD measures suggest that there is a decreased potential of systemic adverse events with OAO. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Resistance to oxidative stress caused by ceftazidime and piperacillin in a bioﬁlm of Pseudomonas
Authors: Battán Paola C. , Barnes Ana I. , Albesa Inés 
Published: August 2004

AbstractThe capacity to form a bioﬁlm was evaluated in Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from patients with lung and urinary infections. Adherence, development of microcolonies and slime formation varied in the studied strains. P. aeruginosa P63 isolated from cystic ﬁbrosis (CF) exhibited important microcolony formation with the densest bioﬁlm, and was selected to study the oxidative stress produced with ceftazidime and piperacillin by means of chemiluminescence (CL) in cell suspensions and bioﬁlm. P. aeruginosa strain P63 was compared with P69; both were sensitive to ceftazidime and showed increase of reactive species of oxygen (ROS) in the presence of this antibiotic. P. aeruginosas P69 exhibited resistance to piperacillin and low ROS production, while piperacillin‐sensitive strain P63 showed high oxidative stress with this antibiotic. Piperacillin stimulated oxidative stress, increasing ROS production only in the sensitive strain. Higher antibiotic concentrations were necessary to augment ROS in bacteria bioﬁlm than in suspension. Incubation of P63 strain with ceftazidime or piperacillin in the presence of its own extracellular matrix (EM) or sodium alginate stimulated lesser oxidative stress and slower decrease of ROS than in the absence of these polysaccharides. A variant, V10, obtained from strain P63 showed more sensitivity to the antibiotics than the wild‐type, and concomitantly exhibited higher production of ROS in the presence of both the antibiotics studied. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Interobserver variability in the pathological assessment of malignant colorectal polyps
Authors: Komuta K , Batts K , Jessurun J , Snover D , Garcia-Aguilar J , Rothenberger D , Madoff R 
Published: August 2004

Abstract

Background
Treatment of patients with malignant large bowel polyps is highly dependent on pathological evaluation. The aim of this study was to evaluate interobserver variability in the pathological assessment of endoscopically removed polyps.

Methods
The records of 88 patients with colorectal cancer who underwent endoscopic removal of malignant polyps were reviewed. Study investigators reviewed the initial pathology report; three experienced gastrointestinal pathologists reviewed all slides in a blinded fashion. Interobserver variability of pathological assessment of malignant polyps was analysed by κ statistics.

Results
Seventy-six (86 per cent) of the 88 patients had malignant polyps and 12 (14 per cent) had carcinoma in situ. Agreement between experienced pathologists was substantial with regard to T stage (κ = 0·725), resection margin status (κ = 0·668) and Haggitt's classification (κ = 0·682), but comparison of initial and experienced pathologists' assessment demonstrated only moderate agreement in these areas (κ = 0·516, κ = 0·555 and κ = 0·578 respectively). Agreement between even experienced pathologists was poor with respect to histological grade of differentiated adenocarcinomas (κ = 0·163) and angiolymphatic vessel invasion (κ = − 0·017).

Conclusion
Pathological assessment of malignant polyps varies between observers. Specialist pathologists appear to have a higher degree of consensus among themselves than with generalist pathologists with respect to T stage. The high interobserver variability with regard to histological grade of differentiated tumours is clinically irrelevant. However, variability in the assessment of angiolymphatic vessel invasion limits the value of this measurement for clinical decision making.
Assessment of outcomes after colorectal cancer resection in the elderly as a rationale for screening and early detection
Authors: Clark A J , Stockton D , Elder A , Wilson R G , Dunlop M G 
Published: August 2004

