bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The influence of local steroid injections, body weight and the length of symptoms in the treatment of painful subcalcaneal spurs with extracorporeal shock wave therapy
Authors: Melegati Gianluca , Tornese Davide , Bandi Marco , Caserta Antonello 
Published: October 2002

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) for the treatment of painful subcalcaneal spurs and evaluate whether local steroid injections, body weight and the length of symptoms can affect the clinical results. Design: Subjects were selected through clinical examination and heel radiograms according to diagnosis of painful subcalcaneal spurs. Subjects: Sixty-four subjects were divided into two groups of treatment depending on their past history of previous local steroid injections. Interventions: Each subject received a three-session ESWT (performed weekly). A rehabilitative programme was instituted, consisting of self-assisted plantar fascia and plantar ‘exors stretching exercises. Main outcome measures: The Mayo Clinical Scoring System (MCSS) was utilized to evaluate each subject before the treatment and at two- and ten- month follow-ups. In addition, standard radiograms were done both before the treatment and at the ten-month follow-up. Results: Patients with no past treatment using steroids did not show any statistically significant improvement of the MCSS at the two-month follow-up. The statistical significance was obtained at the ten-month follow-up. Patients with past treatment using steroids did not show any statistically significant improvement of the MCSS at either follow-up. At the radiogram check, none of the subjects showed any modification of the heel spurs. Conclusions: According to the results of the present study ESWT should be considered as an effective treatment for painful subcalcaneal spurs. Previous local steroid injections may negatively affect the result of ESWT.
Inhibitory effect of fruit extracts on P-glycoproteinrelated efflux carriers: an in-vitro screening
Authors: Deferme Sven , Van Gelder Jan , Augustijns Patrick 
Published: October 2002

Abstract
In this study, standardized food extracts were screened for their possible inhibitory effect on the P-glycoprotein (P-gp)-mediated efflux of 3H-ciclosporin A (CsA) using the in-vitro Caco-2 model. CsA is commonly used as a substrate for P-gp-related efflux carriers and is characterized by a polarity in transport, the absorptive transport being much lower than the secretory transport (polarity factor: PF ˜ 7). Of the 68 tested, nine extracts showed a decreased efflux of CsA (&lt; 75% of the reference value) and were retained for further experiments on the bidirectional transport of CsA across Caco-2 monolayers. Results of these experiments showed that strawberry, orange, apricot and mint extract exert an inhibitory effect on intestinal P-gp-related functionality (PF &lt; 4.2). The effect of apricot extract was also studied on the bidirectional transport of talinolol, a specific P-gp substrate; inclusion of 1 %, v/v, in the apical compartment of Caco-2 monolayers resulted in a significantly reduced polarity in the transport of talinolol (PF reference = 15.5; PF in the presence of apricot extract = 2.5). This study suggests that co-administration of fruit extracts might be a conceptually safe and useful strategy to enhance the intestinal absorption of P-gp substrates. More research is necessary to characterize the impact of this inhibition on P-gp-related efflux mechanisms in other absorption models (in-vitro and in-vivo) and to identify the compounds that are responsible for this inhibitory effect.
Studying aggression in school children: The use of a wireless microphone and micro‐video camera
Authors: Tapper Katy , Boulton Michael J. 
Published: October 2002

AbstractThis paper describes a wireless microphone and micro‐video camera used successfully by the present authors to study direct, indirect, and relational forms of aggression in schools. Two major advantages of this equipment are identified; first, it avoids some of the potential biases and difficulties associated with the other methods and, second, it allows researchers to record and analyze a large number of significant variables that may otherwise be difficult to assess. The importance of this kind of data is discussed in relation to the development of effective interventions aimed at reducing aggression in schools. Aggr. Behav. 28:356–365, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Poly(ethylene terephthalate) recycling and recovery of pure terephthalic acid by alkaline hydrolysis
Authors: Karayannidis G. P. , Chatziavgoustis A. P. , Achilias D. S. 
Published: October 2002

