bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mechanosensation and pain
Authors: Lewin Gary R. , Moshourab Rabih 
Published: September 2004

AbstractThe ability of cells to detect and transduce mechanical stimuli impinging on them is a fundamental process that underlies normal cell growth, hearing, balance, touch, and pain. Surprisingly, little research has focused on mechanotransduction as it relates to the sensations of somatic touch and pain. In this article we will review data on the wealth of different mechanosensitive sensory neurons that innervate our main somatic sense organ the skin. The role of different types of mechanosensitive sensory neurons in pain under physiological and pathophysiological conditions (allodynia and hyperalgesia) will also be reviewed. Finally, recent work on the cellular and molecular mechanisms by which mechanoreceptive sensory neurons signal both innocuous and noxious sensation is evaluated in the context of pain. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Neurobiol 61: 30–44, 2004
Temperature perception and nociception
Authors: Green Barry G. 
Published: September 2004

AbstractThe specificity theory of somesthesis holds that perceptions of warmth, cold, and pain are served by separate senses. Although no longer accepted in all its details, the theory's basic assumptions of anatomical and functional specificity have remained guiding principles in research on temperature perception and its relationship to pain. This article reviews the response characteristics of thermoreceptors, temperature‐sensitive nociceptors, and their associated pathways in the context of old and new perceptual phenomena, most of which cannot be satisfactorily explained by the specificity theory. The evidence indicates that throughout most of the perceptual range, temperature sensitivity depends upon coactivation of, and interactions among, thermal and nociceptive pathways that are composed of both specific “labeled lines” and nonspecific, multimodal fibers. Adding to this complexity is evidence that tactile stimulation can influence the way in which thermal stimulation is perceived. It is argued that thermoreception is best defined as a functional subsystem of somesthesis that serves the very different and sometimes conflicting demands of thermoregulation, protection from thermal injury, and haptic perception. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Neurobiol 61: 13–29, 2004
Invertebrate nociception: Behaviors, neurons and molecules
Authors: Tobin David M. , Bargmann Cornelia I. 
Published: September 2004

AbstractGenetic analysis of nociceptive behaviors in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans and the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster has led to the discovery of conserved sensory transduction channels and signaling molecules. These are embedded in neurons and circuits that generate responses to noxious signals. This article reviews the neurons and molecular mechanisms that underlie invertebrate nociception. We begin with the neurobiology of invertebrate nociception, and then focus on molecules with conserved functions in vertebrate nociception and sensory biology. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Neurobiol 61: 161–174, 2004
Responsibilities and roles of boards in nonprofit organizations: The Israeli case
Authors: Iecovich Esther 
Published: September 2004

AbstractIn this study, nine roles and responsibilities of boards of directors in nonprofit organizations in Israel are examined and perceptions of these roles and responsibilities by chairpersons of the boards and the executive directors are compared. Four groupings of board roles were found: senior human resource management, maintenance of relationships with the task environment, policymaking, and fiscal management and fundraising. The findings show that in most organizations boards fulfill all these roles and play a significant role in decision making. A significant consensus exists between chairpersons and executive directors in respect to most of the boards' roles, whereas significant differences in perceptions were found in respect to financial matters and maintenance of relationships with the task environment.
The devil is in the details: Implementing secular outcome measurement methods in faith‐based organizations
Authors: Fischer Robert L. 
Published: September 2004

AbstractFaith‐based organizations (FBOs) are now being encouraged to seek federal funding for the purpose of supporting faith‐based delivery of social services in local communities (that is, the Compassionate Capital Fund). This shift in the federal perspective has resulted in increased attention to the effectiveness of the services provided by FBOs. Though rigorous demonstrations are needed to determine the relative effectiveness of FBO services, other available alternatives offer a viable avenue to aid FBOs in improving their programs and monitoring their success. One such alternative is the use of outcome measurement techniques, such as those that have been infusing the nonprofit sector in the United States since the mid‐1990s, particularly among United Way–funded programs. This chapter discusses how to adapt secular outcomes measurement approaches to faith‐based organizations and their programs and the likely pitfalls that FBOs will face.
Spouses of persons with dementia: Their healthcare problems, utilization, and costs
Authors: Kolanowski Ann M. , Fick Donna , Waller Jennifer L. , Shea Dennis 
Published: September 2004

