bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Reduced inhibitory action of a GABAB receptor agonist on [3H]-dopamine release from rat ventral tegmental area in vitro after chronic nicotine administration
Authors: Amantea Diana , Bowery Norman G 
Published: October 2004

Abstract
Background
The activation of GABAB receptors in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) has been suggested to attenuate the rewarding properties of psychostimulants, including nicotine. However, the neurochemical mechanism that underlie this effect remains unknown. Since GABAB receptors modulate the release of several neurotransmitters in the mammalian brain, we have characterised the effect of the GABAB receptor agonist baclofen on the release of [3H]-dopamine ([3H]-DA) from VTA slices of naïve rats and of rats pre-treated with nicotine.

Results
In naïve rats, baclofen concentration-dependently inhibited the electrically evoked release of [3H]-DA from the isolated VTA (EC50 = 0.103 μM, 95% CI = 0.043–0.249), without affecting the basal [3H]-monoamine overflow. This effect was mediated by activation of GABAB receptors as it was blocked by the selective receptor antagonist CGP55845A. Chronic administration of nicotine (0.4 mg kg-1, s.c., for 14 days) affected neither the basal nor the electrically evoked release of [3H]-DA from VTA slices. However, the inhibitory effect of baclofen (10 μM) on the stimulated [3H]-monoamine overflow was abolished in rats pre-treated with nicotine as compared to saline-injected controls.

Conclusions
Our results demonstrate that GABAB receptor activation reduces the release of DA from the rat VTA. In addition, a reduced sensitivity of VTA GABAB receptors appears to develop after chronic exposure to nicotine. The resulting disinhibition of VTA DA neurones might therefore contribute to the sensitised dopaminergic responses observed in the rat mesocorticolimbic system following repeated administration of nicotine.
Verbal autopsy of 80,000 adult deaths in Tamilnadu, South India
Authors: Gajalakshmi Vendhan , Peto Richard 
Published: October 2004

Abstract
Background
Registration of the fact of death is almost complete in the city of Chennai and not so in the rural Villupuram district in Tamilnadu, India. The cause of death is often inadequately recorded on the death certificate in developing countries like India. A special verbal autopsy (VA) study of 48 000 adult (aged ≥ 25 yrs) deaths in the city of Chennai (urban) during 1995–97 and 32 000 in rural Villupuram during 1997–98 was conducted to arrive at the probable underlying cause of death to estimate cause specific mortality.

Methods
A ten day training on writing verbal autopsy (VA) report for adult deaths was given to non-medical graduates with at least 15 years of formal education. They interviewed surviving spouse/close associates of the deceased to write a verbal autopsy report in local language (Tamil) on the complaints, symptoms, signs, duration and treatment details of illness prior to death. Each report was reviewed centrally by two physicians independently. Random re-interviewing of 5% of the VA reports was done to check the reliability and reproducibility of the VA report. The validity of VA diagnosis was assessed only for cancer deaths.

Results
Verbal autopsy reduced the proportion of deaths attributed to unspecified and unknown causes from 54% to 23% (p < 0.0001) in urban and from 41% to 26% (p < 0.0001) in rural areas in Tamilnadu for adult deaths (≥ 25). The sensitivity of VA to identify cancer was 95% in the age group 25–69.

Conclusion
A ten day training programme to write verbal autopsy report with adequate feed back sessions and random sampling of 5% of the verbal autopsy reports for re-interview worked very well in Tamilnadu, to arrive at the probable underlying cause of death reliably for deaths in early adult life or middle age (25–69 years) and less reliably for older ages (70+). Thus VA is practicable for deaths in early adult life or middle age and is of more limited value in old age.
Practice patterns of naturopathic physicians: results from a random survey of licensed practitioners in two US States
Authors: Boon Heather S , Cherkin Daniel C , Erro Janet , Sherman Karen J , Milliman Bruce , Booker Jennifer , Cramer Elaine H , Smith Michael J , Deyo Richard A , Eisenberg David M 
Published: October 2004

Abstract
Background
Despite the growing use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) by consumers in the U.S., little is known about the practice of CAM providers. The objective of this study was to describe and compare the practice patterns of naturopathic physicians in Washington State and Connecticut.

