bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Reduced dermatopontin expression is a molecular link between uterine leiomyomas and keloids
Authors: Catherino William H. , Leppert Phyllis C. , Stenmark Matthew H. , Payson Mark , Potlog‐Nahari Clariss , Nieman Lynnette K. , Segars James H. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractUterine leiomyomas are prevalent estrogen‐responsive clonal tumors, but the specific genetic alterations that contribute to their development have not been elucidated. To identify genes involved in the formation of leiomyomas, we used global expression profiling to compare clonal tumors with normal myometrium. Contrary to expectation, genes involved in estrogen action were not differentially expressed between leiomyoma and normal myometrium. Genes encoding extracellular‐matrix proteins were prominently featured, suggesting their involvement in formation of a myofibroblast phenotype. Analysis of the extracellular matrix in the leiomyomas revealed a disordered collagen fibril orientation. Expression of the collagen‐binding protein dermatopontin was found to be consistently decreased in leiomyoma by both reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) and real‐time RT‐PCR (mean underexpression = 9.41‐fold) regardless of leiomyoma size, leiomyoma location, patient race, and patient age. This expression pattern was observed in 11 subjects and a total of 23 leiomyoma:myometrium pairs. Decreased expression of dermatopontin was also associated with keloid formation, a fibrotic disease that shares epidemiologic similarities with leiomyoma. Immunohistochemical studies of leiomyomas and keloids demonstrated reduced levels of dermatopontin in both tissues. In addition, ultrastructural analysis revealed that the orientation of the collagen fibrils in the keloid tissues strongly resembled that in the leiomyomas. Reduction in dermatopontin was associated with an increase in transforming growth factor–β3 (TGFB3) mRNA levels in leiomyomas, whereas other genes involved in dermatopontin signaling were not differentially expressed. These findings suggest that leiomyoma development involves a myofibroblast cell phenotype characterized by dysregulation of genes encoding extracellular‐matrix proteins. In particular, decreased expression of dermatopontin represents a molecular link between the leiomyoma and keloid phenotypes. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Potential role for the sorbitol pathway in the meiotic dysfunction exhibited by oocytes from diabetic mice
Authors: Colton Shannondoah A. , Downs Stephen M. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractComplications common to type I diabetes, such as cataracts and cardiovascular disorders, have been associated with activation of the polyol pathway, which converts glucose to fructose via the intermediate, sorbitol. Under normal glycemic conditions, glucose is typically targeted for glycolysis or the pentose phosphate pathway through phosphorylation by hexokinase. When glucose levels are elevated under diabetic conditions, hexokinase becomes saturated, and the excess glucose is then shunted to aldose reductase, which converts glucose to sorbitol. In the present study, we examined the potential effects of this pathway on the maturation process in mouse oocytes. Increasing concentrations of sorbitol suppressed FSH‐induced maturation in oocytes from control mice. Culturing oocytes from diabetic mice in the presence of inhibitors of aldose reductase reversed the suppression of FSH‐induced meiotic maturation. When oocytes from control mice were cultured with activators of aldose reductase, FSH‐induced maturation was compromised. In addition, treatment with sorbitol or activators of the polyol pathway led to reduced cell‐cell communication between the oocyte and the cumulus cells, as well as compromised FSH‐mediated cAMP production and de novo purine synthesis. These data indicate that the suppression of FSH‐induced meiotic maturation observed in oocytes from diabetic mice may result from a shunting of glucose through the polyol pathway. J. Exp. Zool. 301A:439‐448, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Coronary artery imaging using three‐dimensional breath‐hold steady‐state free precession with two‐dimensional iterative partial fourier reconstruction
Authors: Singh Ravi K. , Deshpande Vibhas S. , Haacke E. Mark , Shea Steven M. , Xu Yingbiao , McCarthy Richard M. , Carr James , Li Debiao 
Published: April 2004

