bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Photomechanical delivery of 100‐nm microspheres through the stratum corneum: Implications for transdermal drug delivery
Authors: Lee Shun , McAuliffe Daniel J. , Kollias Nikiforos , Flotte Thomas J. , Doukas Apostolos G. 
Published: October 2002

AbstractBackground and ObjectivesPhotomechanical waves (PWs) render the stratum corneum permeable and allow molecules to diffuse into the epidermis. The aim of this study was to investigate the probe size that could be delivered through the stratum corneum and into the epidermis.Study Design/Materials and MethodsA single PW was applied onto the rat skin in vivo. Aqueous suspensions of fluorescent microspheres, 100 nm in diameter, were used as probes for transdermal delivery. The presence of the microspheres in the epidermis was measured by a fiber‐based spectrofluorimeter after the stratum corneum was removed by tape‐stripping (TS).ResultsExposure of the rat skin to a PW permeabilized the stratum corneum and allowed the fluorescent microspheres to diffuse into the epidermis.ConclusionsThe experiments show that PWs can facilitate the delivery of very large molecules and probes into the epidermis. Lasers Surg. Med. 31:207–210, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
GPX5 is present in the mouse caput and cauda epididymidis lumen at three different locations
Authors: Rejraji Hanae , Vernet Patrick , Drevet JoËl R. 
Published: October 2002

AbstractIn mice, GPX5 is a secreted protein abundantly synthesized by the caput epididymidis. The protein is secreted as early as the initial segment of the caput and is found subsequently associated with the sperm plasma membrane in a sub‐acrosomic localization. We show here that GPX5 is present in the caput and cauda epididymides lumens in three different locations: either free as a soluble protein in the caput epididymal fluid, weakly bound to caput sperm membranes, or, finally, associated to lipid‐containing structures conferring to the protein a protective effect against proteolytic digestions. Within the cauda epididymidis, the amount of free GPX5 is low compared to the caput and the association with sperm membranes proved to be more solid. In both caput and cauda sperm samples, the association of GPX5 with the sperm membrane protects GPX5 from proteolytic cleavages. Protection against proteolytic digestions can be overcome by physical treatments of epididymal fluid and sperm samples such as ultrasounds or very acidic pH. These data suggest that complex phenomena and structures participate in the transfer and binding of the caput‐secreted GPX5 protein to the sperm plasma membrane. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 63: 96–103, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effects of the aromatase inhibitor fadrozole on plasma sex steroid secretion, spermatogenesis and epididymis morphology in the lizard, Podarcis sicula
Authors: Cardone Anna , Comitato Raffaella , Bellini Luigi , Angelini Francesco 
Published: October 2002

AbstractRecently, increasing importance has been attached to the role of estrogens and their receptors in male reproduction, since they have been found to be abundant in the male reproductive tract. In the lizard, Podarcis sicula, a seasonal breeder, estrogens seem to be involved in the regulation of testicular activity. Particularly, it has been hypothesized that the block of spermatogenesis and the complete regression of the epididymis and other secondary sexual characters (SSCs) in autumn might be due to high estrogen levels. To investigate the role of estrogens in the reproductive process of male lizards, we utilized Fadrozole ((AI) [4‐(5,6,7,8‐tetrahydroimidazole [1,5‐a] pyridin‐5‐yl)‐benzonitrile monohydrochloride] (CGS 16949A)), a nonsteroidal inhibitor of aromatase, the enzyme involved in the aromatization of androgens to estrogens, evaluating its effects on plasma sex‐hormone release, spermatogenesis and epididymis morphology. For this purpose, adult male lizards, captured during the autumnal recrudescence, were intraperitoneally injected with 0.5 μg and 5 μg/g/body weight of AI for 15 and 30 days. In the animals treated with the higher AI dose, estrogen levels decreased if compared to the control groups, whereas androgen levels increased. Furthermore, histologic sections of testes and epididymes showed that the 30‐day treatment with AI‐induced spermatogenesis resumption with release of sperms into the large lumen of the seminiferous tubules, and the epididymes appeared more developed with moderately secreting columnar canal cells. Therefore, it is proposed that failure of spermatogenesis in autumn might be due to high estrogen levels. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 63: 63–70, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Questionnaires for women with urinary symptoms
Authors: Graham Christopher W. , Dmochowski Roger R. 
Published: October 2002

