bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prognostic impact of DNA ploidy pattern, S‐phase fraction (SPF), and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in patients with primary gastric lymphoma
Authors: Belessi Chrysoula J. , Parasi Aikaterini S. , Manioudaki Helen S. , Laoutaris Nikolaos P. , Legakis Nikolaos C. , Peros Georgios Th. , Androulakis Georgios A. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractBackgroundDNA ploidy, S‐phase fraction (SPF), and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) are considered to be significant prognostic factors in non‐Hodgkin lymphomas. However, reports on their prognostic importance in gastric lymphoma patients are relatively lacking.MethodsIn the present study, we retrospectively studied the above‐mentioned parameters in 29 patients with primary gastric lymphoma; 11/29 had B‐low grade mucosa associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma (B‐MALT), while 18/29 had diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL), according to WHO classification. Proliferative activity was studied by staining against PCNA; in addition, the prognostic significance of DNA ploidy and SPF, as determined by flow cytometry, were investigated and compared to the results of the PCNA stainings.ResultsSeven out of 29 patients were found to have aneuploid tumors; DNA index values were >1 for all aneuploid lymphomas. There was no difference in DNA aneuploidy in MALT vs. DLBCL. The mean percentage of SPF was 11.4. SPF was found significantly lower in MALT vs. DLBCL (P < 0.05). The mean percentage of PCNA positive tumor cells was 52.6. PCNA protein expression was significantly lower in MALT vs. DLBCL (P < 0.0001). There was a significant positive correlation between PCNA score and SPF (P < 0.01, by Spearman analysis). DNA ploidy had no impact on survival in the present study. Both SPF and PCNA expression were important prognostic factors in the univariate analysis; however, in the multivariate analysis, the only independent prognostic factor for survival was PCNA expression.ConclusionsThese findings indicate that SPF and PCNA are significant prognostic factors in patients with primary gastric lymphomas. However, in the present study, DNA ploidy had no impact on survival in patients with primary gastric lymphomas. J. Surg. Oncol. 2003;82:247–255. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Biodegradable Laminates Based on Gelatin, 2
Authors: Apostolov Anton A. , Fakirov Stoyko , Hoffmann Jürgen , Friedrich Klaus 
Published: March 2003

AbstractCompression moulded laminates based on a gelatin or a blended gelatin/starch matrix reinforced by fabrics (linen or silk) were prepared. Three linen or five silk sheets with a powdered matrix between them were compression moulded at 180 °C for several minutes. In addition, cross‐linked laminates were obtained by using methylenedi(p‐phenyl) diisocyanate as a cross‐linking agent expected to obtain an improved integrity between the matrix and the reinforcing elements. In this way a total of ten uncross‐linked and cross‐linked samples differing in the type of the matrix (gelatin or gelatin/starch) and the type of the reinforcing element (linen or silk), both uncross‐linked and cross‐linked, were obtained. All samples were characterized by means of mechanical testing (Young's modulus, tensile strength, elongation at break and impact strength), as reported in Part 1 of this study. In the present Part 2, the same ten samples were artificially weathered, and changes in both the mechanical properties and the specific wear rate with aging time were followed. It was found that the majority of the mechanical parameters generally became worse with aging time; only the Young's modulus and the tensile strength remained on the same order of magnitude for all laminates. The linen reinforced laminates showed much higher values of the deformation at break, the impact strength and the wear resistance in comparison to the silk reinforced laminates. A similar tendency was found for the sliding wear tests against smooth steel counterparts. A reinforcement of gelatin or gelatin/starch with linen was much more effective in improving the laminate wear resistance than a reinforcement with silk. In addition, the abrasion resistance of neat gelatin was found to be much higher than that of the gelatin/starch blend, as evaluated by the Taber index.Dependence of Young's modulus on aging time for the neat matrix samples (gelatin and gelatin/starch) and the compression moulded laminates reinforced with fabrics.magnified imageDependence of Young's modulus on aging time for the neat matrix samples (gelatin and gelatin/starch) and the compression moulded laminates reinforced with fabrics.
Simulation of Nylon 6 Polymerization in an Industrial Two‐Step VK Tubular Reactor
Authors: Wenhua Xiao , Huang Nanxun , Tang Zhilian , Filippini‐Fantoni Roberto 
Published: March 2003