Methods
Telephone interviews were conducted with state-wide random samples of licensed naturopathic physicians and data were collected on consecutive patient visits in 1998 and 1999. The main outcome measures were: Sociodemographic, training and practice characteristics of naturopathic physicians; and demographics, reasons for visit, types of treatments, payment source and visit duration for patients.

Result
One hundred and seventy practitioners were interviewed and 99 recorded data on a total of 1817 patient visits. Naturopathic physicians in Washington and Connecticut had similar demographic and practice characteristics. Both the practitioners and their patients were primarily White and female. Almost 75% of all naturopathic visits were for chronic complaints, most frequently fatigue, headache, and back symptoms. Complete blood counts, serum chemistries, lipids panels and stool analyses were ordered for 4% to 10% of visits. All other diagnostic tests were ordered less frequently. The most commonly prescribed naturopathic therapeutics were: botanical medicines (51% of visits in Connecticut, 43% in Washington), vitamins (41% and 43%), minerals (35% and 39%), homeopathy (29% and 19%) and allergy treatments (11% and 13%). The mean visit length was about 40 minutes. Approximately half the visits were paid directly by the patient.

Conclusion
This study provides information that will help other health care providers, patients and policy makers better understand the nature of naturopathic care.
Factors influencing quality of life in patients with active tuberculosis
Authors: Marra Carlo A , Marra Fawziah , Cox Victoria C , Palepu Anita , Fitzgerald J Mark 
Published: October 2004

Abstract
Background
With effective treatment strategies, the focus of tuberculosis (TB) management has shifted from the prevention of mortality to the avoidance of morbidity. As such, there should be an increased focus on quality of life (QoL) experienced by individuals being treated for TB. The objective of our study was to identify areas of QoL that are affected by active TB using focus groups and individual interviews.

Methods
English, Cantonese, and Punjabi-speaking subjects with active TB who were receiving treatment were eligible for recruitment into the study. Gender-based focus group sessions were conducted for the inner city participants but individual interviews were conducted for those who came to the main TB clinic or were hospitalized. Facilitators used open-ended questions and participants were asked to discuss their experiences of being diagnosed with tuberculosis, what impact it had on their lives, issues around adherence to anti-TB medications and information pertaining to their experience with side effects to these medications. All data were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using constant comparative analysis.

Results
39 patients with active TB participated. The mean age was 46.2 years (SD 18.4) and 62% were male. Most were Canadian-born being either Caucasian or Aboriginal. Four themes emerged from the focus groups and interviews. The first describes issues related to the diagnosis of tuberculosis and sub-themes were identified as 'symptoms', 'health care provision', and 'emotional impact'. The second theme discusses TB medication factors and the sub-themes identified were 'adverse effects', 'ease of administration', and 'adherence'. The third theme describes social support and functioning issues for the individuals with TB. The fourth theme describes health behavior issues for the individuals with TB and the identified sub-themes were "behavior modification" and "TB knowledge."

Conclusion
Despite the ability to cure TB, there remains a significant impact on QOL. Since much attention is spent on preventative or curative mechanisms, the impact of this condition on QoL is often not considered. Attention to the issues experienced by patients being treated for TB may optimize adherence and treatment success.
Translation research: from accurate diagnosis to appropriate treatment
Authors: Webb Craig P , Pass Harvey I 
Published: October 2004

AbstractThis review article focuses on the various aspects of translational research, where research on human subjects can ultimately enhance the diagnosis and treatment of future patients. While we will use specific examples relating to the asbestos related cancer mesothelioma, it should be stressed that the general approach outlined throughout this review is readily applicable to other diseases with an underlying molecular basis. Through the integration of molecular-based technologies, systematic tissue procurement and medical informatics, we now have the ability to identify clinically applicable "genotype"-"phenotype" associations across cohorts of patients that can rapidly be translated into useful diagnostic and treatment strategies. This review will touch on the various steps in the translational pipeline, and highlight some of the most essential elements as well as possible roadblocks that can impact success of the program. Critical issues with regard to Institutional Review Board (IRB) and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) compliance, data standardization, sample procurement, quality control (QC), quality assurance (QA), data analysis, preclinical models and clinical trials are addressed. The various facets of the translational pipeline have been incorporated into a fully integrated computational system, appropriately named Dx2Tx. This system readily allows for the identification of new diagnostic tests, the discovery of biomarkers and drugable targets, and prediction of optimal treatments based upon the underlying molecular basis of the disease.
The connection domain in reverse transcriptase facilitates the in vivo annealing of tRNALys3 to HIV-1 genomic RNA
Authors: Cen Shan , Niu Meijuan , Kleiman Lawrence 
Published: October 2004

