bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Is the daunting challenge of irrigation achievable?
Authors: Plusquellec Herve 
Published: October 2002

AbstractThe projections of food and water demand for 2025, which conclude that irrigated areas should increase by 15 to 22%, assume that the productivity of present irrigation should also increase at unprecedented rates. This paper discusses some of the reasons why the contribution of irrigated agriculture to food and fiber production has continued to increase despite the lower level of investments for developing new irrigable areas and the focus on rehabilitation of existing schemes. The shortages of food production projected for the 1990s have been averted because of the explosive exploitation of groundwater and the many‐fold increase in water‐saving application techniques over the last three decades. However, overexploitation of aquifers and an associated decline in water quality have been occurring in many parts of the developing and developed world, particularly in the semiarid regions. This paper suggests that no further complacency in addressing the long due issue of the poor management practices of the large irrigation systems is acceptable. The failures to understand the links between the technical improvements of the large surface irrigation schemes and required reforms may exacerbate the problem of water scarcity and threaten food security in the future. Development of reliable irrigation in surface systems is crucial to realizing the challenge of irrigation. The magnitude of investments and capacity building in human resources to achieve this goal is likely underestimated. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Interaction of fibrinogen with surfaces of end‐group‐modified polyurethanes: A surface‐specific sum‐frequency‐generation vibrational spectroscopy study
Authors: Chen Zhan , Ward Robert , Tian Yuan , Malizia Fedrica , Gracias David H. , Shen Y. R. , Somorjai Gabor A. 
Published: October 2002

AbstractFibrinogen adsorption on polyurethanes with different surface‐modifying end groups (SMEs) has been studied with sum‐frequency‐generation vibrational spectroscopy (SFG). The results show very different protein adsorption properties for different SMEs on the same backbone polymer. Fibrinogen binds weakly on the hydrophilic backbone of a poly(dimethyl siloxane) (PDMS)‐modified polyurethane surface but leaves the hydrophobic PDMS part untouched. On sulfonate end‐group‐modified (SO) polyurethane surfaces, fibrinogen adsorbs well. However, on poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO)‐modified surfaces, it adsorbs poorly. The protein‐resistant character of PEO is probably due to steric repulsion. This work demonstrates the utility of SFG in the study of protein adsorption on polymeric biomaterials at the molecular level and the ability of SMEs to mediate protein adsorption. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res 62: 254–264, 2002
Activation of caspase 3 during shear stress‐induced neutrophil apoptosis on biomaterials
Authors: Shive Matthew S. , Brodbeck William G. , Anderson James M. 
Published: October 2002

AbstractWithin the complex environment of an implanted cardiovascular device comprised of dynamic flow and foreign materials, phagocytic neutrophils may be ineffective in combating infection due to cellular responses to shear stress. This may be explained, in part, by our recent reports of apoptosis of biomaterial‐adherent leukocytes induced through exposure to shear stress. Here we utilize a rotating disk system to generate physiologically relevant shear stress levels (0–18 dynes/cm2) at the surface of a polyetherurethane urea (PEUU) and investigate neutrophil intracellular pathways involved in shear‐induced apoptosis. In situ detection of activated caspases, the enzymatic mediators of the apoptosis cascade, showed qualitatively that these proteases participate in shear‐induced apoptosis and are activated in a shear‐dependent manner. The involvement of caspase 3 was confirmed through immunoprecipitation and immunoblotting of extracted neutrophil proteins. Comparative studies with neutrophils adherent under static conditions demonstrated time‐dependent activation of caspases in TNF‐α/cycloheximide‐induced apoptosis, for which caspase‐3 also was implicated. These findings are the first steps toward elucidation of the mechanisms behind the inappropriate induction of apoptosis by adhesion to biomaterials, which may contribute to the development and persistence of device‐related infections. ©2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res 62: 163–168, 2002
Thermal property and processability of elastomeric polymer alloy composed of segmented polyurethane and phospholipid polymer
Authors: Ogawa Ryo , Iwasaki Yasuhiko , Ishihara Kazuhiko 
Published: October 2002