AbstractAimsTo identify the characteristics of optimal symptom questionnaires in women with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS).MethodsLiterature review.ResultsAlthough numerous questionnaires have been developed for the evaluation of female LUTS, no one instrument has emerged as that preferred for collecting and reporting subjective information about LUTS in women. Questionnaires currently available range widely in intended purpose, extent and style, and in the quality of testing used to validate them.ConclusionsQuestionnaires should be constructed based on scientifically sound validation techniques that reflect disease and/or symptoms in the target population. They should be concise, easily administered and scored, discriminant between sphincter and bladder causes of incontinence, and able to measure severity and the effect of the symptom on the patient. Neurourol. Urodynam. 21:473–481, 2002. © Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Flapwise bending vibration of rotating plates
Authors: Yoo H. H. , Kim S. K. 
Published: October 2002

AbstractLinear equations of motion for the flapwise bending vibration analysis of rotating plates are derived in the present work. The equations of motion are transformed into dimensionless forms in which three dimensionless parameters are identified. The effects of the dimensionless parameters on the characteristics of the flapwise bending vibration of rotating plates are investigated. The accuracy of the present modelling method is verified through comparing its numerical results to those obtained by an existing method in the related literature. Eigenvalue loci crossing and eigenvalue loci veering phenomena are observed and discussed. The variations of mode shapes associated with the phenomena are also exhibited. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Infant and caregiving factors affecting weight‐for‐age and motor development of full‐term and premature infants at 1 year post‐term
Authors: Pridham Karen F. , Brown Roger , Clark Roseanne , Sondel Sherie , Green Christopher 
Published: October 2002

AbstractGuided by a theoretical process model, we examined direct and indirect effects of infants' biologic condition and experience, the caregiving environment, and caloric intake variables on two outcomes, weight‐for‐age and motor development, for 52 full‐term and 47 premature infants at 12 months post‐term age. For full‐term infants, birth weight and infant expression of positive affect and behavior during feeding had predicted positive direct effects on weight‐for‐age. Infant regulation of negative affect and behavior had an unexpected negative effect on this outcome. For premature infants, severity of acute illness, mother's regulation of negative affect and feeding behavior, and caloric intake affected weight‐for‐age in unpredicted directions. Caregiving variables had indirect effects, through caloric intake, on both outcomes only for premature infants. The findings suggest the theoretical process model differs for premature infants and full‐term infants, both in the contributing variables and in the processes of effects. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Res Nurs Health 25:394–410, 2002
Nuchal translucency measurements in consecutive normal pregnancies. Is there a predisposition to increased levels?
Authors: Maymon R. , Padoa A. , Dreazen E. , Herman A. 
Published: October 2002

AbstractObjectiveThe current study aims to assess the relative risk of isolated increased nuchal translucency (NT) in consecutive normal pregnancies.MethodsA retrospective search of the fetal medicine unit database in which NT assessment was conducted. Only singleton fetuses with an unremarkable pregnancy outcome were included in this study. The repeated NT either at a threshold of >2.5 mm or ⩾95th centile of the normal range for various CRLs (2 mm at a CRL ⩽44 mm to 2.85 mm at CRLs 83–84 mm) was assessed. Pearson's correlation was applied to investigate any correlation between a log10 NT obtained in two consecutive pregnancies. The chance of an increased NT in the first pregnancy followed by similar results in the subsequent one was assessed using Fisher's exact test.ResultsNinety‐two pregnant women with two consecutive normal pregnancies were identified. There was a highly significant correlation between the log10 NT values measured in the consecutive pregnancies (r = 0.38; p < 0.001). The relative risk of an isolated NT ⩾2.5 mm in the first pregnancy to be followed by a similar finding in the subsequent one was 18.21 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.62–91.55). The relative risk of an isolated NT ⩾95th centile in the first pregnancy to be followed by a similar result in the subsequent one was 21 (95% CI: 4.53–97.44).ConclusionThe current results indicate a significant correlation of NT values in consecutive unaffected pregnancies. There also was a predisposition for a repeated isolated increased NT in subsequent pregnancies. Additional series and more information are needed before firm conclusions can be made. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Decreased first trimester PAPP‐A is a predictor of adverse pregnancy outcome
Authors: Yaron Yuval , Heifetz Sigal , Ochshorn Yifat , Lehavi Ofer , Orr‐Urtreger Avi 
Published: October 2002