AbstractPoly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) taken from postconsumer soft‐drink bottles was subjected to alkaline hydrolysis after cutting it into small pieces (flakes). The reaction took place in an autoclave at 120–200°C with aqueous NaOH solutions and at 110–120°C with a nonaqueous solution of KOH in methyl Cellosolve. The disodium or dipotassium terephthalate received was treated with sulfuric acid and terephthalic acid (TPA) of high purity was separated. The 1H NMR spectrum of the TPA revealed an about 2% admixture of isophthalic acid together with the pure 98% TPA. The purity of the TPA obtained was tested by determining its acidity and by polymerizing it with ethylene glycol by using tetrabutyl titanate as catalyst. A simple theoretical model was developed to describe the hydrolysis rate. The activation energy calculated was 99 kJ/mol. This method is very useful in recycling of PET bottles and other containers because nowadays TPA is replacing dimethyl terephthalate (the traditional monomer) as the main monomer in the industrial production of PET. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Adv Polym Techn 21: 250–259, 2002; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/adv.10029
Surface analysis of coating based on novel water‐diluted fluorinated polymer/silica hybrids
Authors: Yu Zhigang , Zhang Zhaobin , Yuan Qiaolong , Ying Shengkang 
Published: October 2002

AbstractA novel water‐diluted hybrid coating, consisting of fluorinated poly(urethane‐acrylate) (PUA) and colloidal silica, was prepared by introducing a small amount of fluorinated methacrylate units into the PUA chains. The surface composition and surface morphology of the hybrid film were studied extensively. Attenuated total reflectance spectra of infrared analyses showed an enrichment of fluorine‐containing polymer and silica particles on the surface. Using X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy with Ar+ etching, it was confirmed that a higher concentration than the calculated value of fluorine element was found on the surface of the fluorinated hybrid film, and the amount of silica increased from the very surface to the near surface. The fluorinated alkyl side chains of the fluorinated polymethacrylate were found to orient toward the surface. It is inferred that the silica particles prevent the migration of fluorine‐containing chains for some kind of effect. A comparison of surface topography between the fluorinated PUA film and the fluorinated PUA/SiO2 hybrid film was carried out using atomic force microscopy. Finally, the surface property of the hybrid coating was also determined by contact angle measurement. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Adv Polym Techn 21: 268–274, 2002; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/adv.10030
PAI‐1 gene 4G/5G genotype: A risk factor for thrombosis in vessels of internal organs
Authors: Balta Gunay , Altay Cigdem , Gurgey Aytemiz 
Published: October 2002

AbstractAlthough the common 4G/5G polymorphism in the promoter of the PAI‐1 gene was suggested to be a risk factor for some of the thrombotic disorders, its significance in the development of thrombosis is still controversial. This study presents the data on a total of 357 patients with different types of thrombosis and 281 unrelated healthy controls. It was found that the 4G/4G genotype is associated with a higher risk of thrombosis (OR, 1.7; 95% CI, 1.1–2.5). Patients were divided into five distinct groups according to the site of thrombosis. Both 4G/4G and 4G/5G genotypes were associated with a higher risk of thrombosis development in a group of 69 patients with internal organ thrombosis (OR, 6.35; 95% CI, 2.5–16.1 and OR, 4.85; 95% CI, 2.0–12.1, respectively). Interestingly, this association was even stronger in a subgroup of 33 patients with portal vein thrombosis (PVT) and 4G/4G and 4G/5G genotypes conferred more than 10‐ and 6‐fold increases in the risk of developing PVT (95% CI: 2.3–47.1 and 1.4–28.8), respectively. No statistically significant association was found between 4G/4G genotype and the groups of deep vein thrombosis (126 patients), cerebral thrombosis (80 patients), retinal thrombosis (72 patients), and purpura fulminans (16 patients). Factor V Leiden or prothrombin G20210A mutations did not emerge as additional risk factors for thrombosis in any of the groups studied. To conclude, this study suggests that there may be an association between 4G/4G and 4G/5G genotypes and the thrombosis in vessels of internal organs especially in the portal veins. Am. J. Hematol. 71:89–93, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Molecular analysis of β‐thalassemia in South Vietnam
Authors: Svasti M.L. Saovaros , Hieu Tran Minh , Munkongdee Thongperm , Winichagoon Pranee , Van Be Tran , Van Binh Tran , Fucharoen Suthat 
Published: October 2002

