bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Physical and biological evaluations of sintered hydroxyapatite/silicone composite with covalent bonding for a percutaneous implant material
Authors: Furuzono Tsutomu , Wang Pao‐Li , Korematsu Arata , Miyazaki Kozo , Oido‐Mori Mari , Kowashi Yusuke , Ohura Kiyoshi , Tanaka Junzo , Kishida Akio 
Published: April 2003

AbstractA composite (HA/silicone) of hydroxyapatite (HA) microparticles with an average diameter of 2.0 μm covalently linked to a silicone substrate has been developed, and its physical and biological properties as a percutaneous soft‐tissue‐compatible material have been evaluated. In tensile property measurement, samples of HA/silicone and the original silicone were similar in tensile strength, ca. 7.8 MPa, and elongation at break, ca. 570%. It was found that chemical surface modification with HA particles presented no mechanical disadvantage. In an adhesive‐tape peeling test, scanning electron microscopic (SEM) observation showed that HA particles coupled directly to the substrate were not removed. HA particles may bond strongly with the substrate. In human periodontal ligament fibroblast attachment and proliferation experiments, the number of cells attached to HA/silicone was 14 times greater than that attached to the original silicone after 24 h of incubation. The value on HA/silicone was ca. 80% versus that on a tissue‐culture plastic used as a positive control. After 72 h of incubation, the number of cells grown on HA/silicone increased to the level of the positive control. In observation of fluorescence microscopy stained by Hoechst 33342, cells appeared to tightly adhere to HA particles coupled to the silicone sheet due to intact nuclear morphology. Observation of cells by fluorescence dye with rhodamin phalloidin showed an extensive F‐actin cytoskeleton on HA/silicone. In a 4‐week animal implant test, force required to pull out the HA/silicone sheet was 15 times that of the original silicone. HA‐particle coating on silicone with covalent linkage gave the inert surface bioactivity. The HA composite thus effectively prevents germ infection percutaneously. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 65B: 217–226, 2003
Synthesis of MMP inhibitor radiotracer [11C]CGS 25966, a new potential pet tumor imaging agent
Authors: Fei Xiangshu , Zheng Qi‐Huang , Liu Xuan , Wang Ji‐Quan , Stone K. Lee , Miller Kathy D. , Sledge George W. , Hutchins Gary D. 
Published: April 2003

Abstract[11C]CGS 25966, a novel radiolabeled matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) inhibitor, has been synthesized for evaluation as new potential positron emission tomography (PET) tumor imaging agent. The precursor was labeled by [11C]methyl triflate through O‐[11C]methylation method at the hydroxyl position of phenol under basic conditions and isolated by HPLC purification to produce pure target compound in 15–25% radiochemical yield, based on 11CO2, decay corrected to end of bombardment. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The effects of interaction on consumers' attitudes in focus groups
Authors: Bristol Terry , Fern Edward F. 
Published: April 2003

AbstractThis article questions the use of focus groups for assessing consumer attitudes. A repeated‐measures research design was used to determine whether the interaction and discussion among focus‐group participants changed their attitudes. Experimental results indicate that focus‐group participants' overall attitudes, beliefs, intentions to purchase, and preferences shifted from positions previously held. More attitude depolarization occurred in focus groups than in two benchmark methods, the nominal group technique and individual self‐administered surveys. The output gained from focus‐group interviews may generalize more to settings involving interpersonal rather than intrapersonal consumption or purchase processes. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A scale for measuring store personality
Authors: d'Astous Alain , Lévesque Mélanie 
Published: April 2003

AbstractThe objective of this research study was to develop a scale for measuring store personality and to assess its psychometric properties. A preliminary study showed that store personality comprised five dimensions, termed sophistication, solidity, genuineness, enthusiasm, and unpleasantness. A follow‐up survey with 226 adult consumers confirmed the stability of the factorial structure of the 34‐item store‐personality scale as well as the reliability of each composite dimension. Some empirical evidence was gathered with respect to the scale's construct validity, because the proposed store‐personality scale was shown to behave in a manner consistent with self‐image congruence theory. Additional analyses revealed that a reduced scale including 20 items exhibited factorial stability and resulted in reliable measures of the five store‐personality dimensions. Finally, some empirical support was obtained in favor of using the proposed scale across different retail settings. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Zero‐temperature‐coefficient biasing point of a fully‐depleted SOI MOSFET
Authors: Tan T. H. , Goel A. K. 
Published: April 2003