AbstractObjectiveLow levels of maternal serum pregnancy associated plasma protein‐A (PAPP‐A) have been linked to chromosome anomalies such as trisomy 21, 13 and 18, triploidy and sex chromosome aneuploidy. Low levels of PAPP‐A have also been implicated in spontaneous miscarriage. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether low levels of first trimester PAPP‐A are predictive of other adverse pregnancy outcomes.Study designThe study included patients with singleton pregnancies who underwent combined first trimester screening using nuchal translucency (NT) and maternal serum free β‐human chorionic gonadotrophin (free β‐hCG) and PAPP‐A at 10–13 weeks' gestation. Patients with chromosome aberrations or fetal anomalies were excluded. Serum marker levels were expressed as gestational age‐specific multiples of the median (MoMs). The incidences of various adverse pregnancy outcomes (spontaneous preterm labor, fetal growth restriction (FGR), proteinuric and non‐proteinuric pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH), intrauterine fetal demise, oligohydramnios, spontaneous miscarriage and placental abruption) were evaluated, according to maternal PAPP‐A MoM levels.ResultsOf the 1622 patients in the study, pregnancy complications were observed in 184 (11.3%). Patients with PAPP‐A ⩽0.25 MoM had significantly higher rates of FGR (RR = 3.12), proteinuric PIH (RR = 6.09), spontaneous miscarriage (RR = 8.76). No statistically significant differences were noted for other adverse outcomes evaluated Women with PAPP‐A ⩽0.50 MoM also had significantly higher rates of FGR (RR = 3.30) and spontaneous miscarriage (RR = 3.78).ConclusionsWe conclude that decreased levels of first trimester maternal serum PAPP‐A are predictive not only of chromosome anomalies but also of adverse pregnancy outcome. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Molecular prenatal diagnosis of Smith–Lemli–Opitz syndrome is reliable and efficient
Authors: Loeffler Judith , Utermann Gerd , Witsch‐Baumgartner Martina 
Published: October 2002

AbstractSmith–Lemli–Opitz (RSH) syndrome (SLOS, OMIM 270400) is a relatively common, autosomal recessive disorder of cholesterol biosynthesis with a broad spectrum of phenotypic abnormalities caused by mutations of the 7‐dehydrocholesterol reductase gene (DHCR7) on chromosome 11. Prenatal diagnosis can be established by detection of elevated 7‐dehydrocholesterol or of SLOS‐causing mutations in the DHCR7 gene. We report here our experience with molecular prenatal diagnosis of SLOS. Mutation analysis of the DHCR7 gene was performed in chorionic villus samples of 13 pregnancies of couples with a family history of SLOS and known SLOS genotypes. This approach is accurate and reliable. If facilities for biochemical analysis are not available, or in cases with ambiguous biochemical patterns, molecular prenatal diagnosis is an attractive, alternative option. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fetal fibrochondrogenesis at 26 weeks' gestation
Authors: Randrianaivo Hanitra , Haddad Georges , Roman Horatiu , Lise Anne , Toutain Annick , Le Merrer Martine , Moraine Claude 
Published: October 2002

AbstractAn Erratum has been published for this article in Prenatal Diagnosis 22(13) 2002, 1241.Fibrochondrogenesis is a rare and lethal osteochondrodysplasia with an autosomal recessive mode of inheritance. We report a male fetus in which the diagnosis of lethal osteochondrodysplasia was suspected on prenatal ultrasound and radiological examinations during the second trimester of pregnancy. After termination of pregnancy, fibrochondrogenesis was diagnosed by radiological examination and histological study of fetal bones. Interwoven fibrous septa and fibroblastic degeneration of chondrocytes are pathognomonic. The recurrence rate is 25% and accurate diagnosis is necessary to enable genetic counselling. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Enantiomer‐selective polymerization of (RS)‐(phenoxymethyl)thiirane with diethylzinc/L‐amino acid
Authors: Imai Tomoko , Hayakawa Kohei , Satoh Toshifumi , Kaga Harumi , Kakuchi Toyoji 
Published: October 2002