AbstractPurposeTo assess the feasibility of using a two‐dimensional partial Fourier (PF) reconstruction scheme to reduce the acquisition time of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of coronary arteries.Materials and MethodsSymmetric k‐space data sets of coronary arteries were collected in seven volunteers using a three‐dimensional breath‐hold steady‐state free precession (SSFP) sequence. Partial, asymmetric k‐space data sets were generated by removing 25% of the data in the readout direction and 25% of the data in the phase encoding direction. The missing data were then estimated using a two‐dimensional projection‐onto‐convex‐sets (POCS) algorithm or filled with zeroes. Images were reconstructed from the full data set, the PF data set, and the zero‐filled (ZF) data set, respectively. Coronary artery sharpness was evaluated quantitatively and qualitatively.ResultsCoronary artery sharpness in PF images was comparable to that in full k‐space images and significantly better than that in ZF images.ConclusionTwo‐dimensional POCS PF reconstruction is a potentially useful technique for reducing acquisition time or improving spatial resolution for breath‐hold coronary MR angiography. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2004;19:645–649. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A novel technique of raising a pectoralis major myocutaneous flap through the skin paddle incision alone
Authors: Chaturvedi Pankaj , Pathak Kumar A. , Pai Pathamesh S. , Chaukar Devendra A. , Deshpande Mandar S. , D'Cruz Anil K. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractA good reconstruction should not only be functionally and aesthetically sound at the recipient site but also cause least possible cosmetic aberration of the donor site. The pectoralis major myocutaneous (PMMC) flap continues to be one of the most commonly used flap for head and neck reconstruction in this part of the world. Conventionally, once the skin paddle over the pectoralis major muscle is marked, a line is drawn joining the outer edge of the skin flap extending to the apex of the anterior axillary skin fold or midclavicular point to expose the underlying pectoralis major muscle and harvest the flap. We intend to suggest a novel technique, in which the pectoralis major muscle is exposed by raising the skin around the skin paddle incision alone without making any further extension. J. Surg. Oncol. 2004;86:105–106. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Tourism development — centres versus peripheries: the Israeli experience during the 1990s
Authors: Krakover Shaul 
Published: April 2004

AbstractInitially tourism was potentially considered as a vehicle for reducing inequalities in regional development through the spread of resources from the more developed regions of a country to its less developed areas. Later, case studies demonstrated that, although certain peripheral areas have emerged as tourist attractions, the large urban centres gained even more in terms of tourism‐generated investment and income. This study examines the Israeli situation comparing tourism development indicators in central versus peripheral areas. Although the two largest cities of Jerusalem and Tel Aviv appear to attract much of the country's investment in tourism hotels and enjoy a large flow of visitors, data for the 1990s reveal that peripheral areas are having higher share in tourism than their counterparts in the central areas. Furthermore, compared with their proportion in the general population, the peripheral areas location quotient related to tourism development indicators is far higher than that of the central areas. The single largest centre of tourism is now located in the town of Elat, situated in isolation in the southernmost tip of the country. The resort areas of Tiberias on the Lake of Galilee in the northeast and that of the Dead Sea area in the southeast came to be large tourism centres. Also, the most flourishing B&B industry has developed in the northern peripheral area. The study contemplates whether or not the Israeli experience is applicable to other countries and concludes with an attempt to draw broader generalisations. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Preferred shopping destination: Hong Kong versus Singapore
Authors: Yeung Sylvester , Wong James , Ko Edmond 
Published: April 2004

AbstractVisitor shopping is an important contributor to the economy of Hong Kong as it accounts for more than half the total visitors' expenditure. Owing to its significance, and strong competition from Singapore, Hong Kong must re‐examine the city's attraction to shoppers. The tourism and retail industries of Hong Kong must formulate effective strategies to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the shopping environment in both cities. This study surveys 309 international visitors about their shopping expectations and perceptions of Hong Kong and Singapore in 15 attributes. Results were analysed by SPSS software (Statistical Package for Social Science) using the techniques of frequencies and paired t‐tests. Singapore outperforms Hong Kong notably in many areas, such as language ability, attitude and efficiency of service staff. The findings indicate an urgency for Hong Kong to strive harder. In conclusion, the article provides some recommendations for the city to re‐establish its reputation as the ‘shopping paradise’ of the Asia Pacific region and to meet the challenge of Singapore as the preferred shopping destination. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Stress corrosion cracking of bainite 0.3C‐1Cr‐1Mn‐1Si‐1Ni type steel in acid rain simulated solution