AbstractIn Vietnam, the carrier rate for β‐thalassemia varies from 1.5% to 25% depending on the ethnic groups of the population. The molecular basis of β‐thalassemia in South Vietnam was studied in 50 unrelated β‐thalassemia patients. Of these, 31 had β‐thalassemia/Hb E, 18 were homozygous for β‐thalassemia, and 1 carried the β‐thalassemia trait. The majority of the patients were Kinh, four were Chinese, and two were Kinh–Chinese. All had severe anemia and received blood transfusions regularly, every 1–3 months. Hepatosplenomegaly was found in all patients, and splenectomy had been done in six patients. Normal α‐globin genotype (αα/αα) was found in all subjects. Reverse dot‐blot hybridization using oligonucleotide probes specific for Southeast Asian mutations can detect β‐thalassemia in 60 chromosomes in addition to 31 chromosomes with βE mutation. Excluding the βE gene, six previously reported Thai and Chinese β‐thalassemia mutations were found, including codons 41/42 (−TCTT) 35.3%, codon 17 (A→T) 25.0%, −28 (A→G) 7.3%, codons 71/72 (+A) 7.3%, IVS‐II nt 654 (C→T) 7.3%, and IVS‐I nt 1 (G→T) 6.0%. The Vietnamese frameshift mutation at codon 95 (+A) was detected by ARMS in seven chromosomes (10.3%). DNA polymorphism of the β‐globin gene cluster carrying the codon 95 mutation was − + − − − − − + for Gγ/XmnI, ϵ/HincII, Gγ/HindIII, Aγ/HindIII, ψβ/HincII, 3′ ψβ/HincII, β/AvaII, and 3′β/BamHI, respectively. The remaining mutation detected by the gap PCR was a large deletion known as the Chinese Gγ(Aγδβ)0‐thalassemia. The two most common mutations were the frameshift at codons 41/42 (−TCTT) and the nonsense mutation in codon 17 (A→T). Thus β‐thalassemia mutations in South Vietnam is similar to the previous report from the North, although at different frequencies. This result will help to establish a center for prenatal diagnosis and for prevention and control of thalassemia in Vietnam. Am. J. Hematol. 71:85–88, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Occupations and breast cancer risk among Chinese women in urban Shanghai
Authors: Gardner Kathleen M. , Ou Shu Xiao , Jin Fan , Dai Qi , Ruan Zhixian , Thompson Shirley J. , Hussey James R. , Gao Yu Tang , Zheng Wei 
Published: October 2002

AbstractBackgroundAlthough, an elevated risk of breast cancer has been suggested for a number of occupations, many earlier studies were limited by selection biases, the incomplete assessment of job histories, and the inability to control for confounding.MethodsWe examined the relationship between occupational history and breast cancer risk using data from a population‐based case‐control study of 1,458 cases and 1,556 age‐matched controls (90% response rate) conducted in Shanghai, China. Unconditional logistic regression models were used to derive odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) of breast cancer risk associated with occupations and duration of employment adjusting for non‐occupational risk factors.ResultsThe following occupations were found to be associated with an increased risk of breast cancer: laboratory technicians (OR 9.94, 95% CI 1.20–82.37), telephone and telegraph operators (OR 4.63, 95% CI 1.85–11.59), leather and fur processors (OR 3.25, 95% CI 1.11–9.53), and glass‐manufacturing workers (OR 2.08, 95% CI 1.14–3.82). A dose–response pattern for years of employment was observed for leather and fur processors (P = 0.02) and glass‐manufacturing workers (P = 0.01). Stratified analyses also revealed dose–response relationships between the risk of breast cancer and years of employment as inspector and product analysts among pre‐menopausal women (P = 0.02), and as farmers among post‐menopausal women (P = 0.04).ConclusionsThis study found that several occupations are associated with an increased risk of breast cancer among women. Studies examining various occupational exposures in these high‐risk occupations are warranted to identify carcinogens that may play a role in the increased breast cancer risk. Am. J. Ind. Med. 42: 296–308, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Bladder cancer among chemical workers exposed to nitrogen products and other substances
Authors: Marsh Gary M. , Gula Mary Jean , Youk Ada O. , Cassidy Laura D. 
Published: October 2002