AbstractEnantiomer‐selective polymerization of (RS)‐(phenoxymethyl)thiirane (RS‐1) was carried out with ZnEt2/L‐α‐amino acid as an initiator system, and the effect of the initiator system on the enantiomer selectivity was examined with various amino acids. All polymerizations heterogeneously proceeded, and every initiating system was effective in producing optically active polymers. For the polymerization of RS‐1 with diethylzinc (ZnEt2)/L‐leucine (1/1), the conversion was 43.7% in 12 days, and the number‐average molecular weight of the polymer was 18,000. The enantiomer selectivity was maximum when the molar ratio of the two components in the ZnEt2/L‐α‐amino acid system was 1:1. When the ZnEt2/L‐leucine (1/1) system was used in the polymerization, the best result was obtained with an enantiomer‐selectivity value of 5.36. During the polymerization, the S enantiomer was preferentially consumed, and the isotactic‐rich polymer was enriched in the S configurational units produced. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 40: 3443–3448, 2002
Viscoelasticity and tack of poly(vinyl pyrrolidone)–poly(ethylene glycol) blends
Authors: Roos Alexandra , Creton Costantino , Novikov Mikhail B. , Feldstein Mikhail M. 
Published: October 2002

AbstractThe adhesive properties of blends of high molecular weight poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP) and low molecular weight poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) were systematically investigated with a probe test and correlated with their viscoelastic properties. The material parameters that were varied were the PEG content (31–41 wt %) and the hydration rate. The 36% PEG showed the best balance of properties for a pressure‐sensitive adhesive. At low debonding rates, the debonding took place through the formation of a fibrillar structure, whereas at high debonding rates, the debonding was brittle. This transition was attributed to the breakage and reformation of hydrogen bonds between PVP units and OH groups on PEG during the large strain of the polymer chains in elongation. This transition was observed, albeit shifted in frequency, for all three compositions, and the characteristic relaxation times of the hydrogen‐bonded network were estimated. A comparison between the tack properties of the adhesives and their linear viscoelastic properties showed a very strong decoupling between the small‐strain and large‐strain properties of the adhesive, which was indicative of a pronounced deviation from rubber elasticity in the behavior of the blends. This deviation, also seen during tensile tests, was attributed to the peculiar phase behavior of the blends. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 40: 2395–2409, 2002
Salt‐promoted protein folding, preferential binding, or electrostatic screening?
Authors: Stellwagen Earle , Olivieri Erna , Righetti Pier Giorgio 
Published: October 2002

AbstractThe extended coil/molten globule conformational equilibrium exhibited by ferricytochrome c in 10 to 20 mM HCl was examined using free boundary capillary electrophoresis. Addition of the osmolyte glucitol, also called sorbitol, to shift the conformational equilibrium toward the molten globule markedly diminished the mobility of the protein. This diminution can be entirely assigned to the relative viscosity of the added glucitol. The insensitivity of the viscosity corrected protein mobility to added glucitol suggests that both the extended coil and molten globule conformations of cytochrome c are free draining in an electrophoresis measurement. Addition of a neutral salt to shift the conformational equilibrium toward the molten globule conformation also markedly diminished the mobility of the protein. This diminution can be entirely assigned to the electrostatic screening afforded by the added salt. The onset of the conformational transition observed by optical measurements and the onset of electrostatic screening observed by mobility measurements appear to be in common for some but not all neutral salts. The exception suggests that preferential binding of the anion of a neutral salt to the molten globule conformation and not electrostatic screening is principally responsible for the shift in the conformational equilibrium of cytochrome c in acidic solutions. Proteins 2002;49:147–153. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
DNA‐based immunotherapy: potential for treatment of chronic viral hepatitis?
Authors: Beckebaum Susanne , Cicinnati Vito R. , Gerken Guido 
Published: October 2002