AbstractThe gate characteristics (ID–VGS) of fully depleted, lightly doped, enhanced SOI n‐MOSFET are simulated over a wide range of operating temperature (300–600 K) by using the SILVACO TCAD tools. Simulation results show that there exists a biasing point where the drain current and the transconductance are temperature independent. Such a point is known as the zero‐temperature coefficient (ZTC) bias point. The drain‐current ZTC points are identified in both the linear and saturation regions. The transconductance ZTC exists only in the saturation region. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 37: 366–370, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.10920
Intravenous glucose tolerance test and anti‐GAD65 antibodies in the diagnosis of the type of diabetes mellitus
Authors: Tankova T , Dakovska L , Kirilov G , Koev D 
Published: April 2003

AbstractThe aim of the present study was to evaluate the importance of the phases of insulin secretion, measured during an intravenous glucose tolerance test (IVGTT), and anti‐GAD65 antibodies as a beta‐cell autoimmune marker, in the proper early diagnosis of the type of diabetes in normal‐weight patients aged 30–45 years. Forty‐two newly diagnosed diabetic patients (25 males and 17 females), of mean age 37.2±6.9 years and BMI 24.4±2.7kg/m2, were enrolled in the study; 19 subjects with normal glucose tolerance, of mean age 36.8±7.4 years and mean BMI 24.3±2.3 kg/m2, served as a control group. Using the data from IVGTT and anti‐GAD65 antibodies, the diabetic patients were divided into two groups—type 1 diabetic patients (n=19), showing loss of first (FPIS) and second (SPIS) phases of insulin secretion: 12.9±5.1mU/L versus 134.4±43.7mU/L in the control group, p < 0.001; and 15.4±6.4mU/L versus 64.4±23.6mU/L in the control group, p<0.001, respectively, as well as high prevalence of anti‐GAD65 antibodies: 73.7%; and type 2 diabetic patients (n=23), who demonstrated declined FPIS: 25.9±11.5mU/L (p<0.001 compared with the healthy controls and p<0.01 compared with type 1 diabetic patients), and relatively preserved but retarded SPIS (61.1±17.7mU/L, p>0.1 compared with the healthy controls), none of them being anti‐GAD65 positive. Our results demonstrate that IVGTT allows precise assessment of the phases of insulin secretion and helps to set proper early diagnosis of the type of diabetes. The presence of anti‐GAD65 antibodies alone can set the diagnosis type 1 diabetes, while anti‐GAD65 negativity requires the performance of IVGTT, which can then distinguish between anti‐GAD65 negative type 1 diabetic patients and type 2 diabetic patients. The combination of IVGTT and anti‐GAD65 antibodies appears to be of clinical importance in distinguishing between type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus in normal weight newly diagnosed patients aged 30–45 years and in prescribing adequate treatment. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Primary pulmonary lymphangiectasis in a premature infant: Resolution following intensive care
Authors: Scott C. , Wallis C. , Dinwiddie R. , Owens C. , Coren M. 
Published: April 2003

AbstractPrimary pulmonary lymphangiectasis is a rare disease, often described as fatal within the neonatal period. We report on an infant who developed severe bilateral chylous pleural effusions with computed tomography (CT) features of pulmonary lymphangiectasis. She recovered spontaneously with supportive treatment only. We discuss aspects of her intensive care which might have contributed to the good outcome, and conclude that modern intensive care may allow spontaneous recovery in conditions described in the literature as having a very poor outcome. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2003; 35:405–406. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Necrotizing sarcoid granulomatosis: A rarity in childhood
Authors: Heinrich D. , Gordjani N. , Trusen A. , Marx A. , Hebestreit H. 
Published: April 2003