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate further bladder cancer mortality excess based on four deaths observed among the internal comparison population of a previous historical cohort study of workers from a chemical plant in Lima, Ohio. The internal population mainly comprised workers from the Nitrogen Products (NP) Division.MethodsThe original Lima cohort was expanded to include all workers (n = 1,841) employed between 1955 and 1996. A subcohort of workers employed mainly in the NP Division (NP Subcohort) was identified and used as the primary study population and as the source of cases and controls for a matched case‐control study of bladder cancer. All death records were reviewed for any mention of bladder cancer; all available personnel, medical, and insurance files were reviewed to identify any current or former employees with an existing diagnosis of bladder cancer. A qualitative exposure assessment of all cases and controls was performed to evaluate an exploratory hypothesis that the bladder cancer excess may be associated with work histories involving both NP and urea, specifically, nitric acid and urea.ResultsWe identified 96 new deaths among the expanded Lima cohort and obtained cause of death for 90. One additional bladder cancer death and one living case were identified and these were members of the original Lima cohort. The bladder cancer standardized mortality ratio (SMR) for the NP Subcohort (SMR = 3.31, 95%CI = 0.90–8.47) fell between the SMRs observed for all workers in the original and expanded Lima cohort (SMR = 3.93, 95%CI = 1.07–10.06 and 3.10, 95%CI = 1.01–7.24, respectively), but was markedly less than the SMR observed for corresponding subcohort of AN‐unexposed workers in the original Lima cohort (SMR = 7.01, 95%CI = 1.91–17.96). Sparse data and a high prevalence of exposure among controls precluded an informative statistical analysis of the possible association between work histories involving both nitric acid and urea and bladder cancer risk.ConclusionsThis study confirms that bladder cancer mortality is elevated among persons who worked mainly in the NP Division of the Lima plant, but at a lower, less statistically significant level than indicated by the original cohort study. No occupational risk factors considered to be causally related to the bladder cancer excess could be identified by this intensive investigation; other possible reasons for the excess are suggested by the descriptive data. Am. J. Ind. Med. 42:286–295, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A reliability study of potential risk factors for acute traumatic occupational hand injuries
Authors: Lombardi David A. , Sorock Gary S. , Lesch Mary F. , Hauser Russ , Eisen Ellen A. , Herrick Robert F. , Mittleman Murray A. 
Published: October 2002

AbstractBackgroundA reliability study of transient workplace exposures was conducted within a case‐crossover study of acute traumatic occupational hand injuries. Exposures examined included features of work equipment (unusual performance of equipment or materials, glove use), work practices (performing an uncommon work task, using an unusual work method), and worker‐related factors (being rushed, distracted, ill, or working overtime).MethodsInterviewers administered a follow‐up questionnaire about exposure up to 4 days after the initial interview. The reliability of the usual frequency of exposure in the past month, exposure reported at the time of the injury, and the degree to which subjects had confidence in the accuracy of their memory for exposure was assessed.ResultsThe test‐retest reliability for the estimated number of hours of exposure during the past month was high for six of the eight potential risk factors (intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) ranging from 0.84–0.99). ICC for the frequency per month and minutes per exposure, used to calculate the estimated number of hours per month, ranged from 0.12–0.99 and 0.49–0.99, respectively. Agreement of reported exposure at the time of the injury, evaluated using the kappa statistic, ranged from substantial agreement to perfect agreement (0.65–1.0). However, for some factors, there was little or no reported exposure. Most subjects (74–100%) reported being “very confident” or “certain” in their memory for each exposure.ConclusionsThese findings suggest that the frequency and duration of unusual transient workplace exposures can be reliably recalled by subjects interviewed by telephone within 4 days of an injury. Am. J. Ind. Med. 42:336–343, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Facial features in Alagille syndrome: Specific or cholestasis facies?
Authors: Kamath Binita M. , Loomes Kathleen M. , Oakey Rebecca J. , Emerick Karan E.M. , Conversano Tracy , Spinner Nancy B. , Piccoli David A. , Krantz Ian D. 
Published: October 2002