AbstractSpouses of persons with dementia (PWD) often experience poor health outcomes related to the experience of living with the afflicted spouse. Using the Anderson and Aday Healthcare Utilization Model, we conducted a retrospective review of an administrative database from a private healthcare insurer to compare health problems that precipitate utilization, patterns of utilization, and costs of care of spouses of PWD (n = 979) to those of spouses of persons without dementia (n = 979). Spouses of PWD were treated for more anxiety disorders (OR = 2.97; 95% CI = 1.63–5.44), falls (OR = 7.72; 95% CI = 2.73‐21.84), rheumatologic diseases (OR = 2.5; 95% CI = 1.24–5.06), and diabetes with no complications (OR = 1.53; 95% CI = 1.06‐2.22), but less pneumonia (OR = .55; 95%; CI = .35–.88) than comparison spouses. Spouses of PWD had a higher number of emergency room (ER) visits (p = .01). There were no differences in costs between the groups. The findings can be used to develop interventions for spouses of PWD. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Res Nurs Health 27:296–306, 2004
First identification of an ancient Egyptian mummified human placenta
Authors: Mekota A.‐M. , Grupe G. , Zimmerman M. R. , Vermehren M. 
Published: September 2004

AbstractIn the course of excavations at Thebes‐West, Upper Egypt, a human organ was recovered from the poorly preserved torso of a female mummy, which was archaeologically dated to the New Kingdom. In the field, the organ was tentatively identified as a liver, but without much certainty. After rehydration and fixation, histological observations led to a rejection of this diagnosis and resulted in the hypothesis that this organ could be a placenta. Comparative histology, performed on an experimentally mummified modern human placenta, revealed a close similarity of microstructural features, which strongly supports the diagnosis of the organ as a placenta. In this paper, we can therefore present the first report of an ancient Egyptian mummified human placenta and provide new insight into Egyptian funeral practices in general, and the fate of the excavated female in particular. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
PGD analysis for aneuploidy in a patient heterozygous for a polymorphism of chromosome 16 (16qh−)
Authors: Colls Pere , Sandalinas Mireia , Pagidas Kelly , Munné Santiago 
Published: September 2004

AbstractObjectivesDetection and study of a polymorphism of chromosome 16qh in preimplantational embryos as well as in peripheral blood from the carrier.MethodsA polymorphism of chromosome 16 (16qh−) was detected in PGD analysis for aneuploidy using a probe for the centromeric region of chromosome 16. The lack of pericentromeric heterochromatin in one of the chromosomes 16 could lead to misdiagnosis in PGD. PGD analysis using telomeric probes for this chromosome was performed to confirm the polymorphism as well as to avoid misdiagnosis in embryo blastomeres. FISH in lymphocyte metaphases was used to detect the carrier.ResultsTelomeric probes allowed detection of a polymorphism for the centromeric region of chromosome 16. FISH with centromeric and telomeric probes in lymphocyte metaphases of the parents showed that the patient was the carrier of the polymorphism.ConclusionIt is highly recommended that telomeric probes for chromosome 16 be used in preimplantation genetic diagnosis when a high frequency of monosomy for chromosome 16 is observed after regular aneuploidy analysis. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Double‐outlet right ventricle with absent left ventricle and mitral atresia in a fetus with a deletion 22q12
Authors: L'Herminé‐Coulomb Aurore , Houyel Lucille , Aboura Azzedine , Audibert François , Dal Soglio Dorothée , Tachdjian Gérard 
Published: September 2004

AbstractInterstitial deletions of chromosomal region 22q12 are rare. We report the prenatal diagnosis of a de novo interstitial deletion 22q12. The fetus was karyotyped because of a complex cardiac anomaly. Conventional and molecular cytogenetics showed a female karyotype with a de novo pericentric inversion of one chromosome 22 associated with a deletion of the chromosomal region 22q12 leading to a partial monosomy 22q12. At autopsy, the fetus showed double‐outlet right ventricle (DORV) with absent left ventricle and mitral atresia. This observation suggests that one or several genes for the early looping step of heart development may reside in chromosomal region 22q12. Further studies are needed to identify these genes, and to search microdeletions of 22q12 region in patients with DORV. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Total cell‐free DNA (β‐globin gene) distribution in maternal plasma at the second trimester: a new prospective for preeclampsia screening
Authors: Farina Antonio , Sekizawa Akihiko , Iwasaki Mariko , Matsuoka Ryu , Ichizuka Kiyotake , Okai Takashi 
Published: September 2004

