bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Drug counselling in pregnancy: an opinion survey of French community pharmacists
Authors: Damase‐Michel Christine , Vié Céline , Lacroix Isabelle , Lapeyre‐Mestre Maryse , Montastruc J. L. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractPurposeThe aim of the present study was to determine whether community pharmacists recommend appropriate medications and give valid information to pregnant women.MethodsA total of 163 community pharmacists randomly selected in the Midi‐Pyrénées area were interviewed by means of an open questionnaire. Ten scenarios were proposed concerning back pain, headache, coughs and sore‐throats, fever, constipation, nausea, dyspepsia, ‘venous insufficiency’, allergic rhinitis and insomnia.ResultsOut of the total, 130 pharmacists accepted to answer. Out of them 94.5% reported advising homeopathy, especially for coughs and allergy. They often advised medication for pain, fever, nose and oropharynx disorders, ‘venous insufficiency’, dyspepsia or constipation. By contrast, they referred the women to the general practitioner for nausea and vomiting or back pain. Advice without drug dispensation was given for gastrointestinal disorders or ‘venous insufficiency’. Phytotherapy only concerned 0.5–2% of the answers except for anxiety and sleep disturbances (59%), ‘venous disorders’(17%) and sore‐throat (9%). Pharmacists' answers were sometimes inappropriate involving (1) pharmacologically illogical advice, (2) drugs for which neither clinical nor experimental data are available and (3) drugs potentially harmful in pregnancy.ConclusionsThe present study shows that French community pharmacists do not always give appropriate advice to pregnant women. As primary health care providers, pharmacists have to improve counselling regarding drug use in pregnancy. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Influence of the cure level on the monomeric friction coefficient of natural rubber vulcanizates
Authors: Marzocca Angel J , Steren Carlos A , Raimondo Roxana B , Cerveny Silvina 
Published: April 2004

AbstractAn experimental investigation was performed in order to correlate the changes observed in dynamic modulus and loss tangent of vulcanized natural rubber with its network structure. A set of samples of natural rubber vulcanized at 413 K and 433 K for different times was prepared to achieve different network structures in the compound material. These networks were analyzed by means of solid‐state NMR techniques in order to distinguish the sulfur bridges formed during vulcanization. The crosslink density was calculated using swelling techniques for each cure condition. Dynamic mechanical tests were performed using a free decay pendulum in the range of temperatures between 213 K and 373 K and oscillating frequencies between 0.1 s−1 and 20 s−1. Loss tangent data were analyzed within the frame of the KMF model and the variation of the monomeric friction coefficient with the crosslink density was obtained. This variation is a consequence of the network structure formed in the different stages of the curing process. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry
In‐depth characterization of granular starch‐graft‐polyester compositions as obtained by in situ polymerization of lactones from the starch surface
Authors: Rutot‐Houzé Delphine , Degée Philippe , Gouttebaron Rachel , Hecq Michel , Narayan Ramani , Dubois Philippe 
Published: April 2004

AbstractThe synthesis of poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL)‐grafted granular starch was carried out either in bulk (without solvent) or in toluene suspension by a two‐step procedure. First step relied upon the activation of the hydroxyl groups available at the starch surface by alkylaluminum derivatives like AlEt3 and removal of non‐surface‐grafted organo‐aluminum active species. The latter species were made free in solution by reaction with the remaining water molecules still contaminating the polymerization medium despite intensive drying of the starch granules. In the second step, ε‐caprolactone was polymerized via a coordination‐insertion ring‐opening polymerization as initiated by the surface‐grafted aluminum alkoxide species. The present contribution aims at investigating various parameters such as nature of the alkyl aluminum activator and monomer (δ‐valerolactone was studied as well), temperature, concentration, and addition of a solvent (polymerization in toluene suspension), reaction time, and also the experimental procedure used to recover the polyester chains and measure the grafting efficiency. It turns out that, under the studied conditions, dialkylaluminum alkoxides surface‐grafted onto the starch granules were more likely generated and promote a fast polymerization reaction with the formation of grafted PCL chains with a molecular weight that can be as high as 225 000 (Mn value) for polymerization carried out in toluene suspension. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry
Crystallization and solid‐state polymerization of poly(aryl ester)s
Authors: James Nirmala R , Ramesh C , Sivaram S 
Published: April 2004

AbstractThe crystallization and solid‐state polymerization (SSP) of poly(aryl ester)s was investigated. Oligomers with different end‐groups were prepared by degradation of commercially available poly(aryl ester)s. The SSP of these oligomers was carried out after crystallization and under reduced pressure, in the presence of various catalysts. Polymers were characterized by means of their inherent viscosities and thermal properties. It has been found that Ti(OiPr)4 was a better catalyst for SSP. The structures and morphologies of semicrystalline poly(aryl ester)s were investigated by X‐ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry
A versatile computer‐controlled high‐resolution LBIC system
Authors: Martín J. , Fernández‐Lorenzo C. , Poce‐Fatou J. A. , Alcántara R. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractThis paper presents the design of versatile equipment for obtaining laser‐beam‐induced current (LBIC) images which allows the study of large surfaces as well as conversion areas of a few micrometers. The modular optomechanical design enables the user to modify the size of the irradiation spot by simply changing the microscope objective used as focal lens, albeit within the limits set by the wavelength. The use of an appropriate calculation algorithm makes it possible to rely on a computerized system to adjust the distance at which the focusing lens must be placed with respect to the sample plane. The possibility of working at micrometer resolution allows one to obtain very significant information for the study of irregularities, manufacturing defects, impurities, grain boundaries, dislocations, recombination centers, etc. in photovoltaic wafers. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Plastic deformation of glassy polystyrene: A unified model of yield and the role of chain length
Authors: Wu J. J. , Buckley C. P. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractA study was made of yield and plastic flow in glassy polystyrene. A range of 12 linear atactic polystyrenes was studied: monodisperse, bimodal blends, and a polydisperse commercial sample. Mn varied between 66,000 and 490,000 g/mol. These were given standardized thermal treatments and then subjected to uniaxial compression tests in the glassy state over the temperature range 40 to 95 °C and nominal strain‐rates 10−4 to 10−3 s−1. Their constitutive responses were interpreted in terms of the physically based three‐dimensional constitutive model for small or large deformations in amorphous polymers proposed earlier (Polymer 1995, 36, 3301–3312), including plastic strain‐induced structural rejuvenation. In multimode form, the model captured closely both linear viscoelastic response and yield and plastic flow. When the reduction of Vogel temperature caused by chain ends was incorporated in the model, it predicted a fall in yield stress with reducing molecular length. This was also observed in experimental data, with the rate of fall approximately in agreement. The results provide further support for the model as a unifying framework for describing the physical properties of polymer glasses. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 42: 2027–2040, 2004
Strain hardening of polycarbonate in the glassy state: Influence of temperature and molecular weight
Authors: Govaert L. E. , Tervoort T. A. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractThis study is concerned with the temperature and molecular weight dependence of the strain‐hardening behavior of polycarbonate. It is shown that the strain‐hardening modulus reduces with increasing temperature and decreasing molecular weight. This result is interpreted in terms of temperature accelerated relaxation of the entanglement network. Moreover, it is shown that frozen‐in orientations, induced by homogeneous deformations above the glass transition temperature, lead to anisotropic yield behavior that can be fully rationalized (and modelled) in terms of a superimposed stress contribution of the prestrained network. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 42: 2041–2049, 2004
Quality of life, self‐esteem and worries in young adult survivors of childhood cancer