AbstractTo develop a thermoplastic elastomer with high blood compatibility, a 2‐methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC) polymer was blended with the segmented polyurethane (SPU) for preparing the polymer alloy. A tensile strength measurement was carried out to evaluate its mechanical strength. The mechanical strength of the SPU/MPC polymer alloy is the same as that of the original SPU and sufficient for use in medical applications. The thermal properties of the polymer alloy were evaluated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The DSC curves indicated that the MPC polymer blended into the SPU did not affect the hard segment domain of the SPU. The SPU/MPC polymer alloy can be processed by heat treatment at 150°C. Even after heat treatment, the SPU/MPC polymer alloy showed good mechanical properties, and MPC units were observed on the surface. Protein adsorption from human plasma was observed to evaluate the blood compatibility of the polymer alloy. The SPU/MPC polymer alloy suppressed protein adsorption on the surface before and after the heat treatment. Based on these results, it is concluded that the SPU/MPC polymer alloy has an excellent potential for application in various medical devices. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res 62: 214–221, 2002
Synchronised therapy and high‐dose cyclophosphamide in proliferative lupus nephritis
Authors: Danieli Maria Giovanna , Palmieri Carla , Salvi Aldo , Refe Maria Cristina , Strusi Anna Stella , Danieli Giovanni 
Published: October 2002

AbstractThe aim of this open study was to compare the outcomes and side effects of plasmapheresis (PP) in patients with proliferative lupus nephritis treated with cyclophosphamide (Cyc) boluses. The study involved 28 consecutive patients. All of the patients met the ACR modified criteria for SLE and underwent a qualifying renal biopsy. In group I, patients were treated with synchronised therapy (PP, 50 ml/kg, followed by pulse Cyc, 750 mg/m2, repeated monthly for 6 months), whereas in group II, they were given only intermittent Cyc boluses (at the same dosage). The data were collected in the patients' records according to a standardised protocol. Patients were followed‐up for a mean of 4 years. The disease‐free survival was analysed using Kaplan‐Meier estimated survival curves ([S(t)]). At the end of the 6‐month treatment period, a statistically significant number of patients in group I (75%) was in complete remission in comparison to group II (31%) (P< 0.02), whereas at long‐term follow‐up, these percentages were similar (41% vs. 50%,P= n.s.). The main functional and immunological parameters showed a normalisation in both groups. The risk of a poor renal outcome significantly correlated with high serum creatinine levels at the onset of nephritis (P< 0.05). We documented a higher rate of infectious complications in group I. This study reports that synchronised therapy is useful in inducing a faster remission in patients with proliferative lupus nephritis. However, it is not superior to conventional therapy at long term follow‐up analysis. Positive results should be reinforced by a long‐term maintenance therapy. J. Clin. Apheresis 17:72–77, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Development‐dependent disappearance of caspase‐3 in skeletal muscle is post‐transcriptionally regulated
Authors: Ruest Louis‐Bruno , Khalyfa Abdelnaby , Wang Eugenia 
Published: October 2002

AbstractCaspase‐3, a major player in apoptosis, engages apoptosis‐activated cells into an irreversible pathway leading to cell death. In this article, we report that caspase‐3 protein is absent from rat and mouse adult skeletal muscles, despite the abundant presence of its mRNA. During skeletal muscle development, caspase‐3 protein is present in neonatal animals, but its expression gradually decreases, and disappears completely by 1 month of age, when there is still abundant caspase‐3 mRNA. This discordance between caspase‐3 message and protein expression is unique to skeletal muscle, as in all other analyzed tissues the protein presence correlates with the presence of the mRNA. The only circumstance in which caspase‐3 protein appears in adults is in regenerating muscles; once regeneration is complete, however, it again becomes undetectable in repaired muscles. We conclude that caspase‐3 protein in skeletal muscle is uniquely regulated at the post‐transcriptional level, unseen in other tissues such as brain, heart, lung, kidney, thymus, spleen, liver, or testis. The post‐transcriptional regulation of caspase‐3 might serve as a fail‐safe mechanism to avoid accidental cell death. J. Cell. Biochem. 86: 21–28, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Evidence implicating a mid‐region sequence of IGFBP‐3 in its specific IGF‐independent actions
Authors: Hollowood A.D. , Stewart C.E.H. , Perks C.M. , Pell J.M. , Lai T. , Alderson D. , Holly J.M.P. 
Published: October 2002