AbstractNecrotizing sarcoid granulomatosis (NSG) is characterized by pulmonary nodular infiltrates, a typical histology, and a benign clinical course. The etiology and pathogenesis of the disease are still unknown. In childhood, it is extremely rare, with only three reported cases so far. Here we report on an 8‐year‐old girl, who to our knowledge is the youngest reported patient with NSG. The girl presented with shortness of breath and a sore throat. Chest X‐ray and computed tomography (CT) scan revealed multiple nodular opacities of the lung. The symptoms and radiological findings disappeared within 6 months without any treatment. The diagnosis was based on the typical signs and symptoms of NSG and on the exclusion of other diseases. As abnormal immunological findings such as the lack of specific diphtheria antibodies in spite of vaccination against diphtheria were present, we suggest that immunologic mechanisms could play an etiologic role in the pathogenesis of NSG. In addition, the ratio of CD4+/CD8+ T‐cells in the peripheral blood was significantly reduced, whereas the CD4+/CD8+ T‐cell ratio in the immunohistochemical staining of the lung tissue was elevated. Since this compartmentalization is a typical finding in sarcoidosis, it supports the theory that NSG may represent a variant of sarcoidosis. However, because some characteristics of NSG are uncommon in typical sarcoidosis, NSG may also be an entity in its own right. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2003; 35:407–411. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Comparing the clinical evolution of cystic fibrosis screened neonatally to that of cystic fibrosis diagnosed from clinical symptoms: A 10‐year retrospective study in a French region (Brittany)
Authors: Siret D. , Bretaudeau G. , Branger B. , Dabadie A. , Dagorne M. , David V. , de Braekeleer M. , Moisan‐Petit V. , Picherot G. , Rault G. , Storni V. , Roussey M. 
Published: April 2003

AbstractUntil the year 2000, systematic cystic fibrosis (CF) neonatal screening was only performed in a few regions of France. The Brittany region began in 1989, but not the neighboring region of Loire‐Atlantique. The present study compares the clinical evolution of both affected populations 10 years after screening was started. Although the 77 screened and 36 nonscreened children were followed in different CF centers, they were included in similar care protocols. The clinical characteristics at diagnosis and their evolution over a 10‐year period of all the children affected with CF and born between January 1, 1989 and December 31, 1998, excluding those with meconium ileus, were compared. There were no significant differences in sex ratio, gestational age, anthropometric data at birth, frequency of ΔF508 homozygotes, proportion of pancreatic‐insufficient patients, and mean age between the two populations. Age at diagnosis was lower in the screened group (38 days vs. 472 days, P < 10−7), as was the delay in supplementation with pancreatic enzymes (1.7 months vs.15.9 months, P < 10−7). The proportion of children who were hospitalized at least once was higher among the nonscreened than the screened patients (86% vs. 49%, P < 10−4). Z‐scores for weight and height were significantly better in the screened population, not only in the first years of life, but also at 5 years old for height and 8 years old for weight. The Shwachman and Brasfield scores were higher among the screened children during the whole period of follow‐up. No significant differences in colonization by Pseudomonas aeruginosa nor in lung function were found. Given the homogeneity in the characteristics and the follow‐up of both populations, the benefits in terms of nutrition and clinical well‐being of neonatal screening appear to be clear, thus confirming the advantages of its general implementation. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2003; 35:342–349. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Correlations between exhaled nitric oxide levels, blood eosinophilia, and airway obstruction reversibility in childhood asthma are detectable only in atopic individuals
Authors: Silvestri Michela , Sabatini Federica , Sale Rosa , Defilippi Anna‐Carla , Fregonese Laura , Battistini Elena , Biraghi Maurizio G. , Rossi Giovanni A. 
Published: April 2003