Authors: Langeveld N.E. , Grootenhuis M.A. , Voûte P.A. , de Haan R.J. , van den Bos C. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractThis study assessed quality of life, self‐esteem and worries in young adult survivors of childhood cancer compared to a group of young adults with no history of cancer. The impact of demographic, medical and treatment factors and self‐esteem on survivors' quality of life and worries was studied.Participants were 400 long‐term survivors (LTS) of childhood cancer (age range 16–49 years, 45% female) who had completed treatment an average of 16 years previously and 560 persons (age range 16–53 years, 55% female) with no history of cancer. All participants completed the MOS‐24 (Medical Outcome Study Scale), a Worry questionnaire consisting of three scales (cancer‐specific concerns, general health concerns, present and future concerns), and the Rosenberg Self‐Esteem Scale.Small to moderate differences were found in mean MOS‐24 scores between the LTS group and controls (range effect sizes −0.36–0.22). No significant difference was found in the mean self‐esteem scores between LTS and controls. Female LTS had more cancer‐specific concerns than male LTS. In several related areas of general health, self‐image and dying, the LTS group reported less worries than controls, but LTS worried significantly more about their fertility, getting/changing a job and obtaining insurance's. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that female gender, unemployment, severe late effects/health problems and a low self‐esteem were predictors of worse quality of life in survivors. In addition, age at follow‐up, unemployment, years since completion of therapy and a low self‐esteem were associated with a higher degree of survivors' worries.Quality of life and the level of self‐esteem in LTS of childhood cancer is not different from their peers. Although many LTS worried not more or even less about health issues than their peers, they often are concerned about some present and future concerns. The investigated factors could explain poor quality of life and worries only to a limited extent. Further research exploring determinants and indices of quality of life and worries in LTS is warranted. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Relationships between patients' pre‐treatment expectations of toxicities and post chemotherapy experiences
Authors: Olver Ian N. , Taylor Anne E. , Whitford Hayley S. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractA lack of adequate pharmacological explanations for side effect variation following chemotherapy suggests psychological factors may contribute to toxicity experience. This research aimed to determine if patients' expectations were associated with perceived toxicities for a wider range of chemotherapy toxicities than previously researched, including subjective and objective side effects. Eighty‐seven chemotherapy‐naïve patients rated their expectations of 20 common side‐effects before treatment, and then rated their experiences following their first chemotherapy dose. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses revealed that expectations of the inability to concentrate, hair loss, and diarrhoea prior to treatment had the strongest associations with the experience of symptoms. Expectations of encountering problems with sleep and sex, changes in taste or appetite, weakness, and nervousness, all showed moderate associations, and expectations of mood changes, feelings of tiredness, and nausea all showed weak associations with experience. These outcomes suggest that subjective side effects may be more prone to influence by expectation given their ambiguous nature. However, further research needs to be conducted into the effect expectations have on the treatment process, including the impact of other psychological factors. The current overriding emphasis placed on personal autonomy and fully informed consent may set up negative expectations which translate into adverse experiences to the detriment of the patient. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Thermokarst as a short‐term permafrost disturbance, Central Yakutia
Authors: Brouchkov Anatoli , Fukuda Masami , Fedorov Alexander , Konstantinov Pavel , Iwahana Go 
Published: April 2004

AbstractThe widespread occurrence of alas depressions in Central Yakutia is not necessarily evidence of modern thermokarst activity. Typically, a near‐surface ‘shielding layer’, formed as the result of deep thaw in exceptionally warm years, protects underlying icy sediment from thaw. In spite of current climatic warming, there is no noticeable increase in regional thermokarst in Central Yakutia. Periodic forest fires significantly increase soil thermal conductivity and progressive soil salinization is occurring; however, these are insufficient to cause thaw of the underlying icy sediments. Instead, active thermokarst should be regarded as a short‐term catastrophic process. Use of the Kudryavtsev algorithm indicates that the depth of thaw beneath a water body in Central Yakutia can reach 8–10 m within 50 years, and 20+ m within 300 years. Field observations show that current thermokarst has a tendency for fast (5–10+ cm/year) subsidence. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sedimentology and facies distribution of Pleistocene cold‐climate aeolian and fluvial deposits in the Roer Valley Graben (southeastern Netherlands)