AbstractA commonly used nylon 6 two‐step VK tubular reactor is simulated in this work. To verify the reliability of the model, careful comparison with results obtained on different continuous plants is made. The effect of various conditions and parameters, e.g. feed composition, temperature, pressure, etc. on the product properties such as caprolactam conversion, degree of polymerization (DP), dimer, integral heat and their distribution index is studied. It is observed that the caprolactam conversion and DP of the product may be affected by various conditions in the first stage and the temperature profile at the top of the second stage, but they finally reach the equilibrium values if the residence time is long enough. The most effective way to increase DP of the product is to increase the vacuum at the top of the second stage.
CPL conversion and DP profile for pressure of tube 2: 0.032, 0.037, 0.042 mPa; other parameters as given for example A of Table 5.magnified imageCPL conversion and DP profile for pressure of tube 2: 0.032, 0.037, 0.042 mPa; other parameters as given for example A of Table 5.
Structure‐Property Relationships of New Water‐Soluble Grafted Starches with Amphoteric Character
Authors: Zhang Li‐Ming , Chen Dan‐Qing 
Published: March 2003

AbstractIn an attempt to develop an environmentally friendly, multifunctional mud additive for oilfield drilling treatment, new water‐soluble grafted starches with amphoteric character were prepared by grafting the mixed monomer system of 2‐acrylamido‐2‐methyl‐1‐propane sulfonic acid (AMPS) and 2‐(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate (DMAEM) onto naturally occurring potato starch, and characterized by IR and composition analyses. Their structure‐property relationships with respect to the hydration suppression of the swellable clay and the control of mud rheology were studied with the help of clay hydration‐swelling test, mud rheology test, and SEM observation. It has been found that the grafting of DMAEM enhances the inhibition effectiveness of clay hydration‐swelling and that the grafting of AMPS increases the viscosity of the treated muds and the tolerance to added salt. Compared with the partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide with a degree of hydrolysis of 16%, a typical polymeric additive used in current drilling fluids, such grafted starch with suitable grafting percentage and composition has some distinct advantages in the formulation of water‐based drilling muds.Swelling percentage (Sp) of the clay pellets as a function of hydration time (t) in water and various sample solutions.magnified imageSwelling percentage (Sp) of the clay pellets as a function of hydration time (t) in water and various sample solutions.
Preparation and Combustion Properties of Flame Retardant Nylon 6/Montmorillonite Nanocomposite
Authors: Hu Yuan , Wang Shaofeng , Ling Zhihua , Zhuang Yonglong , Chen Zuyao , Fan Weicheng 
Published: March 2003

AbstractFlame retardant Nylon 6 (PA6)/montmorillonite (MMT) nanocomposites have been prepared using direct melt intercalation technique by blending PA6, organophilic clay and conventional fire retardants, such as the melamine cyanurate (MCA) and the combination of decabromodiphenyl oxide (DB) and antimony oxide (AO). Their morphology and combustion properties are characterized by XRD, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), UL‐94 test and Cone Calorimeter experiments. The flame retardant nanocomposites with MCA or DB and AO show lower heat release rate (HRR) peak compared to that of conventional flame retardant PA6. Meanwhile, the synergetic effect was studied between clay and DB‐AO.TEM of PA‐n nanocomposite.magnified imageTEM of PA‐n nanocomposite.
Differential Scanning Calorimetry Study of Blends of Poly(ethylene glycol) with Selected Fatty Acids
Authors: Pielichowski Krzysztof , Flejtuch Kinga 
Published: March 2003