AbstractAlagille syndrome is a complex multisystem disorder characterized by bile duct paucity, cholestasis, cardiac defects, vertebral anomalies, ophthalmologic changes, and facial dysmorphism. Although the facial features are highly conserved in affected individuals both within and between families, the possibility has been raised that cholestasis is the causative factor for the facies. In this study, the diagnostic specificity of the facies in Alagille syndrome has been evaluated by asking clinical dysmorphologists to examine a photographic panel of 18 pediatric and adult individuals with Alagille syndrome and other forms of congenital intrahepatic cholestasis. The examiners had no knowledge of the actual diagnoses. The group was able to distinguish correctly between Alagille and non‐Alagille individuals with a frequency of 79%. Professional grade of the respondent did not affect the accuracy of correct identification. The adult facial features were the most difficult to evaluate successfully. The sensitivity of facies identification to diagnose Alagille syndrome was 76%, the specificity 82%, the positive predictive value 81%, and the negative predictive value 77%. These results suggest that the facies seen in Alagille syndrome is specific to this condition and its recognition is a valuable tool in diagnosis. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Recombinant 4 syndrome due to an unbalanced pericentric inversion of chromosome 4
Authors: Battaglia A. , Brothman A.R. , Carey J.C. 
Published: October 2002

AbstractAn informative patient with a MCA/MR syndrome consisting of developmental delay, prenatal onset growth delay, microcephaly, distinctive face, iris coloboma, and a congenital heart defect was found, on chromosome analysis, to have the following complement: 46,XY,rec(4) dup(4p) inv(4)(p14q35.1) mat. He has a partial 4p trisomy/distal 4q deletion due to an unbalanced pericentric inversion inherited from his mother. Dup (4p) trisomy was originally described by Wilson et al. [1970: Am J Hum Genet 22:679–690] in a similar case with the same chromosome 4 inversion. To date, at least 85 cases of dup (4p) syndrome have been published, mostly due to unbalanced translocations. Recent articles suggest that the phenotype is hard to recognize clinically due to the lack of specificity of findings. In contrast, 4p trisomy due to an unbalanced pericentric inversion of chromosome 4(p14q35), i.e., the recombinant 4 syndrome observed in our patient, appears to be a discrete entity with relatively consistent features. In total there are four other kindreds described in the literature with this inversion, and the phenotype seems recognizable. Thus, we suggest that recombinant 4 syndrome is a discrete entity among 4p trisomy patients. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Influence of ADH1B polymorphism on alcohol use and its subjective effects in a Jewish population
Authors: Carr Lucinda G. , Foroud Tatiana , Stewart Trent , Castelluccio Peter , Edenberg Howard J. , Li Ting‐Kai 
Published: October 2002

AbstractClass I alcohol dehydrogenases (ADHs) are the principal enzymes responsible for ethanol metabolism in humans. Genetic polymorphism at the ADH1B locus (old nomenclature ADH2) results in isozymes with quite different catalytic properties. The frequency of the ADH1B*2 allele varies among ethnic groups. ADH1B*2 is most often observed in Asian populations, and has been shown to be protective against alcoholism. The Jewish population has a higher frequency of the ADH1B*2 allele and lower rates of alcohol‐related problems as compared to other Caucasian populations. Thus, it would be of interest to determine whether the ADH1B*2 allele is associated with alcohol consumption and its subjective effects in this group. Four groups of Jewish subjects (male and female college‐age samples, and male and female general samples) were recruited from the same region of the United States. All subjects completed a questionnaire to delineate alcohol consumption and its subjective consequences. Genotype at the ADH1B locus was determined for each participant. ADH1B*2 allele frequencies were similar for the Jewish college‐age and general population samples. Men in both the college‐age and general population in the ADH1B*2 group reported more unpleasant reactions following alcohol consumption than men in the ADH1B*1 group. Men in the general population in the ADH1B*2 group drank alcohol less frequently than men who were homozygous ADH1B*1; there was a similar trend among the women. The ADH1B polymorphism is associated with unpleasant reactions after alcohol consumption, and frequency of alcohol consumption in these Jewish samples. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Molecular basis of vertebrate limb patterning
Authors: Tickle Cheryll 
Published: October 2002

AbstractMechanisms of limb development are common to all higher vertebrates. The current understanding of how vertebrate limbs develop comes mainly from studies on chick embryos, which are classical models for experimental manipulation, and mouse embryos, which can be genetically manipulated. Work on chick and mouse embryos is often complementary and has direct implications for human limb development. Analysis has moved to the molecular level, which allows direct links to genetics. Even though genes involved in limb development have been discovered by basic scientists through different routes to that taken by clinical geneticists, many of the same genes have been identified. Thus, the fields of embryology and clinical medicine increasingly converge. The next challenge will be to go back to animal models to begin to dissect how particular gene mutations lead to specific limb phenotypes. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.