Authors: Schokker Jeroen , Koster Eduard A. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractThe Roer Valley Graben (southeastern Netherlands) is an area of tectonic subsidence that contains a 35 m‐thick record of fine‐grained Middle‐ and Upper‐Pleistocene deposits. The sedimentary structures of these sediments were studied using undisturbed sediment cores and cone penetration tests. This enabled a reconstruction of the depositional environment. Seven sedimentary facies were distinguished, ranging from sandy fluvial deposits to loamy aeolian deposits and organic sediments. Wet‐aeolian sand‐sheet and loam deposits are the two most widespread facies. The aeolian sand is characterized by horizontal alternating bedding, attributed to deposition of sand and silty sand on an alternating wet and dry surface. The loam is usually massive and interpreted as a reworked loess deposit. In the sediment sequence, a shift can be observed from a dominance of fluvial deposits to an alternation of fluvial and aeolian deposits and finally, to predominantly aeolian deposits. The majority of the sediments have been deposited during successive Middle‐ and Late‐Pleistocene glacial periods. It is argued that a high groundwater table, attributed to local subsidence and climatic conditions, was the main factor determining the local depositional environment and preservation potential of the sediments in the Roer Valley Graben. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Serum sex hormones and measures of benign prostatic hyperplasia
Authors: Roberts Rosebud O. , Jacobson Debra J. , Rhodes Thomas , Klee George G. , Leiber Michael M. , Jacobsen Steven J. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractBACKGROUNDDespite biologic plausibility, the associations between sex hormones and measures of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) have not been consistently reported.METHODSSubjects were randomly selected from the Olmsted County, MN population (n, 320; median age, 60.9 years) and followed biennially since 1990. In 2002, surrogate measures of BPH were assessed from an approximation of the American Urological Association Symptom Index (AUASI), Peak urinary flow rates (Qmax), and a transrectal ultrasound assessment of prostate volume. Serum levels of prostate specific antigen (PSA), testosterone, bioavailable testosterone, and estradiol were also measured.RESULTSBioavailable testosterone levels declined with increasing cross‐sectional age from 53.8, 50.2, to 41.2 ng/dl (P = 0.001) in men aged <60, 60–69, and >69 years, respectively, and the estradiol/bioavailable testosterone ratio increased from 0.042, 0.044, to 0.050 (P = 0.04). Among men with bioavailable testosterone above the median, estradiol levels had a dose response relationship with prostate size. Among men with bioavailable testosterone level ≤ the median, however, there was no association between estradiol level and prostate volumeCONCLUSIONSWhile cross‐sectional, these findings suggest a more complex relationship between sex steroids and prostate volume in older men than simple independent effects. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Lysophosphatidic acid promotes survival of androgen‐insensitive prostate cancer PC3 cells via activation of NF‐κB
Authors: Raj Ganesh V. , Sekula Jeffrey A. , Guo Rishu , Madden John F. , Daaka Yehia 
Published: April 2004

AbstractBACKGROUNDDysregulated cell survival contributes to the poor efficacy of many chemotherapeutic regimens for patients with advanced prostate cancer. In this study we examined ability of the lipid growth factor lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), a G protein‐coupled receptor (GPCR) ligand, to promote prostate cell survival.METHODSPC3 cells were used as a model to study mechanisms involved in survival of androgen‐insensitive prostate cancer cells. Cell survival was measured by FACS analysis of cell cycle parameters after propidium iodide or annexin V and 7‐AAD immunostaining. Activation state of nuclear facor‐κB (NF‐κB) was determined biochemically by nuclear translocation and transcriptional activation. Human tissue was analyzed for nuclear expression of NF‐κB by immunohistochemistry.RESULTSMolecular dissection of the LPA‐regulated PC3 cell survival revealed the sequential phosphorylation of Akt, IκB, and transcriptional activation of NF‐κB. Both Akt and NF‐κB were required to escape serum deprivation‐induced cell death since their inhibition abrogated the LPA‐mediated PC3 cell survival. Data from archival human tissue show that NF‐κB is constitutively activated in prostate cancers, but not in benign prostate tissues.CONCLUSIONSTargeted disruption of the LPA receptor‐Akt–NF‐κB signaling axis may be effective for the treatment of androgen‐insensitive prostate cancer. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Surgical margin and gleason score as predictors of postoperative recurrence in prostate cancer with or without chromosome 8p allelic imbalance
