bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Vitamin D deficiency and causative factors in the population of Tehran
Authors: Hashemipour Sima , Larijani Bagher , Adibi Hossein , Javadi Ebrahim , Sedaghat Mojtaba , Pajouhi Mohammad , Soltani Akbar , Shafaei Ali Reza , Hamidi Zohreh , Fard Ali Reza Khalili , Hossein-Nezhad Arash , Booya Fargol 
Published: August 2004

Abstract
Background
There are multiple studies in different countries regarding the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency. These studies showed high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in Asian countries. This study tries to elucidate the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and its influencing factors in population of Tehran.

Methods
1210 subjects 20–64 years old were randomly selected. 25 (OH) D serum levels were measured. Duration of exposure to sunlight, the type of clothing and level of calcium intake and BMI were quantified based on a questionnaire.

Results
A high percentage of vitamin D deficiency was defined in the study population. Prevalence of severe, moderate and mild Vitamin D deficiency was 9.5%, 57.6% and 14.2% respectively. Vitamin D serum levels had no significant statistical relation with the duration of exposure to sunlight, kind of clothing and BMI. Calcium intake in the normal vitamin D group was significantly higher than the other groups (714.67 ± 330.8 mg/day vs 503.39 ± 303.1, 577.93 ± 304.9,595.84 ± 313.6). Vitamin D serum levels in young and middle aged females were significantly lower than the older group.

Conclusions
Vitamin D deficiency has a high prevalence in Tehran. In order to avoid complications of vitamin D deficiency, supplemental dietary intake seems essential.
Human cytokine-induced killer cells have enhanced in vitro cytolytic activity via non-viral interleukin-2 gene transfer
Authors: Nagaraj Srinivas , Ziske Carsten , Schmidt-Wolf Ingo GH 
Published: August 2004

AbstractModulation of the immune system by genetically modified immunological effector cells is of potential therapeutic value in the treatment of malignancies. Interleukin-2 (IL-2) is a crucial cytokine which induces potent antitumor response. Cytokine-induced killer cells (CIK) have been described as highly efficient cytotoxic effector cells capable of lysing tumor cell targets and are capable of recognizing these cells in a non-MHC restricted fashion. Dendritic cells (DC) are the major antigen presenting cells. This study evaluated the antitumor effect of CIK cells which were non-virally transfected with IL-2 and co-cultured with pulsed and unpulsed DC. Human CIK cells generated from peripheral blood were transfected in vitro with plasmid encoding for the human IL-2. Transfection involved a combination of electrical parameters and a specific solution to deliver plasmid directly to the cell nucleus by using the Nucleofector® electroporation system. Nucleofection resulted in the production of IL-2 with a mean of 478.5 pg/106 cells (range of 107.6–1079.3 pg /106 cells/24 h) compared to mock transfected CIK cells (31 pg/106 cells) (P = 0.05). After co-culturing with DC their functional ability was assessed in vitro by a cytotoxicity assay. On comparison with non-transfected CIK cells co-cultured with DCs (36.5 ± 5.3 %), transfected CIK cells co-cultured with DC had a significantly higher lytic activity of 58.5 ± 3.2% (P = 0.03) against Dan G cells, a human pancreatic carcinoma cell line.
Psychosis, victimisation and childhood disadvantage
Authors: Bebbington Paul E. , Bhugra Dinesh , Brugha Traolach , Singleton Nicola , Farrell Michael , Jenkins Rachel , Lewis Glyn , Meltzer Howard 
Published: August 2004

BackgroundAdverse early circumstances may be more common in people who later develop psychotic disorders.AimsTo use data from the second British National Survey of Psychiatric Morbidity to examine associations between psychotic disorders and a number of early victimisation experiences.MethodPsychiatric disorders were identified through structured assessment of adults resident in private households in Britain (n=8580). Respondents were asked whether they had experienced selected events displayed on cards.ResultsCompared with respondents with other psychiatric disorders or with none, the prevalence of every experience bar one was significantly elevated in those with definite or probable psychosis. The largest odds ratio was for sexual abuse. Controlling for depressed mood somewhat reduced the odds ratios for the individual experiences.ConclusionsIn people with psychosis, there is a marked excess of victimising experiences, many of which will have occurred during childhood. This is suggestive of a social contribution to aetiology.
Bubbles growing in supersaturated solutions at reduced gravity
Authors: Divinis N. , Karapantsios T. D. , Kostoglou M. , Panoutsos C. S. , Bontozoglou V. , Michels A. C. , Sneep M. C. , De Bruijn R. , Lotz H. 
Published: August 2004

