bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Myoclonus and generalized digestive dysmotility in triple A syndrome with AAAS gene mutation
Authors: Roubergue Anne , Apartis Emmanuelle , Vidailhet Marie , Mignot Cyril , Tullio‐Pelet Anna , Lyonnet Stanislas , De Villemeur Thierry Billette 
Published: March 2004

AbstractWe report on the case of a 25‐year‐old woman with triple A syndrome and gene mutation, who, during the long follow‐up period of 23 years, developed myoclonus of the face and the upper limbs (with normal brain magnetic resonance spectroscopy) and widespread digestive dysmotility, involving small bowels and gall bladder. These features, not previously described, illustrate an extension of the cerebral and digestive neurological involvement in this syndrome. © 2003 Movement Disorder Society
Asymmetrical awake bruxism associated with multiple system atrophy
Authors: Wali Gurusidheshwar M. 
Published: March 2004

AbstractWe describe a 51‐year‐old man who developed awake bruxism during the course of multiple system atrophy. Electromyographic studies revealed side‐to‐side amplitude asymmetry of the bursts of motor activity. The bruxism responded favourably to low‐dose levodopa–carbidopa therapy. Possible mechanisms of this rare association are discussed. © 2003 Movement Disorder Society
Autosomal recessive juvenile parkinsonism Cys212Tyr mutation in parkin renders lymphocytes susceptible to dopamine‐ and iron‐mediated apoptosis
Authors: Jimenez Del Rio Marlene , Moreno Sonia , Garcia‐Ospina Gloria , Buritica Omar , Uribe Carlos S. , Lopera Francisco , Velez‐Pardo Carlos 
Published: March 2004

AbstractMutations in parkin are implicated in the pathogenesis of autosomal recessive juvenile parkinsonism (AR‐JP) disease. We show that homozygote Cys212Tyr parkin mutation in AR‐JP patients renders lymphocytes sensitive to dopamine, iron and hydrogen peroxide stimuli. Indeed, dopamine‐induced apoptosis by four alternative mechanisms converging on caspase‐3 activation and apoptotic morphology: (1) NF‐κB‐dependent pathway; mitochondrial dysfunction either by (2) H2O2 or (3) hydroxyl exposure and (4) increase of unfolded–protein stress. We also demonstrate that 17β‐estradiol and testosterone prevent homozygote lymphocytes from oxidative stressors‐evoked apoptosis. These results may contribute to understanding the relationship between genetic and environmental factors and iron in AR‐JP. © 2003 Movement Disorder Society
Assessing quality of life in Parkinson's disease: Can a short‐form questionnaire be useful?
Authors: Katsarou Zoe , Bostantjopoulou Sevasti , Peto Viv , Kafantari Anna , Apostolidou Elizabeth , Peitsidou Eleni 
Published: March 2004

AbstractVarious instruments with good psychometric properties have been developed for the assessment of health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) in Parkinson's disease, (PD); however, in everyday practice a brief questionnaire is needed for quick screening of patients. We present the process of development and validation of the Greek version of PD questionnaire‐8 (PDQ‐8GrV), which is an 8‐item scale derived from a well‐known measure for the evaluation of HRQoL in PD, the PD questionnaire (PDQ‐39). PDQ‐8 GrV was applied to 228 nondemented Greek PD patients. Data from PDQ‐39 were also collected from these patients for comparisons between the total scores of the two scales. Detailed statistical analysis showed that PD‐8GrV has psychometric properties analogous to its parent questionnaire. © 2003 Movement Disorder Society
Chorea and contraceptives: Case report with pet study and review of the literature
Authors: Vela L. , Sfakianakis G.N. , Heros D. , Koller W. , Singer C. 
Published: March 2004

AbstractChorea is a well‐recognized but rare complication of oral contraceptive use. A 27‐year‐old woman developed right hemichorea while taking an oral contraceptive (OC). No other causes of chorea were found. A positron emission tomography (PET) study with 18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose demonstrated a dense focus of increased glucose metabolism involving the body of the left caudate nucleus. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a PET study in a patient with OC‐induced chorea in the absence of systemic lupus erythematosus or antiphospholipid antibodies. © 2003 Movement Disorder Society
Progressive supranuclear palsy: New disease or variant of postencephalitic parkinsonism?
Authors: Brusa Adolfo , Stoehr Rolf , Pramstaller Peter P. 
Published: March 2004

AbstractWe review the etiological importance of the epidemic encephalitis for progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) and addresses the question of whether the explosion of PSP literature in the mid‐20th century reflects the appearance of a new disease. We examined 2,000 studies on Parkinson's disease from 1861 to 1963 and found PSP‐like cases in the past, before the epidemic encephalitis era. It can be assumed that PSP is neither a new disease nor a variant of postencephalitic parkinsonism. © 2003 Movement Disorder Society
Objective assessment of motor slowness in Huntington's disease: Clinical correlates and 2‐year follow‐up
Authors: van Vugt Jeroen P.P. , Piet Karlijne K.E. , Vink Liesbeth J. , Siesling Sabine , Zwinderman Aeilko H. , Middelkoop Huub A.M. , Roos Raymund A.C. 
Published: March 2004