AbstractPersistent HBV and HCV infection represent major causes of chronic liver disease with a high risk of progression to liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Conventional protein‐based vaccines are highly efficacious in preventing HBV infection; whereas in therapeutic settings with chronically infected patients, results have been disappointing. Prophylactic vaccination against HCV infection has not yet been achieved due to many impediments including frequent spontaneous mutations of the virus with escape from immune system control. Using animal models it has been demonstrated that DNA‐based immunisation strategies may overcome this problem because of their potential to induce immunity against multiple viral epitopes. DNA‐based vaccines mimic the effect of live attenuated viral vaccines, eliciting cell mediated immunity in addition to inducing humoral responses. Efficacy may further be improved by addition of DNA encoding immunomodulatory cytokines and more recently, direct genetic modulation of antigen‐presenting cells, such as dendritic cells (DC), has been shown to increase antigen‐specific immune responses. This review focuses on immunological aspects of chronic HBV and HCV infection and on the potential of DNA‐ and DC‐based vaccines for the treatment of chronic viral hepatitis. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Reachability of nonlinear fed‐batch fermentation processes
Authors: Szederkényi G. , Kovács M. , Hangos K. M. 
Published: October 2002

AbstractThe reachability of a simple nonlinear fed‐batch fermentation process model is investigated in this paper. It is shown that the known difficulties of controlling such processes are primarily caused by the fact that the rank of the reachability distribution is always less than the number of state variables.Furthermore, a co‐ordinates transformation is calculated analytically that shows the nonlinear combination of the state variables which is independent of the input. The results of the reachability analysis and that of the co‐ordinates transformation are independent of the source function in the system model.The results are extended to the four state variable non‐isotherm case, and to nonlinear fed‐batch chemical reactors with general reaction kinetics. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Dynamic neural network calibration of quartz transducers
Authors: Schultz R.L. 
Published: October 2002

AbstractThe performance of quartz pressure transducers is often compromised when subjected to thermal transients. In this paper, a new method of calibrating quartz transducers in which a neural network is used to accomplish a dynamic calibration of a transducer pair for a range of temperatures and pressures will be described. When a quartz pressure transducer is exposed to an environmental temperature change, thermal stress is induced in the sensing element. This thermal stress causes erroneous pressure readings until thermal equilibrium is achieved within the transducer. In order to compensate the undesirable transient thermal effects on the pressure transducer performance, multiple past and future temperature‐and‐pressure sensor outputs are used as inputs to a calibrating neural network. This new method allows the time‐dependent qualities of the quartz‐oscillator transducer to be included in the calibration scheme. This method can be applied generally to other types of transducers that are subjected to transient environmental effects and is not limited to quartz‐oscillator transducers. A theoretical discussion of this technology is presented, followed by experimental results obtained by applying the method to quartz pressure transducer calibration. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Spatial control of cell attachment using plasma micropatterned polymers
Authors: Mitchell S. A. , Emmison N. , Shard A. G. 
Published: October 2002

AbstractSurface chemical patterns of plasma‐polymerized hexane were produced using a simple masking technique. The rate of proliferation of Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells on the treated surfaces compared with untreated tissue culture polystyrene (TCPS) were found to correlate strongly with surface oxygen concentration. A topographical pattern resolution of better than 5 µm was achieved on a freshly cleaved mica surface. A similar chemical pattern resolution on TCPS was evidenced by the spatially selective attachment of CHO cells cultured in 10% serum. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Hydroclimatic Change in Southern Manitoba Since A.D. 1409 Inferred from Tree Rings
Authors: St. George Scott , Nielsen Erik 
Published: October 2002

AbstractA record of estimated annual (prior August to current July) precipitation derived from a regional bur oak (Quercus macrocarpa Michx.) tree-ring chronology indicates that southern Manitoba's hydroclimate has been relatively stable over the last 200 yr. Although this stability was interrupted briefly by pronounced wet intervals in the late A.D. 1820s and 1850s, hydroclimatic conditions since permanent Euro-Canadian settlement were much less variable and persistent than those prior to A.D. 1790. The reconstruction indicates that the Red River basin experienced extremely dry conditions between A.D. 1670 and 1775, with below-normal precipitation occurring approximately 2 years out of 3. Annual precipitation was estimated at more than two standard deviations below the mean during A.D. 1477, 1485, 1556, 1595, 1612, 1644, 1661, 1743, 1900, and 1980. Comparisons with limnological records from North Dakota and Minnesota suggest that multidecadal fluctuations in regional hydroclimate have been remarkably coherent across the northeastern Great Plains during the last 600 yr. However, individual dry years in the Red River basin were usually associated with larger scale drought across much of the North American interior.