AbstractThis work investigates bubbles growing in a liquid saturated with a dissolved gas when its temperature is locally raised above its saturation value, yet below boiling. Local supersaturation is realized by giving heat pulses of variable power and duration to a miniature heater. The experiments are conducted in a low‐gravity environment to decouple bubble growth from buoyancy effects. A diffusion model is formulated considering the spherical growth of an internally heated bubble inside a uniformly subcooled liquid. The simple case of an isothermal bubble growth is solved analytically and compared to measurements to gain some physical insight. Two distinct regions are identified in the measured bubble growth curves: the initial stages are satisfactorily described by a parabolic (diffusion) law, whereas the later stages are approximately linear. © 2004 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 50: 2369–2382, 2004
New England medical center posterior circulation registry
Authors: Caplan Louis R. , Wityk Robert J. , Glass Thomas A. , Tapia Jorge , Pazdera Ladislav , Chang Hui‐Meng , Teal Phillip , Dashe John F. , Chaves Claudia J. , Breen Joan C. , Vemmos Kostas , Amarenco Pierre , Tettenborn Barbara , Leary Megan , Estol Conrad , Dewitt L. Dana , Pessin Michael S. 
Published: August 2004

AbstractAmong 407 New England Medical Center Posterior Circulation registry patients, 59% had strokes without transient ischemic attacks (TIAs), 24% had TIAs then strokes, and 16% had only TIAs. Embolism was the commonest stroke mechanism (40% of patients including 24% cardiac origin, 14% intraarterial, 2% cardiac and arterial sources). In 32% large artery occlusive lesions caused hemodynamic brain ischemia. Infarcts most often included the distal posterior circulation territory (rostral brainstem, superior cerebellum and occipital and temporal lobes); the proximal (medulla and posterior inferior cerebellum) and middle (pons and anterior inferior cerebellum) territories were equally involved. Severe occlusive lesions (>50% stenosis) involved more than one large artery in 148 patients; 134 had one artery site involved unilaterally or bilaterally. The commonest occlusive sites were: extracranial vertebral artery (52 patients, 15 bilateral) intracranial vertebral artery (40 patients, 12 bilateral), basilar artery (46 patients). Intraarterial embolism was the commonest mechanism of brain infarction in patients with vertebral artery occlusive disease. Thirty‐day mortality was 3.6%. Embolic mechanism, distal territory location, and basilar artery occlusive disease carried the poorest prognosis. The best outcome was in patients who had multiple arterial occlusive sites; they had position‐sensitive TIAs during months to years. Ann Neurol 2004;56:389–398
Vascular endothelial growth factor prolongs survival in a transgenic mouse model of ALS
Authors: Zheng Chengyun , Nennesmo Inger , Fadeel Bengt , Henter Jan‐Inge 
Published: August 2004

AbstractAmyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease associated with the death of motor neurons in the spinal cord and brainstem. The cause of ALS is unknown and there is no cure. This study demonstrates, for the first time, that vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) delays progression of symptoms and prolongs survival in a Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD1) transgenic mouse model of ALS. These observations suggest that VEGF or related compounds, might be of value in the treatment of ALS patients. Ann Neurol 2004
Ataxin‐7 aggregation and ubiquitination in infantile SCA7 with 180 CAG repeats
Authors: Ansorge Olaf , Giunti Paola , Michalik Andrej , Van Broeckhoven Christine , Harding Brian , Wood Nicholas , Scaravilli Francesco 
Published: August 2004

AbstractExtremely long (>150) CAG repeats are often used to create models of polyglutamine diseases yet are very rare in humans where they manifest as pediatric multisystem syndromes of little specificity. Here, we describe an infant with 180 CAG repeats in the spinocerebellar ataxia type 7 gene and focus on systemic ataxin‐7 aggregation. This was found in many organs, including the cardiovascular system. In the brain, the hippocampus emerged as a principal site of ataxin‐7 aggregation without cell loss. We note differential ubiquitination of aggregates and discuss how this may relate to selective vulnerability. Ann Neurol 2004;56:448–452
PINK1 mutations are associated with sporadic early‐onset parkinsonism
Authors: Valente Enza Maria , Salvi Sergio , Ialongo Tamara , Marongiu Roberta , Elia Antonio Emanuele , Caputo Viviana , Romito Luigi , Albanese Alberto , Dallapiccola Bruno , Bentivoglio Anna Rita 
Published: August 2004