AbstractA series of blends of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) with different molecular weights with: (i) capric, (ii) lauric, (iii) myristic, (iv) palmitic or (v) stearic acid, as a thermal energy storage material, has been investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Transition temperatures and latent heat of transition of PEG, fatty acids and their binary blends were determined since these properties are of primary importance in the design of phase change energy storage materials. The experimental results showed that it is possible to obtain homogeneous (as indicated by DSC data) polymer/fatty acid blends by mixing in the melt and subsequent solidification. The melting ranges of PEG/fatty acid systems were observed to be from 30 to 72 °C while their heat of transition lies in the range of 168–208 J · g−1. Synergistic action of the components was found for PEG 10 000/stearic acid blend – heat of transition was ca. 15 and 35% higher than for pure stearic acid and PEG, respectively. This phenomena may be explained in terms of strengthened specific interactions via hydrogen bonding leading to formation of more perfect crystalline lattice.DSC melting and freezing curves of blends PEG/lauric acid. 1 ‐ PEG 3 400/lauric acid, 2 ‐ PEG 10 000/lauric acid, 3 ‐ PEG 20 000/lauric acid, 4 ‐ PEG 35 000/lauric acid (cooling ‐ 10 K · min−1), 5 ‐ PEG 3 400/lauric acid, 6 ‐ PEG 10 000/lauric acid, 7 ‐ PEG 20 000/lauric acid, 8 ‐ PEG 35 000/lauric acid (heating ‐ 10 K · min−1).magnified imageDSC melting and freezing curves of blends PEG/lauric acid. 1 ‐ PEG 3 400/lauric acid, 2 ‐ PEG 10 000/lauric acid, 3 ‐ PEG 20 000/lauric acid, 4 ‐ PEG 35 000/lauric acid (cooling ‐ 10 K · min−1), 5 ‐ PEG 3 400/lauric acid, 6 ‐ PEG 10 000/lauric acid, 7 ‐ PEG 20 000/lauric acid, 8 ‐ PEG 35 000/lauric acid (heating ‐ 10 K · min−1).
SCA2 may present as levodopa‐responsive parkinsonism
Authors: Payami Haydeh , Nutt John , Gancher Steven , Bird Thomas , McNeal Melissa Gonzales , Seltzer William K. , Hussey Jennifer , Lockhart Paul , Gwinn‐Hardy Katrina , Singleton Amanda A. , Singleton Andrew B. , Hardy John , Farrer Matthew 
Published: March 2003

AbstractSome kindreds with familial parkinsonism exhibit genetic anticipation, suggesting possible involvement of trinucleotide repeat expansion. Recent reports have shown trinucleotide repeat expansions in the spinocerebellar ataxia 2 (SCA2) gene in patients with levodopa‐responsive parkinsonism. We tested 136 unrelated patients with familial parkinsonism for SCA2 mutations. Two probands had borderline mutations; the rest were normal. (≤31 repeats is normal, 32–35 is borderline, ≥36 is pathogenic). The expanded allele segregated with neurological signs in one kindred. The absence of borderline mutations in the normal population, and the co‐segregation of the expanded allele with neurological signs in one kindred suggest that SCA2 mutations may be responsible for a subset of familial parkinsonism. © 2002 Movement Disorder Society
Prevalence of essential tremor in three elderly populations of central Spain
Authors: Benito‐León Julián , Bermejo‐Pareja Félix , Morales José‐Manuel , Vega Saturio , Molina José‐Antonio 
Published: March 2003

AbstractAlthough essential tremor (ET) is considered the most prevalent adult movement disorder, the available information on its prevalence and distribution worldwide is not completely understood. We investigated the prevalence and distribution of ET in three elderly Spanish populations using a door‐to‐door, two‐phase approach. A brief screening instrument was administered on May 1, 1994 to subjects over 64 years old taken from the census of one urban municipality of Greater Madrid (quarter of Margaritas, Getafe), one urban district of Madrid (Lista), and one rural site (Arévalo county, Ávila) (N = 5,278). Study subjects were limited to those who screened positively (N = 472). To increase reliability, each patient was examined by 3 experienced neurologists, and was classified as having ET only when all 3 neurologists agreed (183 of 472). The present study was part of a large‐scale epidemiological survey of neurological diseases, and served as a baseline investigation in a 3‐year incidence study. Accordingly, 41 ET patients were identified when evaluating subjects who had screened positively for dementia, stroke, or parkinsonism, despite the fact that they had screened negatively for tremor; furthermore, 32 additional ET prevalent cases were detected when evaluating subjects who had screened positively for tremor in the second cross‐sectional study (May 1, 1997), although they had screened negatively for tremor in the first cross‐sectional study. We identified 256 persons (152 women, 104 men) with ET; of these, 87 patients (34.0%) reported having an affected relative. Two hundred and four (79.7%) of the subjects with ET were detected through this screening and had not been diagnosed previously. The prevalence of ET was 4.8% (95% CI = 4.2–5.4) for the total population; 4.6% (95% CI = 3.7–5.4) in men and 5.0% (95% CI = 4.2–5.8) in women. Age‐specific prevalence increased with advancing age for both men and women. Despite the variability in worldwide data, ET is a frequently encountered disorder in elderly people. Furthermore, as ET may be seen as a relatively benign condition, a large proportion of patients may never seek neurological attention. © 2002 Movement Disorder Society
Olfaction in neurodegenerative disorder
Authors: Hawkes Christopher 
Published: March 2003