AbstractThe primer tRNA for reverse transcription in HIV-1, tRNALys3, is selectively packaged into the virus during its assembly, and annealed to the viral genomic RNA. The ribonucleoprotein complex that is involved in the packaging and annealing of tRNALys into HIV-1 consists of Gag, GagPol, tRNALys, lysyl-tRNA synthetase (LysRS), and viral genomic RNA. Gag targets tRNALys for viral packaging through Gag's interaction with LysRS, a tRNALys-binding protein, while reverse transcriptase (RT) sequences within GagPol (the thumb domain) bind to tRNALys. The further annealing of tRNALys3 to viral RNA requires nucleocapsid (NC) sequences in Gag, but not the NC sequences GagPol. In this report, we further show that while the RT connection domain in GagPol is not required for tRNALys3 packaging into the virus, it is required for tRNALys3 annealing to the viral RNA genome.
Differences Between Mistimed and Unwanted Pregnancies Among Women Who Have Live Births
Authors: D'Angelo Denise V. , Gilbert Brenda Colley , Rochat Roger W. , Santelli John S. , Herold Joan M. 
Published: October 2004

CONTEXT: Mistimed and unwanted pregnancies that result in live births are commonly considered together as unintended pregnancies, but they may have different precursors and outcomesMETHODS: Data from 15 states participating in the 1998 Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System were used to calculate the prevalence of intended, mistimed and unwanted conceptions, by selected variables. Associations between unintendedness and women's behaviors and experiences before, during and after the pregnancy were assessed through unadjusted relative risks.RESULTS: The distribution of intended, mistimed and unwanted pregnancies differed on nearly every variable examined; risky behaviors and adverse experiences were more common among women with mistimed than intended pregnancies and were most common among those whose pregnancies were unwanted. The likelihood of having an unwanted rather than mistimed pregnancy was elevated for women 35 or older (relative risk, 2.3) and was reduced for those younger than 25 (0.8); the pattern was reversed for the likelihood of mistimed rather than intended pregnancy (0.5 vs. 1.7–2.7). Parous women had an increased risk of an unwanted pregnancy (2.1–4.0) but a decreased risk of a mistimed one (0.9). Women who smoked in the third trimester, received delayed or no prenatal care, did not breastfeed, were physically abused during pregnancy, said their partner had not wanted a pregnancy or had a low‐birth‐weight infant had an increased risk of unintended pregnancy; the size of the increase depended on whether the pregnancy was unwanted or mistimedCONCLUSION: Clarifying the difference in risk between mistimed and unwanted pregnancies may help guide decisions regarding services to women and infants
Suitability of Peroxidase-Suppressed Transgenic Hybrid Aspen (Populus sieboldii X Populus gradidentata) for Pulping
Authors: Tamura Takashi , Morohoshi Noriyuki , Yasuda Seiichi 
Published: October 2004

Summary
Lignin content, lignin composition and lignin removal were investigated in hybrid aspen (Populus sieboldii X Populus gradidentata) with suppressed peroxidase (POX) contents, involved in the dehydrogenative polymerization of monolignols. No significant suppression of the lignin content of the transgenic hybrid aspen was observed, but one (POX 29) of the POX-suppressed hybrid aspen species had a lower lignin content and gave a higher pulp yield at the same lignin content in kraft pulping than the control wild type. The molecular weight distribution of kraft lignins, sugar compositions and yields of nitrobenzene oxidation products of the transgenic woods were not different from those of the wild-type wood. These results indicate that suppression of POX may hold promise for producing woods suited for milder kraft pulping conditions using less chemicals and lower pulping temperature.
Leachability and Decay Resistance of Tetraphenylborate Salt-Treated Wood
Authors: Lin Liang , Furuno Takeshi , Katoh Sadanobu 
Published: October 2004