AbstractWe have recently reported homozygous mutations in the PINK1 gene in three consanguineous families with early‐onset parkinsonism (EOP) linked to the PARK6 locus. To further evaluate the pathogenic role of PINK1 in EOP and to draw genotype–phenotype correlates, we performed PINK1 mutation analysis in a cohort of Italian EOP patients, mostly sporadic, with onset younger than 50 years of age. Seven of 100 patients carried missense mutations in PINK1. Two patients had two PINK1 mutations, whereas in five patients only one mutation was identified. Age at onset was in the fourth‐fifth decade (range, 37–47 years). The clinical picture was characterized by a typical parkinsonian phenotype with asymmetric onset and rare occurrence of atypical features. Slow progression and excellent response to levodopa were observed in all subject. Two of 200 healthy control individuals also carried one heterozygous missense mutation. The identification of a higher number of patients (5%) than controls (1%) carrying a single heterozygous mutation, along with previous positron emission tomography studies demonstrating a preclinical nigrostriatal dysfunction in PARK6 carriers, supports the hypothesis that haploinsufficiency of PINK1, as well as of other EOP genes, may represent a susceptibility factor toward parkinsonism. However, the pathogenetic significance of heterozygous PINK1 mutations still remains to be clarified. Ann Neurol 2004;56:336–341
Effects of diacrylate monomers on the mechanical properties of polymer concrete made with wet aggregates
Authors: Ahn Namshik 
Published: August 2004

AbstractBecause normal polymer concrete does not work well with wet aggregates, diacrylate (DA) monomers were evaluated for improving the mechanical properties of polymer concrete made with wet aggregates. Zinc diacrylate (ZDA) and calcium diacrylate (CDA) were each used as an additive to resins (two epoxies). The variables were the amount of diacrylate monomers and the aggregate conditions (wet or dry). Compressive strength, flexural strength, workability, working time, and curing time were measured. ZDA was found to improve the workability and the working time, and CDA was found to improve the compressive and the flexural strength. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 94: 1077–1085, 2004
Effect of primary polymer chain rigidity on intramolecular cyclization and intramolecular crosslinking in free‐radical crosslinking monomethacrylate/dimethacrylate copolymerizations
Authors: Ikeda Jun‐ichi , Hasei Yasuhide , Yasuda Yuduri , Aota Hiroyuki , Matsumoto Akira 
Published: August 2004

Abstractd‐Bornyl methacrylate (BoMA) was chosen as a typical example of bulky monomethacrylate monomers, the polymerization of which led to the formation of a rigid polymer chain. To discuss the effect of primary polymer chain rigidity on intramolecular cyclization, we compared the solution copolymerization results of BoMA with 1 mol % ethylene dimethacrylate (EDMA; n = 1) and poly(ethylene glycol dimethacrylate) [CH2C(CH3)CO(OCH2CH2)nOCOC(CH3)CH2, n = 9 (PEGDMA‐9)] with those of methyl methacrylate (MMA) with 1 mol % EDMA and PEGDMA‐9; the dependence of the weight‐average degree of polymerization on conversion for the former BoMA copolymerization systems was completely opposed to that for the latter MMA systems, and this was a reflection of a reduced occurrence of intramolecular cyclization caused by the rigidity of the primary polymer chain. The effect of primary polymer chain rigidity on intramolecular crosslinking was discussed through a comparison of both BoMA/EDMA and MMA/EDMA copolymerizations. The correlations of the intrinsic viscosity, root‐mean‐square (rms) radius of gyration, and second virial coefficient with the molecular weight were examined for both BoMA/EDMA (90/10) and MMA/EDMA (90/10) copolymerizations in a dilute solution because microgelation was observed in solution MMA/EDMA (90/10) copolymerization as a reflection of a locally extensive occurrence of intramolecular crosslinking. The logarithmic plots of both the intrinsic viscosity and rms radius of gyration versus the molecular weight for MMA/EDMA copolymerization were compared with those for the corresponding BoMA/EDMA copolymerizations. The second virial coefficients were greater than 10−5 mol cm3 g−2 for BoMA/EDMA copolymers, even when the conversion was very close to the gel point, whereas they were quite low, that is, less than 10−5 mol cm3 g−2, for an MMA/EDMA copolymer obtained at more than 15% conversion. These were ascribed to a suppressed occurrence of intramolecular crosslinking, a reflection of the lessened flexibility of the polymer main chain and a steric effect due to the bulky d‐bornyl groups. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 94: 1086–1093, 2004
Optimization of mechanical properties of polymer concrete and mix design recommendation based on design of experiments
Authors: Muthukumar M. , Mohan D. 
Published: August 2004