AbstractInsulin‐like growth factor binding protein‐3 (IGFBP‐3) is one of six high affinity‐binding proteins that share a common function in regulating the bioavailability of the insulin‐like growth factors. The six binding proteins have highly conserved C‐ and N‐terminals that are essential to this function. Additionally, they all have specific functions on cellular homeostasis independent to the regulation of the insulin‐like growth factors. It has previously been shown that insulin‐like growth factor binding protein‐3 can accentuate UV‐induced apoptosis in a human carcinoma cell line. Using the KYSE 190 oesophageal carcinoma cell line we have demonstrated that a 15 amino acid (aa) peptide that lies within the mid‐region of the protein can mimic the effect of the intact protein. This region contains the serine residues Ser111 and Ser113. Using two protocols, we modified these serine residues and have shown that both phosphorylation and derivatization of IGFBP‐3 can negate the accentuation of UV‐induced cell death. These three independent pieces of evidence support the hypothesis that the variable mid‐region is responsible for the specific pro‐apoptotic functions of IGFBP‐3, and suggest that phosphorylation may provide a mechanism for regulation of this action. J. Cell. Biochem. 86: 583–589, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effect of exogenous stress on the tissue‐cultured mouse lens epithelial cells
Authors: Bagchi Mihir , Katar Malkhan , Maisel H. 
Published: October 2002

AbstractThe effects of heat, oxidative and osmotic stress on heat shock proteins (HSP‐70(I), HSC‐70, and HSP‐40 of tissue cultured mouse lens epithelial cells (αTN‐4) were investigated. The effect of stress on the heat shock transcription factor (HSF‐1), and a nuclear matrix protein (NM‐60) of αTN‐4 cells was also examined. Cells were exposed to heat (45°C), oxidative stress (50 mM H202) and osmotic (600 mM medium) shock for 30 min, and then allowed to recover for 18 h in physiological medium. Control cells were maintained at 37°C in an isosmolar medium. Cellular proteins were isolated and fractionated by SDS–PAGE. Western blot was used to determine the levels of HSP and nuclear proteins. Heat stressed cells were also examined, by immunofluorescence, for the specific localization of NM‐60 and HSF‐1. The results revealed that both NM‐60 and HSF‐I were present in specific locations in normal and heat‐stressed cell nuclei. Nuclei isolated immediately after stress showed localization of fluorescence near the nuclear membrane. When heat stressed cells were allowed to recuperate at 37°C, most of the fluorescence were relocated in discrete areas of the nucleus. These experiments showed that αTN‐4 cells responded to stress by overexpression of HSP‐70(I) and HSP‐40. This increase was not present immediately after the end of the stress period, but clearly evident at 18 h of recovery in physiological medium. Immunofluorescent data suggest that heat stress induced the localization of NM‐60 and HSF‐1 near the nuclear membrane. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Ab initioprediction of helical segments in polypeptides
Authors: Klepeis J. L. , Floudas C. A. 
Published: October 2002

AbstractAnab initiomethod has been developed to predict helix formation for polypeptides. The approach relies on the systematic analysis of overlapping oligopeptides to determine the helical propensity for individual residues. Detailed atomistic level modeling, including entropic contributions, and solvation/ionization energies calculated through the solution of the Poisson–Boltzmann equation, is utilized. The calculation of probabilities for helix formation is based on the generation of ensembles of low energy conformers. The approach, which is easily amenable to parallelization, is shown to perform very well for several benchmark polypeptide systems, including the bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor, the immunoglobulin binding domain of protein G, the chymotrypsin inhibitor 2, the R69 N‐terminal domain of phage 434 repressor, and the wheat germ agglutinin. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem 23: 245–266, 2002
Conformational analysis: A new approach by means of chemometrics
Authors: Bruni Aline Thaís , Leite Vitor B. P. , Ferreira Márcia M. C. 
Published: October 2002