AbstractThe aim of this study was to compare in atopic and nonatopic asthmatic children correlations between two inflammation parameters, i.e., blood eosinophilia and exhaled nitric oxide (FENO), and pulmonary function values, at baseline and after β2‐adrenergic bronchodilators. Ninety‐two steroid‐naive asthmatic children were evaluated: 26 were skin prick test‐ and RAST‐negative (nonatopic subjects), whereas 66 were atopic, 15 being sensitized only to house dust mites (monosensitized) and 51 to mites and to at least one other class of allergens (polysensitized). Baseline spirometric values (FEV1 and FEF25–75%) were similar in atopic and nonatopic groups (P > 0.1, each comparison). However, when compared to nonatopic subjects, atopic children showed a significantly higher degree of blood eosinophilia (3.0% and 6.7% white blood cell count, respectively; P = 0.0001) and higher FENO levels (6.8 ppb and 16.0 ppb, respectively; P = 0.0001). While a positive correlation between FENO levels and blood eosinophilia was observed in atopic children (r = 0.25, P = 0.041), no correlations between these two inflammation parameters and baseline pulmonary function values were demonstrated in any of the asthmatic groups. Inhalation of a β2‐agonist drug induced in the two asthmatic populations similar improvements in FEV1 and FEF25–75% and no changes in FENO levels or blood eosinophilia. However, only in atopic children positive correlations were found between percent variation in FEV1 (Δ%FEV1) and FENO levels (r = 0.35, P = 0.006) or blood eosinophilia (r = 0.26, P = 0.04). Within the atopic group, no differences were found between mono‐ and polysensitized individuals in all parameters evaluated. Thus only in atopic children did parameters of inflammation correlate with airway obstruction reversibility. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2003; 35:358–363. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Is the FeC cluster linear? Theoretical study of the equilibrium structure and bonding of FeC
Authors: Cao Zexing , Zhang Qianer 
Published: April 2003

AbstractAb initio electron correlation methods and density functional theory are used to investigate the structure, bonding, and stability of FeC. Theoretical calculations show that the ground state of the FeC anion strongly depends on the level of theory. The linear 4Σ− state with an open configuration δ2σ1 is predicted to be the ground state of FeC at the coupled‐cluster theory restricted to single, double, and noniterative triple excitations (CCSD[T])//CISD and multireference (MR) second‐order Moller–Plesset (MP2)//CAS self‐consistent field (SCF) levels. Next stable conformations are a C2V ring structure II (4B2) and a C2V structure III (4A2) in which Fe is bonded to one carbon atom of a triangular C3. However, CISD and CCSD//CISD calculations show that the C2V ring structure II and the C2V structure III are more slightly stable than is the linear structure I of FeC. The harmonic vibrational frequencies and relevant vertical electron binding energies are reported. Possible detachment transitions in the photoelectron spectrum of FeC are discussed on the basis of current calculations. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem 93: 275–279, 2003
Choice of test for comparing two groups, with particular application to skewed outcomes
Authors: White Ian R. , Thompson Simon G. 
Published: April 2003

AbstractWe consider a clinical trial where a skewed outcome variable is to be compared between two groups. While comparison of sample means may lack power, we show that power also depends on the nature of the anticipated treatment effect. For any given distribution in the control arm, there is a family of true distributions in the intervention arm for which the most powerful test is a comparison of arithmetic means. Similar results hold for a comparison of geometric means, and approximately for the Wilcoxon rank sum test and a comparison of medians. We discuss how these methods could be used in planning the analysis of a clinical trial in which the intervention effect alters the shape of the distribution. These ideas are illustrated by a trial in community psychiatry, where the primary outcome (days in hospital) was highly skewed but the intervention was mainly expected to reduce the frequency of values in the tail. We show that a comparison of sample means is a reasonable choice in this case despite the skewness. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Robustness and power of analysis of covariance applied to ordinal scaled data as arising in randomized controlled trials
Authors: Sullivan L. M. , D'Agostino R. B. 
Published: April 2003