AbstractFunctional disability of patients with Huntington's disease (HD) is determined by impairment of voluntary motor function rather than the presence of chorea. However, only few attempts have been made to quantify this motor impairment. By using a simple reaction time paradigm, we measured the time needed for movement initiation (akinesia) and execution (bradykinesia) in 76 HD patients and 127 controls. Akinesia and bradykinesia were already evident in early stages and increased linearly with increasing disease stage. Quantified motor slowness correlated with clinical impairment of voluntary movements but also with cognitive impairment and medication use. In patients without severe cognitive impairment, quantified motor slowness reflected clinical motor impairment more purely. During 1.9 years follow‐up (range, 0.8–3.8 years), quantified akinesia and bradykinesia progressed concomitantly with progression of clinical impairment of voluntary movements, cognition, and functional capacity. However, rate of change in motor slowness did not discriminate between patients whose disease stage remained stable and those whose disease stage progressed. We conclude that the reaction time paradigm may be used to quantify akinesia and bradykinesia in HD, at least in patients without severe cognitive impairment. Although reaction and movement times increased in time, these measures failed to detect functionally important changes during our follow‐up period. © 2004 Movement Disorder Society
Factor structure of parkinsonian signs in the community‐dwelling elderly
Authors: Louis Elan D. , Tang Ming X. , Mayeux Richard 
Published: March 2004

AbstractParkinsonian signs are present in 40% of older people. Factor analysis of the motor section of the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) has identified several principal domains, including rigidity, axial function, and rest tremor. We hypothesized that if Parkinsonian signs in the elderly were due to basal ganglia dysfunction that this same constellation of factors (rigidity, axial function, rest tremor) would emerge in a factor analysis. We carried out factor analysis, using the principal component method with orthogonal (varimax) rotation, on motor UPDRS scores in community‐dwelling elderly without PD. A modified (10‐item) version of the motor portion of the UPDRS was administered to 1,339 older adults living in the Washington Heights‐Inwood community and it was found that Parkinsonian signs were present in 537 (40.1%). Three factors (rigidity, axial function. and rest tremor) were obtained from the factor analysis and, together, explained 67.4% of the variance. A second factor analysis was carried out excluding the 26 participants with rest tremor, and two factors (rigidity, axial function) emerged. These data support the view that Parkinsonian signs in older adults might be due to basal ganglia dysfunction, a possibility that requires further exploration. © 2004 Movement Disorder Society
Corticospinal excitability accompanying ballistic wrist movements in primary dystonia
Authors: MacKinnon Colum D. , Velickovic Miodrag , Drafta Cristina , Hesquijarosa Alexander , Brin Mitchell F. 
Published: March 2004

AbstractCurrent models of basal ganglia dysfunction in primary dystonia propose that the excessive muscle activity results from an increase in the excitability of the primary motor cortex. Neurophysiological and neuroimaging studies, however, have shown consistently reduced movement‐related sensorimotor cortical activity. To explore this paradox, we used transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to examine changes in corticospinal excitability preceding and during ballistic movements of the wrist in 9 patients with primary dystonia affecting the arm and 9 matched control subjects. The onset time, rate of rise, and duration of changes in the excitability of corticospinal projections to the agonist muscle were normal in the patients with dystonia. Increases in excitability were selective to the initial agonist muscle, suggesting that the spatial recruitment of corticospinal neurons was normal. Nonetheless, movements were slower in the patients by an average of 26%. The onset of the first agonist muscle burst was normal in magnitude and timing but the activity in this muscle subsequently became attenuated as movement progressed. Muscle activity in antagonist and proximal muscles of the upper arm was reduced significantly in the dystonia patients. These findings support the view that movement preparation and initiation at the level of the primary motor cortex is normal in patients with dystonia. Bradykinesia could not be attributed to co‐contraction or overflow of activity and was associated with reduced rather than excessive muscle activity. © 2004 Movement Disorder Society
Preparation of benzyl acetate using polyaniline salts as catalysts ‐ Part II
Authors: Amarnath C. A. , Palaniappan S. , Saravanan C. 
Published: March 2004

AbstractPolyaniline salts were prepared by oxidizing aniline in presence of acid using benzoyl peroxide as an oxidizing agent. Polyaniline salt was used as catalyst for the esterification reaction of phenyl acetic acid with methanol. The process is being reported for the first time. Preparation of catalyst, recovery and reusability of the catalyst were found to be good. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Transesterification of ketoesters with alcohols using polyaniline salts as catalysts
Authors: Palaniappan S. , Chandra Shekhar R. 
Published: March 2004

AbstractPolyaniline salts have been used as catalysts for the transesterification of ketoesters with alcohols in a process being reported for the first time. The catalytic use of polyaniline salts is feasible because of their easy preparation, recovery and reusability. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Influence of filler type and content on properties of styrene‐butadiene rubber (SBR) compound reinforced with carbon black or silica
Authors: Choi Sung‐Seen , Park Byung‐Ho , Song Hanjong 
Published: March 2004