Authors: Lunarska E. , Nikiforow K. , Sitko E. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractThe effect of carbon content, heat treatment and surface treatment of high strength aircraft 0.3C‐1Cr‐1Mn‐1Si‐1Ni type steel on susceptibility to pitting corrosion, on hydrogen transport and on hydrogen embrittlement has been studied in acid rain simulated solution. Under open circuit conditions, susceptibility to stress corrosion cracking is associated with susceptibility to pitting corrosion and decreases with decreasing carbon content and at application of shot peening. Susceptibility to hydrogen embrittlement governed by hydrogen trapping is promoted by carbon segregation at boundaries of bainite laths and parent austenite grains. Decrease in the carbon content caused the decrease in hydrogen trapping resulting in increasing resistance to hydrogen embrittlement. Shot peening increased the trapping efficiency within the deformed layer, but the presence of the shot peened layer decreased the hydrogen flux entering the core and thus decreased the susceptibility of the core to hydrogen embrittlement.The shot peened low carbon steel, exhibiting mechanical properties required by the appropriate Standard and high resistance to stress corrosion cracking may be considered to replace the standard 0.3C‐1Cr‐1Mn‐1Si‐1Ni steel for the aircraft parts.
Der Korrosionsbegriff bei nichtmetallischen Werkstoffen
Authors: Schmitt G. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractKorrosion ist die Reaktion eines Werkstoffs mit seiner Umgebung, die eine meßbare Veränderung des Werkstoffs bewirkt und zur Beeinträchtigung der Funktion eines Bauteils oder eines ganzen Systems führen kann. Diese erstmals in der DIN 50 900 Teil 1 (1975) formulierte Definition gilt für alle Werkstoffe, auch die Kunststoffe. Die beobachtbaren Erscheinungsformen können unter Berücksichtigung der chemisch sowie physikalisch basierten Mechanismen in ähnlicher Weise strukturiert werden wie die Arten der Metallkorrosion. Dies wird nachfolgend erstmals versucht. Zum Verständnis der Kunststoffkorrosion kann allerdings kaum der Elektrochemiker, sondern eher der Chemiker oder Physiker bzw. der breiter angelegte Korrosionist mit chemisch‐physikalischem Hintergrund beitragen. Ein weites Forschungsfeld ruft nach interdisziplinärer, innovativer Bearbeitung.
Hyperbranched Polyesters Based on Adipic Acid and Glycerol
Authors: Stumbé Jean‐François , Bruchmann Bernd 
Published: April 2004

AbstractSummary: Hyperbranched polyesters with controlled molecular weights and properties have been prepared by an A2 + B3 approach by reacting glycerol and adipic acid without any solvents in the presence of tin catalysts. The hyperbranched polyesters have been evaluated by size exclusion chromatography (SEC) analysis and NMR spectroscopy in order to determine molecular weights and degrees of branching.Idealized structure of the hyperbranched polyesters synthesized here from adipic acid and glycerol in the presence of tin catalysts.imageIdealized structure of the hyperbranched polyesters synthesized here from adipic acid and glycerol in the presence of tin catalysts.
2.2 Cotton fibers as natural raw materials for cellulose acetate production
Authors: Saka Shiro 
Published: April 2004

AbstractThe commercially available cotton species are only three botanical species. For these species, the cotton fibers were described to consist of two different types of fibers termed “lint” and “linter”. The structure and chemical constituents of these cotton fibers were compared, so as to use them judiciously as natural raw materials for cellulose acetate production.
2.3 Wood pulp manufacturing and quality characteristics
Authors: Saka Shiro , Matsumura Hiroyuki 
Published: April 2004

AbstractCellulose acetate being important in the fiber and textile industries is usually prepared from high quality cellulose such as cotton linters and wood pulps with an alpha cellulose content of more than 95%. In this section, therefore, wood pulps and cotton linters appropriate for cellulose acetate production were discussed in their chemical and physical properties so as to use them judiciously as natural raw materials for cellulose acetate production.