AbstractA series of polymer concretes using furan resin, silica aggregates, and microfiller were prepared for statistically designed combinations. The combinations were designed based on the mixture‐design concept of design of experiments. The fillers chosen for the present investigation were high‐purity naturally occurring silica of different particle sizes, their mix proportion optimized to have minimum void. For each polymer concrete combination, the mechanical properties were studied. Each response (mechanical property) was individually optimized for maximum values and compared with the experimental data. To obtain a single‐input combination, having maximum values in all the responses, a combined optimization was done and a mix design was recommended. The coefficient of correlation between the experimental values and predicted values was found to be high, proving the fitness of the selected model. The effect of individual variables on the response was discussed. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 94: 1107–1116, 2004
Phase behavior on the binary and ternary mixtures of poly(cyclohexyl acrylate) and poly(cyclohexyl methacrylate) in supercritical CO2
Authors: Byun Hun‐Soo 
Published: August 2004

AbstractHigh‐pressure phase behavior was measured for the CO2–cyclohexyl acrylate and CO2–cyclohexyl methacrylate system at 40, 60, 80, 100, and 120°C and pressure up to 206 bar. This system exhibits type I phase behavior with a continuous mixture‐critical curve. The experimental results for the CO2–cyclohexyl acrylate and CO2–cyclohexyl methacrylate system were modeled using the Peng–Robinson equation of state. Experimental cloud‐point data, at a temperature of 250°C and pressure of 2800 bar, were presented for ternary mixtures of poly(cyclohexyl acrylate)–CO2–cyclohexyl acrylate and poly(cyclohexyl methacrylate)–CO2–cyclohexyl methacrylate systems. Cloud‐point pressures of poly(cyclohexyl acrylate)–CO2–cyclohexyl acrylate system were measured in the temperature range of 40 to 180°C and at pressures as high as 2200 bar with cyclohexyl acrylate concentrations of 22.5, 27.4, 33.2, and 39.2 wt %. Results showed that adding 45.6 wt % cyclohexyl acrylate to the poly(cyclohexyl acrylate)–CO2 mixture significantly changes the phase behavior. This system changed the pressure–temperature slope of the phase behavior curves from the upper critical solution temperature (UCST) region to the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) region with increasing cyclohexyl acrylate concentration. Poly(cyclohexyl acrylate) did not dissolve in pure CO2 at a temperature of 250°C and pressure of 2800 bar. Also, the ternary poly(cyclohexyl methacrylate)–CO2–cyclohexyl methacrylate system was measured below 187°C and 2230 bar, and with cosolvent of 27.4–46.7 wt %. Poly(cyclohexyl methacrylate) did not dissolve in pure CO2 at 240°C and 2500 bar. Also, when 53.5 wt % cyclohexyl methacrylate was added to the poly(cyclohexyl methacrylate)–CO2 solution, the cloud‐point curve showed the typical appearance of the LCST boundary. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 94: 1117–1125, 2004
Thermal behavior of poly(ether ketone ketone)/thermoplastic polyimide blends
Authors: Sung Chun Yong , Weiss R. A. 
Published: August 2004

AbstractThe phase behavior and crystallization of poly(ether ketone ketone)/polyimide blends was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry and dynamic mechanical analysis, and chemical interactions in the blends were probed by Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy. Amorphous blends were miscible over the entire range of composition, although mixing was most favorable at higher thermoplastic polyimide concentrations. Blending suppressed crystallization, especially of the minor component, but crystallization of both components, however, did occur in most of the blends. While blends quenched from the melt exhibited only a single amorphous phase, melt crystallized blends appeared to possess two amorphous phases with different compositions. Shifts in the vibration frequencies of the carbonyl and imide bonds were inconsistent with the development of strong, specific intermolecular interactions, but may be explained by a disruption of the packing of the two homopolymers by nature of the mixing. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 94: 1227–1235, 2004
Melt spinning and annealing of poly(ethylene terephthalate)/p‐hydroxybenzoate liquid crystalline polymer
Authors: Bang Yun Hyuk , Lee Sun Hee , Kwon Ik Hyun , Cho Hyun Hok 
Published: August 2004