Summary
In order to reduce the leachability of boron compounds in wood, the double treatment of tetraphenylborate sodium salt [(C6H5)4BNa] (TPBNa) with potassium chloride (KCl) or tetramethylammonium bromide [(CH3)4NBr] (TMABr) was investigated by impregnating them into sapwood specimens of Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) to form insoluble salts of tetraphenylborate tetramethylammonium or tetraphenylborate potassium. The reduction of boron retention in treated wood specimens after the waterleaching test was very small, showing the good fixation of boron compounds in wood. The double treatment of TPBNa salts with TMABr or KCl solution also showed an excellent decay-resisting effect against both Coriolus versicolor and Tyromyces palustris at low boron retention.
Quantitative 31P NMR Spectroscopy of Lignins from Transgenic Poplars
Authors: Akim Leonid G. , Argyropoulos Dimitris S. , Jouanin Lise , Leplé Jean-Charles , Pilate Gilles , Pollet Brigitte , Lapierre Catherine 
Published: October 2004

Summary
Milled wood lignins isolated from genetically modified poplar trees were studied by quantitative 31P NMR spectroscopy, in combination with thioacidolysis and mild alkaline hydrolysis. The genetic transformation of the trees included down regulation of CAD and COMT enzyme activities. These analyses confirmed that moderate CAD down-regulation does not substantially alter lignin structure. In contrast, severe CAD deficiency alters the lignin structure more profoundly by decreasing the syringyl/guaiacyl ratio and increasing the degree of condensation of the lignin. The most severe alterations were observed in the lignins from the COMT-transformed lines.
Mechanisms of Terpene Release During Sawdust and Flake Drying
Authors: Banerjee Sujit 
Published: October 2004

Summary
The water and α-pinene released during sawdust and flake drying were simultaneously measured. For sawdust, the drying profiles for water and pinene are very different at oven temperatures of 105 °C, but are similar at 200 °C. There is an initial burst of pinene very early in the process, which is mainly attributed to the loss of pinene dissolved in surface water. Later, the pinene and water are released in a nearconstant ratio, which is ascribed to water mobilizing pinene from the interior of the wood matrix to the wet line. The surfactants present in wood are believed to solubilize pinene into water. Finally, pinene is lost through evaporation when the wood is almost dry. Hence, at least three mechanisms are operative for the movement and release of α-pinene and other terpenes from wood.
Determination of the Material Property Variations Across the Growth Ring of Softwood for Use in a Heterogeneous Drying Model. Part 2. Use of Homogenisation to Predict Bound Liquid Diffusivity and Thermal Conductivity
Authors: Perré Patrick , Turner Ian 
Published: October 2004

Summary
In this work, the extensive knowledge of wood gained at the Ecole Nationale du Génie Rural des Eaux et Forêts by using a combination of microscopic observation and experimental work is being used to postulate material property correlations for a macroscopic heterogeneous “Cerne” growth ring model of softwood. In this second part, the method of homogenisation is used to capture the contrast of property between the gaseous phase and the solid phase. Homogenisation problems are computed using a Control Volume formulation. The tracheid model developed in Part 1 has been used to define several elementary representative volumes. Consequently, bound water diffusivity and thermal conductivity can be predicted for each material direction as a function of local wood density. For practical applications, analytical models fitted from the computed values allow these property variations to be easily and accurately determined.
Effects of mixing conditions on the reaction of 3‐octanoylthio‐1‐propyltriethoxysilane during mixing with silica filler and natural rubber
Authors: Yan Hexiang , Sun Kang , Zhang Yong , Zhang Yinxi 
Published: October 2004

AbstractThe effects of mixing temperature and mixing time on the reaction of 3‐octanoylthio‐1‐propyltriethoxysilane (NXT silane) during mixing with precipitated silica and natural rubber (NR) were investigated. Results showed that the reaction between NXT silane and precipitated silica can proceed at temperatures above 130°C. Because of the blocking group of NXT silane, the silane–NR coupling reactivity is low, so that the reaction of NXT silane with NR occurs only during the curing period. There is no reaction between NXT silane and NR during mixing, which showed that the mixing time of silica‐filled NR compound containing NXT silane must be longer than 10 min at 150°C to obtain the desired silane coupling efficiency. With increasing mill temperature, the coupling efficiency increases. A high mixing temperature promotes improvement of silane–silica coupling efficiency, although the tensile strength, 100% modulus, 300% modulus, and hardness of NR vulcanizates decrease. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 94: 2295–2301, 2004
Photobase‐generating new polyurethanes with oxime–urethane groups in the main chain
Authors: Buruiana Emil C. , Olaru Mihaela , Simionescu Bogdan C. 
Published: October 2004