AbstractThere has been an increase of interest in olfactory dysfunction since it was realised that anosmia was a common feature of idiopathic Parkinson's disease (PD) and Alzheimer‐type dementia (AD). It is an intriguing possibility that the first sign of a disorder hitherto regarded as one of movement or cognition may be that of disturbed smell sense. In this review of PD, parkinsonian syndromes, essential tremor, AD, motor neurone disease (MND) and Huntington's chorea (HC) the following observations are made: 1) olfactory dysfunction is frequent and often severe in PD and AD; 2) normal smell identification in PD is rare and should prompt review of diagnosis unless the patient is female with tremor‐dominant disease; 3) anosmia in suspected progressive supranuclear palsy and corticobasal degeneration is atypical and should likewise provoke diagnostic review; 4) hyposmia is an early feature of PD and AD and may precede motor and cognitive signs respectively; 5) subjects with anosmia and one ApoE‐4 allele have an approximate 5‐fold increased risk of later AD; 6) impaired smell sense is seen in some patients at 50% risk of parkinsonism; 7) smell testing in HC and MND where abnormality may be found, is not likely to be of clinical value; and 8) biopsy of olfactory nasal neurons shows non‐specific changes in PD and AD and at present will not aid diagnosis. © 2003 Movement Disorder Society
Globus pallidus internus deep brain stimulation for dystonic conditions: A prospective audit
Authors: Yianni John , Bain Peter , Giladi Nir , Auca Marieta , Gregory Ralph , Joint Carole , Nandi Dipankar , Stein John , Scott Richard , Aziz Tipu 
Published: March 2003

AbstractIn the current era of functional surgery for movement disorders, deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the globus pallidus internus (GPi) is emerging as the favoured target in the treatment of patients with dystonia. The results of 25 consecutive patients with medically intractable dystonia (12 with generalised dystonia, 7 with spasmodic torticollis, and 6 with other types of dystonia) treated with GPi stimulation are reported. Although comparisons were limited by differences in their respective neurological rating scales, chronic DBS benefited all groups, resulting in clear and progressive improvements in their condition. This study clearly demonstrates that DBS of the GPi provides amelioration of intractable dystonia. © 2002 Movement Disorder Society
Reversible reorganisation of the motor cortical representation of the hand in cervical dystonia
Authors: Thickbroom Gary W. , Byrnes Michelle L. , Stell Rick , Mastaglia Frank L. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractPrevious work has suggested that there may be a widespread disturbance of motor control mechanisms in patients with cervical dystonia. In the present study, we used transcranial magnetic stimulation to investigate the topography of the corticomotor projection to the abductor pollicis brevis (APB) muscle in 10 subjects with idiopathic torticollis. Threshold‐adjusted stimuli were delivered at multiple scalp sites during a low‐level voluntary contraction of the APB, and maps were generated of motor evoked potential amplitude versus scalp site. The cortical maps for the APB on the side opposite to the direction of head rotation were displaced laterally or posteriorly in all subjects and reverted to a more normal position after botulinum toxin injection of the cervical muscles in 5 subjects. The findings point to a reversible reorganisation of the corticomotor representation of the hand on the same side as the sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle that is involved in producing the dystonia. These results provide further evidence for the involvement of cortical centres and for a more widespread abnormality of motor control mechanisms in focal dystonia. The findings also support the notion that head turning is chiefly mediated by the hemisphere ipsilateral to the direction of the head rotation by means of a corticomotor projection to the contralateral SCM. © 2003 Movement Disorder Society
Severe forward flexion of the trunk in Parkinson's disease: Focal myopathy of the paraspinal muscles mimicking camptocormia
Authors: Schäbitz Wolf‐Rüdiger , Glatz Katharina , Schuhan Christian , Sommer Clemens , Berger Christian , Schwaninger Markus , Hartmann Marius , Hilmar Goebel Hans , Meinck Hans‐Michael 
Published: March 2003