AbstractPoly(ethylene terephthalate)/p‐hydroxybenzoate (PET/PHB) copolymer materials have relatively low melt viscosity because of the 60 mol % PHB material having a value that is lower by approximately two orders of magnitude than the value for PET homopolymer. The structure development during melt spinning and thermal treatment (annealing) of liquid crystalline copolyesters, with a rigid backbone structure, were analyzed through the density, birefringence, X‐ray diffraction, DSC, dynamic viscoelasticity, and tensile testing. As the take‐up velocity increased, the birefringence of PET/PHB as‐spun fiber increased, which indicated that it directly influenced the initial modulus and specific stress. The lateral packing of PHB molecular chain in a copolymer was shown to be loosened in the course of thermal treatment. The thermal treatment slightly increased the crystal orientation factor, whereas total molecular orientation was decreased by annealing. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 94: 1265–1278, 2004
Synthesis and characterization of hybrid membranes using poly(vinyl alcohol) and tetraethylorthosilicate for the pervaporation separation of water–isopropanol mixtures
Authors: Kulkarni Srikant S. , Kittur Arjumand A. , Aralaguppi Mrityunjaya I. , Kariduraganavar Mahadevappa Y. 
Published: August 2004

AbstractHybrid membranes were prepared using poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS) via hydrolysis and cocondensation reaction for the pervaporation separation of water‐isopropanol mixtures. The resulting membranes were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction, and differential scanning calorimetry. The glass transition temperature of these membranes varied from 100 to 120°C with increasing TEOS content. Effects of crosslinking density and feed compositions on the pervaporation performances of the membranes were studied. The membrane containing 1.5:1 mass ratio of TEOS to PVA gave the highest separation selectivity of 900 at 30°C for 10 mass % of water in the feed mixture. It was found that the separation selectivity and permeation flux data are strongly dependent on the water composition of the feed and operating temperature. However, the membrane with the highest crosslinking density showed unusual pervaporation properties. The overall activation energy values were calculated using the Arrhenius‐type equation. The activation energy values for the permeation and diffusion varied from 49.18 to 64.96 and 55.13 to 67.31 kJ/mol, respectively. Pervaporation data have also been explained on the basis of thermodynamic quantities. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 94: 1304–1315, 2004
Anatomy of efferent hepatic nerves
Authors: McCuskey Robert S. 
Published: August 2004

AbstractThe role of neural elements in regulating blood flow through the hepatic sinusoids, solute exchange, and parenchymal function is incompletely understood. This is due in part to limited investigation in only a few species whose hepatic innervation may differ significantly from humans. For example, most experimental studies have used rats and mice having livers with little or no intralobular innervation. In contrast, most other mammals, including humans, have aminergic and peptidergic nerves extending from perivascular plexus in the portal space into the lobule, where they course in Disse's space in close relationship to stellate cells (fat storing cells of Ito) and hepatic parenchymal cells. While these fibers extend throughout the lobule, they predominate in the periportal region. Cholinergic innervation, however, appears to be restricted to structures in the portal space and immediately adjacent hepatic parenchymal cells. Neuropeptides have been colocalized with neurotransmitters in both adrenergic and cholinergic nerves. Neuropeptide Y (NPY) has been colocalized in aminergic nerves supplying all segments of the hepatic‐portal venous and the hepatic arterial and biliary systems. Nerve fibers immunoreactive for substance P and somatostatin follow a similar distribution. Intralobular distribution of all of these nerve fibers is species‐dependent and similar to that reported for aminergic fibers. Vasoactive intestinal peptide and calcitonin gene‐related peptide (CGRP) are reported to coexist in cholinergic and sensory afferent nerves innervating portal veins and hepatic arteries and their branches, but not the other vascular segments or the bile ducts. Nitrergic nerves immunoreactive for neuronal nitric oxide (nNOS) are located in the portal tract where nNOS colocalizes with both NPY‐ and CGRP‐containing fibers. In summary, the liver is innervated by aminergic, cholinergic, peptidergic, and nitrergic nerves. While innervation of structures in the portal tract is relatively similar between species, the extent and distribution of intralobular innervation are highly variable as well as species‐dependent and may be inversely related to the density of gap junctions between contiguous hepatic parenchymal cells. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.