Authors: Zhou Wei , Goodman Michael , Lyles Robert H. , Lim So Dug , Williams Tanisha Y. , Rusthoven Kyle E. , Mandel Jack S. , Amin Mahul B. , Petros John A. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractBACKGROUNDIdentification of prostate cancer patients at risk for postoperative disease recurrence is an important clinical issue. Existing pathological markers can predict disease recurrence only to a certain extent, and there is a need for more accurate predictors.METHODSUsing “counting alleles,” a novel experimental method, we determined allelic status of chromosome 8p in 107 prostatectomy specimens. Statistical analyses examined the association between pathologic predictors (Gleason score, stage, surgical margin, etc.) and cancer recurrence in patients with and without 8p allelic imbalance (8p AI).RESULTS8p AI cancers were more likely to recur in the presence of a positive surgical margin, whereas recurrence of 8p retaining tumors was associated with the Gleason score, but not with the surgical margin.CONCLUSIONSOur findings suggest that chromosome 8p allelic status affects the predictive value of “traditional” markers of prostate cancer recurrence. If confirmed by larger studies, these results may have important clinical implications. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effect of permixon on human prostate cell growth: Lack of apoptotic action
Authors: Hill Brian , Kyprianou Natasha 
Published: April 2004

AbstractBACKGROUNDPermixon, a phytotherapeutic agent derived from the saw palmetto or Serenoa repens plant, is a lipid/sterol extract that is believed to interfere with 5α‐reductase activity, thus inhibiting prostate growth. In this study, we investigated the magnitude and specificity of the effect of Permixon on cell proliferation and apoptosis in human prostate cancer cells.METHODSThe effect of Permixon was examined in androgen‐independent PC‐3 prostate cancer cells, androgen‐sensitive LNCaP prostate cancer cells, and MCF‐7 breast cancer cells in vitro. Cell growth, apoptosis induction, and cell proliferation was studied after exposure to Permixon at two concentrations (10 and 100 μg/ml). Cell proliferation and cell cycle progression were determined after 24 hr on the basis of 3[H]‐thymidine incorporation assay and flowcytometric analysis, respectively. Apoptosis induction was evaluated in treated and untreated cultures using the Hoescht staining and caspase‐3 activation.RESULTSExposure of prostate and breast cancer cells to a high dose of Permixon (100 μg/ml) resulted in a significant decrease in the rate of cell growth; an effect that was not time‐dependent and was not associated with cell cycle arrest. Permixon treatment (at either high or low dose) had no effect on apoptosis induction in prostate cancer cell lines (P > 0.6). Furthermore, in vitro Permixon was a weak inhibitor of 5α‐reductase activity type 2 in prostatic homogenates.CONCLUSIONSThe results indicate the ability of Permixon to affect prostate cancer cell growth without inducing apoptosis or cell cycle arrest. This effect was not prostate‐specific and was only manifested at high concentrations of Permixon. Furthermore our findings indicate that Permixon is weak inhibitor of 5α‐reductase compared to finasteride. This study challenges previous evidence on the anti‐growth effect of Permixon in the prostate and its ability to inhibit 5α‐reductase activity, while questioning apoptosis as a mechanism of action of this phytotherapeutic against prostate growth, a concept that may have therapeutic significance. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Chemical potential induced phase transitions
Authors: Matlak M. , Molak A. , Pietruszka M. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractA simple electrical set‐up to detect phase transitions is proposed and applied to a series of investigated samples: Gd, Cr, TiNi and CuZnSn, all exhibiting different types of phase transitions. The sample is glued to a contact electrode (here Ag) and immersed into a thermostat. We measure the electrical resistivity of the contact electrode as function of temperature. Due to the fact that the chemical potentials of the sample and the contact electrode should be equal (μs = μe) the electron gas of the contact electrode “feels” a phase transition taking place in the investigated sample. Therefore we observe kinks in the resistivity plot of the contact electrode which easily localize the proper critical temperatures: TC (Gd), TN (Cr) and Tstruct (TiNi, CuZnSn). The proposed method visualizes the prevailing role of the chemical potential at phase transitions and provides a completely new (“remote”) tool to detect critical points in solids. (© 2004 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)