AbstractNew polymeric photobase generators containing oxime–urethane groups were prepared by the polyaddition reaction of 2,4‐tolylene diisocyanate with terephthalaldehyde dioxime in the presence or absence of a polyol component to study the ability of these polymers to generate amines through the photolysis of oxime–urethane linkage. The amines induced the crosslinking of poly(glycidyl methacrylate), as proved by the variation of the amount of the insoluble fraction of polymer films with the heating temperature and/or irradiation time. UV and IR absorption spectra indicated that the thermal crosslinking of poly(glycidyl methacrylate) was catalyzed by the photogenerated amines. The photobehavior of the polymers was followed by a reduction of the absorption band at 290 nm, which was characteristic of oxime–urethane groups, as a function of the UV irradiation time. Blue fluorescence was visualized by the treatment of irradiated films with fluorescamine. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 94: 2324–2332, 2004
Bauwerks‐Management‐System (BMS) – Werkzeug zur Substanzerhaltung für Verkehrsbauwerke
Authors: Haardt Peter , Gehrlicher Klaus , Prehn Wolfgang 
Published: October 2004

AbstractDas Bundesfernstraßennetz beinhaltet eine große Anzahl von Brücken und anderen Ingenieurbauwerken, wie Tunnel, Lärmschutzeinrichtungen und Stützwände. Die für diese Bauwerke aufzustellenden Erhaltungsprogramme erfordern nicht nur erhebliche Geldmittel, sondern beeinflussen auch Wirtschaft und Gesellschaft insgesamt. Neben den ständig wachsenden Verkehrsbeanspruchungen zwingen die ungünstiger werdende Altersstruktur und der wirtschaftliche Einsatz der zur Verfügung stehenden Haushaltsmittel alle Beteiligten dazu, die Erhaltung der Bundesfernstraßen zu systematisieren, um auch zukünftig den Verkehrsteilnehmern eine ausreichende Qualität der Verkehrswege zu sichern. Diese Aufgabe wird durch die Anwendung eines umfassenden Management Systems (Bauwerks‐Management‐System, BMS) unterstützt und erleichtert.Das BMVBW realisiert ein umfassendes Bauwerks‐Management‐System mit Teil modulen für Bundes‐ und Länderverwaltungen, welches als Hilfsmittel für die Erstellung von Erhaltungsplanungen dient und als Controlling‐Instrument die Realisierung von Zielen und Strategien ermöglicht. Angestrebt werden damit eine bundesweite Vereinheitlichung von Planungsverfahren sowie die Verbesserung der Wirtschaftlichkeit im Rahmen der Erhaltung der Bauwerke des Bundesfernstraßennetzes.Der Beitrag beschreibt neben den bereits existierenden Regelungen und Verfahren die aktuellen Entwicklungen von Verfahren zur Unterstützung der Erhaltungsplanungen, die derzeit für Computeranwendungen bereitgestellt werden.Wesentliche Einzelthemen sind Informationsbereitstellung, Entwicklung von Erhaltungsstrategien und Bewertungsverfahren auf Objekt‐ und Netzebene.
Bestimmung eines Verbundgesetzes auf Basis von Einzelfaser‐Pull‐Out‐Versuchen
Authors: Banholzer Björn , Brameshuber Wolfgang , Geus Jörg , Jung Wolf 
Published: October 2004

AbstractIn den letzten Jahren wurden viele Modelle zur analytischen Bestimmung des Verbundes zwischen Faser und Matrix aus Pull‐Out‐Versuchen entwickelt. Diese beruhen jedoch auf einer begrenzten Anzahl zu variierender materialspezifischer Parameter und erlauben somit keine freie mathematische Beschreibung des Verbundgesetzes. Im vorliegenden Beitrag wird ein analytisches Modell vorgestellt, das die direkte inverse Berechnung eines Verbundgesetzes, bestehend aus N linearen Teil stücken auf Basis von Last‐Verformungs‐Kurven eines Pull‐Out‐Tests ermöglicht, bei dem die Anzahl N nicht begrenzt ist. Das Verbundgesetz kann somit ohne mathematische Einschränkungen beschrieben werden. Die Anwendbarkeit des vorgestellten Modells wird anhand einer Auswertung von Stahlfaser‐Pull‐Out‐Versuchsergebnissen demonstriert.