AbstractObjectivesLevels of cell‐free foetal DNA (f‐DNA) in maternal plasma are higher in those asymptomatic subjects who will eventually develop preeclampsia. f‐DNA is, however, informative only for those women bearing a male foetus, by amplification of Y‐specific sequences and represents a small fraction of total circulating DNA that can be dosed by using ubiquitous genes as well as β‐globin. In this study, we examined the quantitative distribution of total DNA by amplification of β‐globin gene, in asymptomatic women matched with controls to evaluate its possible role in predicting preeclampsia.MethodsForty‐eight low‐risk women (8 asymptomatic cases matched for gestational age at the second trimester with 40 controls) were enrolled in the present study. β‐globin concentrations were converted into multiples of the median of the controls (MoM), in order to assess the possible different distribution of β‐globin MoM in cases and controls.ResultsMoM values were as follows: controls, 1.00 ± 0.59; asymptomatic cases, 1.99 ± 1.95. After Gaussian conversion of data, at a false‐positive rate (FPR) of 5%, the detection rate (DR) was 46%.Conclusionβ‐globin (total DNA) levels are higher in those patients who subsequently developed preeclampsia and can potentially be used in screening for early detection of the disease. These findings represent a step forward in the study of cell‐free DNA in maternal blood as a screening variable, because it overcomes the gender limitations of foetal DNA screening. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Activation and expression of proteins during synchronous germination of aerial spores of Streptomyces granaticolor
Authors: Bobek Jan , Halada Petr , Angelis Jakub , Vohradský Jiři , Mikulík Karel 
Published: September 2004

AbstractSynchronously germinating aerial spores of Streptomyces granaticolor were used to study protein activation and expression during the transition from dormant to metabolically active vegetative forms. The first phase of protein activation is associated with the solubility of proteins. Three major chaperones, DnaK, Trigger factor, and GroEL, were identified in spores. Enhancement in rate of protein synthesis during germination was accompanied by the association of TF and DnaK with ribosomes. During germination, the chaperones TF, GroEL, and DnaK undergo reversible phosphorylation. GroEL was phosphorylated on both Ser and Thr, whereas phosphorylation of DnaK and TF was detected on Thr only. A proteomic approach was used to gain more information on protein expression during germination on two types of media differing in the ability of cells to produce antibiotic granaticin. To obtain an overview of the metabolic activity of germinating spores, glycolytic enzymes, enzymes of citric acid cycle, metabolism of amino acids and nucleic acids, and components of the protein synthesis system were identified and analyzed using the proteomic database. The results were deposited on the SWICZ proteomic server and are accessible on http://proteom.biomed.cas.cz.
The influence of agr and σB in growth phase dependent regulation of virulence factors in Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Ziebandt Anne‐Kathrin , Becher Dörte , Ohlsen Knut , Hacker Jörg , Hecker Michael , Engelmann Susanne 
Published: September 2004

AbstractThe expression of many virulence determinants in Staphylococcus aureus is tightly coordinated generally by global regulatory elements such as accessory gene regulator (agr), staphylococcal accessory regulator and the alternative sigma factor σB. We have compared the two‐dimensional (2‐D) protein pattern of extracellular protein extracts of wild‐type cells with the 2‐D patterns of the respective regulatory mutants in order to identify proteins whose amount is influenced by a mutation in agr or sigB. In order to quantify changes in the level of interesting proteins we used the Ettan‐fluorescence difference gel electrophoresis technique (Amersham Biosciences). As in most bacteria, the amount of extracellular proteins was strongly regulated and increased mainly in the stationary phase of growth at high cell densities. By comparing the extracellular protein pattern of the RN6390 rsbU strain with that of an isogenic agr mutant RN6911 we show that the level of about 70 protein spots changed in the mutant. To analyze the role of σB in virulence gene expression an RsbU+ (RN6390 RsbU+) derivative was included in this study. The protein pattern of the RsbU+ strain (RN6390 RsbU+) was very similar to that of the Δagr/ΔrsbU mutant strain (RN6911) indicating an opposing effect of agr and rsbU on the expression of the same genes.
Synthesis and characterization of N‐substituted hyperbranched polyureas
Authors: Ambade Ashootosh V. , Kumar Anil 
Published: September 2004