AbstractBackgroundClinical, social and survival outcomes in elderly patients undergoing bowel cancer surgery were studied to explore the justification for the current upper age limit in colorectal cancer screening programmes.MethodsScottish national data were analysed to determine age-specific population survival following a diagnosis of colorectal cancer. Detailed analysis of outcome variables was undertaken in a cohort of 180 patients aged over 80 years who underwent resection of colorectal cancer.ResultsPopulation analysis revealed that the absolute risk of developing colorectal cancer was highest in those aged over 80 years, but relative survival was disproportionately poor. Of 180 patients in this age group, 30·0 per cent required an emergency procedure and only 4·6 per cent had Dukes' stage A tumours. Determinants of all-cause mortality were tumour stage (P &lt; 0·001) and degree of co-morbidity (P = 0·004). Some 88·0 per cent of elderly patients returned to the same category of accommodation as that before admission.ConclusionColorectal cancer is increasingly common in people aged over 80 years and survival is disproportionately poor compared with that in other age groups. Elective management of early-stage cancer has a better outcome than emergency surgery. The majority of patients maintain social independence. These population and hospital data provide a rationale for early, and even presymptomatic, detection of colorectal cancer in the elderly.
Child protection policy perspectives and reform of Australian legislation
Authors: Farrell Ann 
Published: August 2004

AbstractLegislative responsibility for child protection has become a major theme in the international human rights arena and a major policy issue within early childhood education and care. This paper examines child protection policy and legislation in Australia and measures that are being employed to safeguard children and childhood within contexts that are seen as increasingly risky. Juxtaposing perspectives on child protection and child liberation, it examines the protective responsibilities speciﬁed in legislation in the context of predominantly adult agendas. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Kinship care in Australia
Authors: Spence Nigel 
Published: August 2004

AbstractKinship care is the fastest growing form of out‐of‐home care placement in Australia. It is now a more common form of placement than foster care in some Australian states and is the most common form of placement for Indigenous children nationally. This paper reviews national data and reports ﬁndings from a state (New South Wales) study of the experience of kinship carers, children and workers. Relative carers, children and child welfare caseworkers were found to identify psychological beneﬁts, family obligation and criticism of other forms of care as reasons for preferring kinship care. Legislation and policy, particularly the Aboriginal Child Placement Principle, are also identiﬁed as factors contributing to the rise in kinship care. Concern for the high levels of stress among carers and the low levels of monitoring of children's safety and well‐being are discussed and a stronger policy and practice response from government agencies is proposed. Indications of new policy and programme responses are demonstrated by several recent initiatives at state and national levels. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Multiple forms of violence and other criminal activities as an indicator of severe child maltreatment
Authors: Stanley Janet , Goddard Chris 
Published: August 2004

AbstractChild protection practice still appears to view child maltreatment as an event largely isolated from other family violence and criminal activities. Research undertaken by the authors suggests that children who have been subjected to the more severe forms of abuse are likely to have come from families who engage in several forms of criminal activity, inside and outside the family, which is often severe in nature. The child who has been maltreated may also become a participant in these activities. The authors recommend that these factors should be investigated in families who have maltreated a child, as the presence or absence of several forms of concurrent violence and other criminal activity may provide an important clue about the welfare of the child. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A Stable Miniature Protein with Oxaloacetate Decarboxylase Activity
Authors: Weston Chris J. , Cureton Charly H. , Calvert Melanie J. , Smart Oliver S. , Allemann Rudolf K. 
Published: August 2004

AbstractAn 18‐residue miniature enzyme, Apoxaldie‐1, has been designed, based on the known structure of the neurotoxic peptide apamin. Three lysine residues were introduced on the solvent‐exposed face of the apamin α‐helix to serve as an active site for decarboxylation of oxaloacetate. The oxidised form of Apoxaldie‐1, in which two disulfide bonds stabilise the α‐helix, formed spontaneously. CD spectroscopy measurements revealed that, in its oxidised form, Apoxaldie‐1 adopted a stably folded structure, which was lost upon reduction of the disulfide bonds. Despite its small size and the absence of a designed binding pocket, Apoxaldie‐1 displayed saturation kinetics in its oxidised form and catalysed the decarboxylation of oxaloacetate at a rate that was almost four orders of magnitude faster than that observed with n‐butylamine. This rivals the performance of the best synthetic oxaloacetate decarboxylases reported to date. Unlike those, however, Apoxaldie‐1 displayed significant stability. It maintained its secondary structure at temperatures in excess of 75 °C, in the presence of high concentrations of guanidinium chloride and at pH values as low as 2.2. Apamin‐based catalysts have potential for the generation of miniature peptides that display activity under nonphysiological conditions.