AbstractIn clinical trials comparing two treatments, ordinal scales of three, four or five points are often used to assess severity, both prior to and after treatment. Analysis of covariance is an attractive technique, however, the data clearly violate the normality assumption and in the presence of small samples, and large sample theory may not apply. The robustness and power of various versions of parametric analysis of covariance applied to small samples of ordinal scaled data are investigated through computer simulation. Subjects are randomized to one of two competing treatments and the pre‐treatment, or baseline, assessment is used as the covariate. We compare two parametric analysis of covariance tests that vary according to the treatment of the homogeneity of regressions slopes and the two independent samples t‐test on difference scores. Under the null hypothesis of no difference in adjusted treatment means, we estimated actual significance levels by comparing observed test statistics to appropriate critical values from the F‐ and t‐distributions for nominal significance levels of 0.10, 0.05, 0.02 and 0.01. We estimated power by similar comparisons under various alternative hypotheses. The model which assumes homogeneous slopes and the t‐test on difference scores were robust in the presence of three, four and five point ordinal scales. The hierarchical approach which first tests for homogeneity of regression slopes and then fits separate slopes if there is significant non‐homogeneity produced significance levels that exceeded the nominal levels especially when the sample sizes were small. The model which assumes homogeneous regression slopes produced the highest power among competing tests for all of the configurations investigated. The t‐test on difference scores also produced good power in the presence of small samples. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
No association between genotype of the promoter region of serotonin transporter gene and serotonin transporter binding in human brain measured by PET
Authors: Shioe Kunihiko , Ichimiya Tetsuya , Suhara Tetsuya , Takano Akihiro , Sudo Yasuhiko , Yasuno Fumihiko , Hirano Masami , Shinohara Manabu , Kagami Masato , Okubo Yoshiro , Nankai Masahiro , Kanba Shigenobu 
Published: April 2003

AbstractThe human serotonin transporter (5‐HTT) gene has a polymorphism in the 5′‐flanking promoter region that is called the serotonin transporter gene‐linked polymorphic region (5‐HTTLPR). In lymphoblast cell lines, the promoter activity of the 5‐HTT gene is dependent on 5‐HTTLPR allelic variants. The transcriptional activity of the l allele was more than twice as high as that of the s allele. The s allele is considered to be associated with mood disorders and anxiety‐related personality traits. To evaluate the functional differences of 5‐HTTLPR in the brain in vivo, we examined the allelic variations of 5‐HTTLPR and measured 5‐HTT binding in the living human brain using positron emission tomography (PET) with C11‐labeled trans‐1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 10‐β‐hexahydro‐6‐[4‐(methylthio) phenyl]pyrrolo[2,1‐a]isoquinoline (McN5652) as a ligand. Twenty‐seven healthy male subjects participated in this study. Although the human lymphoblast cells with the l/l genotype was reported to produce higher concentrations of both mRNA and protein of 5‐HTT than those with the l/s or s/s genotype in a human lymphoblast in vitro study, 5‐HTT binding in vivo was not significantly different among subjects with the three genotypes (l/l: 0.842 ± 0.184, l/s: 0.708 ± 0.118, s/s: 0.825 ± 0.209). In conclusion, this study does not support the assumption that the genotype‐dependent differences of 5‐HTTLPR directly contributes to the regulation of the 5‐HTT binding site in the living human brain. Synapse 48:184–188, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
To hunt or not to hunt? A feeding enrichment experiment with captive large felids
Authors: Bashaw Meredith J. , Bloomsmith Mollie A. , Marr M.J. , Maple Terry L. 
Published: April 2003

AbstractIt is often difficult to promote the successful performance of feeding behaviors in zoos, especially for carnivores. Feeding enrichment provides these opportunities and often improves behavioral indications of an animal's well‐being and the experience of the zoo visitor. The effectiveness of two different feeding enrichment techniques was evaluated on five subjects in two species of felids: African lions and Sumatran tigers. The activity budgets of each cat were compared before, during, and after enrichment, focusing on activity levels, frequency and variety of feeding behaviors, and occurrence of stereotypic behaviors. The presentation of live fish increased the variety and frequency of feeding behaviors, while presentation of horse leg bones increased the frequency of these behaviors. Fish reduced the tigers' stereotypic behavior from 60% of scans to 30% of scans on the day of presentation, and this change was maintained for 2 days following enrichment. Bone presentation also reduced stereotypic behavior and increased nonstereotypic activity in both species. Both of these techniques appear to have sustained effects on behavior lasting at least 2 days after presentation, which may indicate their ability to alter the animals' underlying activity patterns. Zoo Biol 22:189–198, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.