AbstractN,N′‐disubstituted hyperbranched polyureas with methyl, benzyl, and allyl substitutents were synthesized starting from AB2 monomers based on 3,5‐diamino benzoic acid. Carbonyl azide approach, which generates isocyanate group in situ on thermal decomposition, was used for the protection of isocyanate functional groups. The N‐substituted hyperbranched polymers can be considered as the new class of internally functionalized hyperbranched polyureas wherein the substituent can function either as receptor or as a chemical entity for selective transformations as a tool to tailor the properties. The chain‐ends were also modified by attaching long chain aliphatic groups to fully realize the interior functionalization. This approach opens up a possible synthetic route wherein different functional substituents can be used to generate a library of internally functionalized hyperbranched polymers. All the hyperbranched polyureas were characterized by FTIR, 1H‐NMR, DSC, TGA, and size exclusion chromatography. Degree of branching in these N,N′‐disubstituted hyperbranched polyureas, as calculated by 1H‐NMR spectroscopy using model compounds, was found to be lower than the unsubstituted hyperbranched polyurea and is attributed to the lower reactivity of N‐substituted amines compared to that of unsubstituted amines. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 5134–5145, 2004
Free‐radical polymerization of dioxolane and dioxane derivatives: Effect of fluorine substituents on the ring opening polymerization
Authors: Liu Weihong , Mikeš František , Guo Yinzhong , Koike Yasuhiro , Okamoto Yoshi 
Published: September 2004

AbstractPartially fluorinated and perfluorinated dioxolane and dioxane derivatives have been prepared to investigate the effect of fluorine substituents on their free‐radical polymerization products. The partially fluorinated monomer 2‐difluoromethylene‐1,3‐dioxolane (I) was readily polymerized with free‐radical initiators azobisisobutyronitrile or tri(n‐butyl)borane–air and yielded a vinyl addition product. However, the hydrocarbon analogue, 2‐methylene‐1,3‐dioxolane (II), produced as much as 50% ring opening product at 60 °C by free‐radical polymerization. 2‐Difluoromethylene‐4‐methyl‐1,3‐dioxolane (III) was synthesized and its free‐radical polymerization yielded ring opening products: 28% at 60 °C, decreasing to 7 and 4% at 0 °C and −78 °C, respectively. All the fluorine‐substituted, perfluoro‐2‐methylene‐4‐methyl‐1,3‐dioxolane (IV) produced only a vinyl addition product with perfluorobenzoylperoxide as an initiator. The six‐membered ring monomer, 2‐methylene‐1,3‐dioxane (V), caused more than 50% ring opening during free‐radical polymerization. However, the partially fluorinated analogue, 2‐difluoromethylene‐1,3‐dioxane (VI), produced only 22% ring opening product with free‐radical polymerization and the perfluorinated compound, perfluoro‐2‐methylene‐1,3‐dioxane (VII), yielded only the vinyl addition polymer. The ring opening reaction and the vinyl addition steps during the free‐radical polymerization of these monomers are competitive reactions. We discuss the reaction mechanism of the ring opening and vinyl addition polymerizations of these partially fluorinated and perfluorinated dioxolane and dioxane derivatives. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 5180–5188, 2004
Synthesis of functional polymers—Vinylidene fluoride based fluorinated copolymers and terpolymers bearing bromoaromatic side‐group
Authors: Souzy R. , Ameduri B. , Boutevin B. 
Published: September 2004

AbstractThe radical co‐ and terpolymerization of 4‐[(α,β,β‐trifluorovinyl)oxy]bromo benzene (TFVOBB) with 1,1‐difluoroethylene (or vinylidene fluoride, VDF, or VF2), hexafluoropropene (HFP), perfluoromethyl vinyl ether (PMVE), and chlorotrifluroroethylene (CTFE) is presented. Although TFVOBB could be thermocyclodimerized, it could not homopolymerize under radical initiation. TFVOBB could be copolymerized in solution under a radical initiator with VDF or CTFE comonomers, while its copolymerization with HFP or PMVE were unsuccessful. The terpolymerization of TFVOBB with VDF and HFP, or VDF and PMVE, or VDF and CTFE also led to original fluorinated terpolymers bearing bromoaromatic side‐groups. The conditions of co‐ and terpolymerization were optimized in terms of the nature of the radical initiators, and of the nature of solvents (fluorinated or nonhalogenated). Various monomer concentrations in the co‐ and terpolymers were assessed by19F and1H‐NMR spectroscopy. The thermal and physico chemical properties were also studied. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 5077–5097, 2004
Novel thermotropic liquid crystalline‐cum‐photocrosslinkable polyvanillylidene alkyl/arylphosphate esters
Authors: Sakthivel P. , Kannan P. 
Published: September 2004