AbstractPronounced forward flexion of the trunk, often termed camptocormia, is a typical symptom of patients with Parkinson's disease. In 4 parkinsonian patients with camptocormia, paraspinal muscles were studied by electromyography (EMG) and axial computerized tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans and muscle biopsy. EMG of the lumbar and thoracic paravertebral muscles showed abundant fibrillations, positive sharp waves, and bizarre high‐frequency discharges. Spinal CT and MRI scans revealed variable degrees of atrophy and fatty replacement of the thoracolumbar paraspinal muscles on both sides. No other signs of neuromuscular disease were found. Biopsy of the paraspinal muscles revealed end‐stage myopathy with autophagic vacuoles, chronic inflammatory myopathy, unspecific myopathic changes, or mitochondrial myopathy. In parkinsonian patients with pronounced forward flexion of the trunk, myopathy confined to the erector spinae muscles must be considered. © 2003 Movement Disorder Society
Higher incidence of depression preceding the onset of Parkinson's disease: A register study
Authors: Leentjens Albert F.G. , Van den Akker Marjan , Metsemakers Job F.M. , Lousberg Richel , Verhey Frans R.J. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractAlthough case histories of depression preceding Parkinson's disease (PD) point to a possible pathophysiological relationship between these two disorders, there is as yet no epidemiological evidence to support this view. We compared the incidence of depression in patients later diagnosed with PD with that of a matched control population. Using data from an ongoing general practice‐based register study, the lifetime incidence of depressive disorder was calculated for patients until their diagnosis of PD and compared with that of a matched control population from the same register. At the time of analysis, the register held information on 105,416 people. At the time of their diagnosis of PD, 9.2% of the patients had a history of depression, compared with 4.0% of the control population (χ2 = 22.388, df = 1, P < 0.001). The odds ratio for a history of depression for these patients was 2.4 (95% CI: 2.1–2.7). We concluded that the higher incidence of depression in patients who were later diagnosed with PD supports the hypothesis of there being a biological risk factor for depression in these patients. © 2003 Movement Disorder Society
fruitless Gene is required to maintain neuronal identity in evenskipped‐expressing neurons in the embryonic CNS of Drosophila
Authors: Song Ho‐Juhn , Taylor Barbara J. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractThe fruitless (fru) gene acts sex‐nonspecifically in the development of the embryonic central nervous system (CNS) and has sex as well as sex‐nonspecific functions in the development of the adult CNS. In the embryo, sex‐nonspecific fru mRNAs and proteins are widely expressed during neurogenesis and present in both neurons and glia. To assess whether the fru gene played any role in fate determination of neuronal precursors and neurons, we examined the development of Eve‐positive (Eve+) GMCs and neurons in fru mutants. In fru mutant embryos in which most or all fru transcripts were eliminated, the normal complement of Eve+ neurons was present initially, but some neurons were unable to maintain their Eve‐expression. Concomitantly, a subset of Eve+ neurons also showed inappropriate expression of the glial marker, reversed polarity. In addition, neurons that normally do not express Eve became Eve+ in these fru mutants. These defects were rescued in fru mutant embryos expressing specific fru transgenes under the control of the sca‐GAL4 and elav‐GAL4 drivers. These phenotypic analyses and rescue experiments provide evidence that one of the sex‐nonspecific functions of the fru gene is the maintenance of neuronal identity rather than establishment of a neuron's initial fate. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Neurobiol 55: 115–133, 2003
School‐based health centers: Opportunities and challenges for school psychologists
Authors: Meyers Adena B. , Swerdlik Mark E. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractSchool psychologists have the potential to contribute to the development and delivery of health and mental health services through school‐based health centers (SBHCs). Possible roles for school psychologists within SBHCs are described. Factors that influence school psychologists' efforts within SBHCs are discussed, including factors such as system reforms, school system governance, importance of SBHC to stakeholders, and availability of funding. Knowledge of collaborative problem solving, effective prevention and intervention strategies, and recognition of limitations of traditional mental health programs were also identified as facilitators of the school psychologist's role in a SBHC. Factors that may impede the development of SBHCs are reviewed. These factors include definitional confusion, deemphasis on prevention, community stigma, limited resources, lack of integration and coordination of services, and an emphasis on a narrow role of providing only medical services. Additional factors discussed include the narrow role of school psychologists, space limitations, the challenge of collaboration, role strain, and lack of research on interventions within a SBHC. Strategies for overcoming barriers are suggested. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Psychol Schs 40: 253–264, 2003.