AbstractIn conformational analysis, the systematic search method completely maps the space but suffers from the combinatorial explosion problem because the number of conformations increases exponentially with the number of free rotation angles. This study introduces a new methodology of conformational analysis that controls the combinatorial explosion. It is based on a dimensional reduction of the system through the use of principal component analysis. The results are exactly the same as those obtained for the complete search but, in this case, the number of conformations increases only quadratically with the number of free rotation angles. The method is applied to a series of three drugs: omeprazole, pantoprazole, lansoprazole—benzimidazoles that suppress gastric‐acid secretion by means of H+, K+‐ATPase enzyme inhibition. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem 23: 222–236, 2002
Determination of the effective dielectric constant from the accurate solution of the Poisson equation
Authors: Vasilyev Vladislav 
Published: October 2002

AbstractConstant dielectric (CD) and distance‐dependent dielectric (DDD) functions are the most popular and widespread in the Molecular Mechanics simulations of large molecular systems. In this article, we present a simple procedure to derive an effective dielectric constant, εout,eff, for these two methods based on numerical solutions of the Poisson equation. It was found that because of the very approximate nature of the CD and DDD models there is no universal εout,eff, which will work equally well for all molecular systems. For example, different MD trajectories of the same molecule can produce different optimal εout,effs. The DDD function was found to yield better agreement with the numerical solutions of the Poisson equation than a CD model does. The reason is that a DDD function gives a better description of the electrostatic interactions at short distances between the atoms. Another interesting finding of this study is that under certain conditions εout,eff can take negative values for a system of two atoms at a limited distance range. However, in principle, there is nothing to prevent the εout,eff from taking negative values for specific conformations of some molecules. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem 23: 1254–1265, 2002
Viabilty of atomistic potentials for thermodynamic properties of carbon dioxide at low temperatures
Authors: Kuznetsova Tatyana , Kvamme Bjørn 
Published: October 2002

AbstractInvestigation into volumetric and energetic properties of several atomistic models mimicking carbon dioxide geometry and quadrupole momentum covered the liquid–vapor coexistence curve. Thermodynamic integration over a polynomial and an exponential‐polynomial path was used to calculate free energy. Computational results showed that model using GROMOS Lennard–Jones parameters was unsuitable for bulk CO2 simulations. On the other hand, model with potential fitted to reproduce only correct density–pressure relationship in the supercritical region proved to yield correct enthalpy of vaporization and free energy of liquid CO2 in the low‐temperature region. Except for molar volume at the upper part of the vapor–liquid equilibrium line, the bulk properties of exp‐6‐1 parametrization of ab initio CO2 potential were in a close agreement with the experimental results. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Comput Chem 22: 1772–1781, 2001
Using action research to facilitate change in child protection services
Authors: Seymour F.W. , Davies E. 
Published: October 2002

AbstractWe have been involved over several years in the planning and development of services for child abuse investigation and therapy, including the development of multiagency (“child advocacy”) centers and education for Court programs. Our roles have been in research, program evaluation, group facilitation, advocacy, and planning. The approach taken was that of “action research.” This approach allows for the collaboration of researchers, service providers, and clients in the analysis of a social problem and/or related social services. It also allows for the multiple roles demanded of the researcher in facilitation of change. In contrast to action research, the more common approaches of scientific inquiry and program evaluation assume a one‐way influence of science on practice, which may partially account for the low rates of utilization of research knowledge and low participation in research by practitioners. Action research is described, and contrasted with other approaches. Advantages and problems in action research are illustrated by reference to the child protection projects we are currently involved in. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Tachykinins and tachykinin receptors in bone
Authors: Goto Tetsuya , Tanaka Teruo 
Published: October 2002