AbstractA new class of linear unsaturated polyphosphate esters based on divanillylidene cyclohexanone possessing liquid crystalline‐cum‐photocrosslinkable properties have been synthesized from 2,6‐bis[n‐hydroxyalkyloxy(vanillylidene)]cyclohexanone [n = 6,8,10] with various alkyl/aryl phosphorodichloridates in chloroform at ambient temperature. The resultant polymers were characterized by intrinsic viscosity, FT‐IR, 1H, 13C, and 31P‐NMR spectroscopy. All the polymers showed anisotropic behavior under hot stage optical polarized microscope (HOPM). The liquid crystalline textures of the polymers became more transparent with increasing spacer length. The thermal behavior of the polymers was studied by thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry. The Tg, Tm, and Ti of the polymers decreased with increasing flexible methylene chain. The photocrosslinking property of the polymer was investigated by UV light/UV spectroscopy; the crosslinking proceeds via 2π‐2π cycloaddition reactions of the divanillylidene exocyclic double bond of the polymer backbone. The pendant alkyloxy containing polymers show faster crosslinking than the pendant phenyloxy containing polymers. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 5215–5226, 2004
Cure kinetics of carbon nanotube/tetrafunctional epoxy nanocomposites by isothermal differential scanning calorimetry
Authors: Xie Hongfeng , Liu Binghua , Yuan Zuanru , Shen Jianyi , Cheng Rongshi 
Published: September 2004

AbstractThe cure kinetics of tetraglycidyl‐4,4′‐diaminodiphenylmethane (TGDDM) and 4,4′‐diaminodiphenylsulfone (DDS) as a cure agent in nanocomposites with multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) have been studied with an isothermal differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) technique. The experimental data for both the neat TGDDM/DDS system and for epoxy/MWNTs nanocomposites showed an autocatalytic behavior. Kinetic analysis was performed with the phenomenological model of Kamal and a diffusion control function was introduced to describe the cure reaction in the later stage. Activation energies and kinetic parameters were determined by fitting experimental data. For MWNTs/epoxy nanocomposites, the initial reaction rates increased and the time to the maximum rate decreased with increasing MWNTs contents because of the acceleration effect of MWNTs. The values of the activation energies for the epoxy/MWNTs nanocomposites were lower than the values for the neat epoxy in the initial stage of the reaction. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 42: 3701–3712, 2004
Blends of a thermotropic liquid‐crystalline polymer and a poly(butylene terephthalate)/organoclay nanocomposite
Authors: Chang Jin‐Hae , Seo Bo‐Soo , Kim Seong Hun 
Published: September 2004

AbstractBlends were synthesized via the melt blending of a thermotropic liquid‐crystalline polymer (TLCP) and a poly(butylene terephthalate) (PBT) hybrid containing 2 wt % organoclay. A TLCP was also synthesized with side groups based on a nematic liquid‐crystalline phase. The blends of TLCPs with PBT hybrids were melt‐spun with different concentrations of the liquid‐crystalline polymer and different draw ratios (DRs) to produce monofilaments. Regardless of the TLCP concentration in the hybrids, transmission electron microscopy photographs proved that the clay layers of the organoclay were intercalated and partially exfoliated in the PBT matrix. At DR = 1, the maximum enhancement in the ultimate tensile strength was observed for blends containing 8% TLCP, and the tensile strength decreased with further increases in the TLCP concentration. The initial modulus monotonically increased with increasing TLCP concentration. When DR increased from 1 to 44, the increased stretching caused the tensile property to decrease significantly, debonding to occur, and voids to form. These trends with increasing DR were observed in all the systems. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 42: 3667–3676, 2004