5. Applications of cellulose acetate 5.1 Cellulose acetate in textile application
Authors: Law Rachel C. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractThe first cellulose acetate fiber, commonly referred to as acetate, was produced in Europe in 1918 and on a large scale in the United States of America in 1924 making acetate the second man‐made fiber to be produced.1 The usage of acetate worldwide peaked at a consumption of approximately 400 kilotons in the early 1970's.2 In the past three decades the use of acetate fiber has declined as fabric manufacturers moved to lower costs manmade fibers such as polyester. Manufacturers of acetate have worked aggressively to reduce their cost while maintaining product quality. These efforts have had some reward, leading to acetate's categorization as a niche fiber. As such, cellulose acetate represents less than one percent of the world's total fiber consumption as compared to cotton at over a third3 of the world's consumption and polyester at around a fourth.4Acetate has been used and continues to be used in many different textile applications because of its attributes and good textile processing performance. It is used in woven fabrics, knits and braids. It is found in multiple applications including medical gauze, ribbons, coffin linings, home furnishings, woven velvets, tricot knits, men's linings, circular knits, woven satins, woven fashion, women's linings. It is found in a variety of deniers, lusters, colors, finishes, compactions types and package sizes. It is often blended with other fibers to make combination yarns.
6. Prospects for future applications of cellulose acetate
Authors: Glasser Wolfgang G. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractThe prospects for future applications of cellulose acetate (CA) and cellulose esters (CE) were assessed via an analysis of literature data. An examination of more than 50,000 citations in the published literature with relevance to CA and CE has shown that, while the R&D effort continues without discernible slow‐down, the emphasis has shifted in favor of D at the expense of R in recent years; more publications now originate in Southeast Asian countries; and most current journal articles deal with specialty products, such as membranes, controlled release agents, and biopolymers. The prospects for future applications are viewed as being related to the ability to add new performance features to CA, particularly thermal processability, water‐dispersibility, and the ability to interact with other polymers on the molecular level. This can be achieved by such secondary modifications as the introduction of plasticizing (mixed) ester substituents, carboxyl groups, and the use of (monofunctional) oligomers in block copolymers, respectively. In addition, the adoption of acetylation technology to lower grade pulps and even wood and wood fibers may result in new business opportunities in thermoplastic and soluble wood esters, or in acetylated solid wood products with superior dimensional, biological and light‐stability characteristics.
Effect of monoamine reuptake inhibitor NS 2330 in advanced Parkinson's disease
Authors: Bara‐Jimenez William , Dimitrova Tzvetelina , Sherzai Abdulah , Favit Antonella , Mouradian M.M. , Chase Thomas N. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractDopamine reuptake blockers, by enhancing and stabilizing intrasynaptic transmitter levels, could help palliate motor dysfunction in Parkinson's disease. This randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study compared the acute effects of the monoamine uptake inhibitor NS 2330 to those of placebo in 9 relatively advanced parkinsonian patients. At the dose administered, no change in parkinsonian scores was found when NS 2330 was given alone or with levodopa. Moreover, NS 2330 coadministration did not appear to alter dyskinesia severity or the duration of the antiparkinsonian response to levodopa. The drug was well tolerated. Under the conditions of this study, the present results failed to support the usefulness of dopamine reuptake inhibition in the treatment of advanced Parkinson's disease. © 2004 Movement Disorder Society
Experimental animal studies of clip‐induced microvascular trauma
Authors: Kühnel Thomas S. , Müller Gottfried H. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractThis study was designed to evaluate microvascular clip potential for causing changes in vessel‐wall tissue and the extent to which this potential is influenced by features of the clip. Light and scanning electron microscopy were used to examine vessel‐wall changes after temporary clip occlusion. Vessel patency is shown to be influenced by anastomosis and clip site, changes in occlusion force due to material fatigue are described, and novel clip features to reduce vessel trauma are proposed. Evaluation of mechanical clip properties showed that material fatigue does not lead to relevant loss of precision in alpha‐type clips. While the modified clip designed to reduce trauma cannot abolish trauma altogether, it significantly reduces the associated changes and hence the risk of thrombosis. Arteries were more sensitive than veins to clip‐induced trauma, with increased occlusion force producing more severe damage than increased clipping time. Maximal changes were seen in the tunica media. These results indicate the paramount importance of applying modest clip pressure commensurate with the requirements of microvascular Surgery. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Primary nerve repair by muscle autografts prepared with local anesthetic