AbstractTachykinins are neuropeptides that are widely distributed in the body and function as neurotransmitters and neuromodulators. Five tachykinin subtypes: substance P (SP), neurokinin A, neurokinin B, neuropeptide K, and neuropeptide γ; and three receptor subtypes: neurokinin‐1, ‐2, and ‐3 receptors, have been identified. SP was the first peptide of the tachykinin family to be identified. It is considered to be an important neuropeptide, and to function in the nervous system and intestine. However, recent advances in the analysis of SP receptors, particularly neurokinin‐1 receptors (NK1‐Rs) that have high affinity for SP, have demonstrated that NK1‐Rs are distributed not only in neurons and immune cells, but also in other peripheral cells, including bone cells. This article reviews the current understanding of the distribution of SP and other tachykinins in bone, and the function of tachykinins, through neurokinin receptors. The distribution of tachykinin‐immunoreactive axons and neurokinin receptors suggests that tachykinins may directly modulate bone metabolism through neurokinin receptors. Microsc. Res. Tech. 58:91–97, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Role of nerve growth factor in the olfactory system
Authors: Miwa Takaki , Moriizumi Tetsuji , Horikawa Isao , Uramoto Naoki , Ishimaru Tadashi , Nishimura Toshiro , Furukawa Mitsuru 
Published: October 2002

AbstractOlfactory neurons are unique in the mammalian nervous system because of their capacity to regenerate in adult animals. It has been shown that olfactory receptor cells located in the olfactory epithelium are replaced on a continuous basis and in response to injury throughout the life span of most species. NGF, which is one of the neurotrophic factors, is present in many areas of the central and peripheral nervous system. It has been shown that NGF in the olfactory bulb plays a role in the survival of cholinergic neurons in the horizontal limb of the diagonal band (HDB). Recent studies of NGF in the olfactory bulb suggest that it is involved in the development, maintenance, and regeneration of olfactory receptor cells. In this study, we review reports examining the relationship between NGF in the olfactory bulb and neuronal regeneration and development in the mammalian olfactory systems. Low‐ and high‐affinity NGF receptor immunoreactivity is markedly expressed during regeneration and at different stages of development in the mouse olfactory system. This level of immunoreactivity is no longer present after completion of regeneration and at maturation. Other findings indicate that NGF injected into the olfactory bulb is transported retrogradely to the olfactory epithelium. It has also been shown that continuous anti‐NGF antibody injection into the olfactory bulb causes degeneration and olfactory dysfunction. Administration of NGF directory into nasal cavity results in an increase in the expression of olfactory marker protein within the olfactory epithelium in axotomized rats. These findings suggested that the presence of NGF in the olfactory bulb plays an essential role in regeneration, maintenance, and development in the olfactory system of mammals. Microsc. Res. Tech. 58:197–203, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A facile preparation of (2,4,6‐14C)‐cyanuric acid under solvent‐free conditions
Authors: Patil S. P. , Padmanabhan D. 
Published: October 2002

Abstract(2,4,6‐14C)‐Cyanuric acid was prepared from 14C‐urea by the heterocyclization of the latter in the presence of ammonium chloride. This procedure involves solvent‐free fusing of the reactants in a vacuum sealed glass tube. The product was purified by ion‐exchange column chromatography using Sephadex SE C‐25. A radiochemical yield of 60.5% was obtained based on 14C‐urea and the product had a specific activity of 19.06 mCi/mmol. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Osteology and myology of the cephalic region and pectoral girdle of the Chinese catfish Cranoglanis bouderius, with a discussion on the autapomorphies and phylogenetic relationships of the Cranoglanididae (Teleostei: Siluriformes)
Authors: Diogo Rui , Chardon Michel , Vandewalle Pierre 
Published: October 2002

AbstractThe cephalic and pectoral girdle structures of the Chinese catfish Cranoglanis bouderius are described and compared with those of other catfishes as the foundation for an analysis on the Cranoglanididae autapomorphies and also for a discussion on the phylogenetic relationships between the cranoglanidids and the other catfishes. Our observations and comparisons indicate that cranoglanidids are defined, at least, by four autapomorphies, namely: 1) the cartilages associated with the mandibular barbels are broad, somewhat circular; 2) epioccipital with a well‐developed posterodorsal process, which presents a large, deep, circular posterior concavity; 3) a well‐defined, deep, anteroposteriorly elongated concavity formed by both the frontal and the lateral ethmoid to receive the anteromedial surface of the metapterygoid; 4) the adductor mandibulae A3″ is dorsally divided into two bundles and partially inserted on the posterior portion of the primordial ligament. With respect to the phylogenetic relationships of the Cranoglanididae, this study strongly suggests that these fishes are probably closely related to the Ariidae and the Claroteidae. J. Morphol. 253:229–242, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.