Authors: Neto Humberto Santo , Pertille Adriana , Teodori Rosana Marcher , Somazz Marco Cesar , Marques Maria Julia 
Published: April 2004

AbstractWe evaluated the usefulness of muscle autografts obtained immediately after graft preparation with lidocaine injections for primary nerve repair. The right sciatic nerve of adult Wistar rats was sectioned, and muscle grafts obtained 15 min or 24 h after lidocaine injection were used to repair a gap 1.5 cm long. Axon and fiber diameters, as well as myelin thickness, decreased to similar extents for grafts of both time intervals. The G‐ratios in the distal stumps of both groups were not different from controls, indicating that regenerated axons had a proper level of myelination. The ultrastructural appearance of the neuromuscular junctions was similar to that of normal samples. These results indicate that there are no restrictions to the use of a muscle graft for primary nerve repair, immediately after lidocaine injection, since the nerve regeneration was comparable to that observed with this type of graft used 24 h after being prepared. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Gene therapy in flap survival
Authors: Waller William , Lee Jonathan , Zhang Feng , Lineaweaver William C. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractGrowth factors are members of a large functional group of polypeptide regulatory molecules that exert a powerful influence on all phases of wound healing and repair through interactions with specific cell surface receptors. The use of growth factors to improve wound healing and the viability of ischemic skin flaps has been well‐documented throughout the last decade. In this article, we review the literature concerning the use gene therapy in flap survival, including the various methods employed to transplant plasmids or viruses capable of coding and producing growth factors in ischemic tissue © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Obtaining mice that carry human mitochondrial DNA transmitted to the progeny
Authors: Sokolova Vassilina A. , Kustova Maria E. , Arbuzova Natalia I. , Sorokin Alexander V. , Moskaliova Olesya S. , Bass Mikhail G. , Vasilyev Vadim B. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractTo study human diseases associated with mutations in mitochondrial DNA one needs an animal model in which the distribution of abnormal mtDNA and its impact on the phenotype might be followed. We isolated human mitochondria from HepG2 cell culture and microinjected them into murine zygotes, upon which those were transplanted to the pseudopregnant mice. PCR with species‐specific primers allowed detecting human mtDNA in the tissues of 7–13‐day embryos. No serious alterations in the development of transmitochondrial embryos were noticed. Among various organs/tissues of the 13‐day embryos, human mtDNA was detected only in the heart, skeletal muscles, and stomach, which is in line with its uneven distribution among the blastomeres of an early mouse embryo that we described previously. In four recipient females, the microinjected zygotes were allowed to develop to term, the four neonate males of their joint litter were sacrificed, and in three of them human mtDNA was detected in the heart, skeletal muscles, stomach, brain, testes, and bladder. Six females of that joint litter were grown and mated to intact males. In the progeny (F1) of one of the females two mice were carrying human mtDNA in the heart, skeletal muscles, stomach, brain, lungs, uterus, ovaries, and kidneys. The study confirms the possibility to obtain transmitochondrial mice carrying human mtDNA that is transmitted to the animals of the next generation. Our results also indicate that among the organs to which human mtDNA is distributed some are more likely to receive it than others. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 68: 299–307, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The birth of the finite element method and of computational mechanics
Authors: Zienkiewicz O. C. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractThis brief paper attempts to indicate the motivation which led to the development of the finite element method by engineers and shows how later this became integrated with various current mathematical procedures. In the opinion of the writer, the broad definition of finite elements today includes all the known procedures of approximation for solving partial differential equations and allows the users to include a variety of methods which are mathematically acceptable. Copyright 2004 © John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.