AbstractRubber compounds are filled with reinforcing fillers to improve their physical properties. Carbon black and silica have different surface chemistries to each other. Differences in properties of carbon black‐ and silica‐reinforced styrene‐butadiene rubber (SBR) compounds were studied. Variation of properties of carbon black‐ or silica‐filled compounds with the filler content was also investigated. The silica‐filled compounds without any coupling agent and dispering agent were prepared to investigate the influence of polar materials‐adsorption on the silica surface. Viscosity and crosslink density increased with increase of the filler content. Hardness, modulus, tensile strength, and wear property were improved more and more by increasing the filler content. Viscosity of the silica‐filled compound was higher than that of the carbon black‐filled one. Cure rate of the silica‐filled compound became slower as the filler content increased, while that of the carbon black‐filled one became faster. Difference in properties between the carbon black‐ and silica‐filled compounds were explained by the poor silica dispersion and the adsorption of cure accelerator on the silica surface. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Polyimides reinforced with the sol‐gel derived organosilicon nanophase as low dielectric permittivity materials
Authors: Kramarenko Viktor Yu. , Shantalil Tetyana A. , Karpova Iryna L. , Dragan Kateryna S. , Privalko Eleonora G. , Privalko Valery P. , Fragiadakis Daniel , Pissis Polycarpos 
Published: March 2004

AbstractPolyimide (PI) nanocomposites prepared by thein situgeneration of crosslinked organosilicon nanophase (ON) through the sol‐gel process were characterized by densities, thermally stimulated depolarization currents and dielectric relaxation spectroscopy.Both a looser molecular packing of PI chain fragments adjacent to the ON and a loose inner structure of the spatial aggregates of ON were assumed to be responsible for a non‐additive decrease of the experimental values of dielectric permittivity for the nanocomposites. The pattern of composition dependence of the apparent dielectric permittivity of the ON suggested a probability of a morphological change around the composition PAAS/MTS = 100/16 (presumably, a sort of percolation transition from small‐size, individual clusters into large‐size, infinite clusters). Thus, PI reinforced with the sol‐gel derived nanophase may have a reasonably good potential as low dielectric permittivity materials. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Thermal behavior and network structure of poly(N‐vinyl‐2‐pyrrolidone‐crotonic acid) hydrogels prepared by radiation‐induced polymerization
Authors: Çaykara Tuncer , Kantoğlu Ömer 
Published: March 2004

AbstractPoly(N‐vinyl‐2‐pyrrolidone‐crotonic acid) [P(VP/CrA)] hydrogels were prepared by irradiating the ternary mixture of VP/CrA and crosslinking agent ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) in water by γ rays at ambient temperature. Differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis were performed to evaluate the thermal properties of ionized networks and to establish if they showed thermal differences that could be related to the CrA content in the gel system. The volume swelling ratio of P(VP/CrA) hydrogels were investigated as a function of the pH in the immersing solution. The volume swelling ratio of these hydrogels increased with an increase in pH and a decrease CrA content in the hydrogel. The volume swelling ratio of the hydrogels was also evaluated using an equation, based on the Flory—Huggins thermodynamic theory, the phantom network theory of James–Guth and Donnan theory of swelling of weakly charged ionic gels for determination of the molecular weight between crosslinks $(\bar{M}_{{\rm c}})$ and the polymer–solvent interaction parameter (χ). Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Benzoyl peroxide oxidation route to polyaniline salts—Part I
Authors: Palaniappan S. 
Published: March 2004

AbstractAniline was oxidized to polyaniline salt using benzoyl peroxide as an oxidizing agent in the presence of acids such as sulfuric, nitric, or hydrochloric acid by aqueous polymerization pathway. Polyaniline salts, their corresponding bases and redoped polyaniline salts were characterized by infrared, electronic absorption, x‐ray diffraction spectral techniques, elemental analysis and conductivity measurement. The result of this study indicates that both acid and surfactant group are present in the polyaniline salt as dopants. Polyaniline salts with reasonable yield (around 80%) and conductivity (0.04 S/cm) were prepared. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Litigation and the diabetic foot
Authors: Bending JJ , Foster AVM 
Published: March 2004

AbstractA large number of patients with diabetes are managed in the community and this situation is likely to continue and the numbers increase. People with diabetes face a greatly increased risk of amputation – an event which may be followed by anger directed at those health professionals involved, among whom community podiatrists appear especially at risk of blame. The reasons for this, the issues which need to be addressed and the ways in which patients can be helped to come to terms with such a catastrophe are discussed. People with diabetes foot problems require multidisciplinary specialist team care. It is unacceptable for high‐risk diabetic patients to be treated in isolation. We suggest clear referral guidelines and care pathways which should be developed, understood and followed by each primary care trust. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Treading with care: foot care, litigation and the expert witness
Authors: Foster JAS 
Published: March 2004

AbstractThis is a practical introduction to acting as an expert witness. The expert's report is an integral part of all litigation concerning allegations of professional negligence. A well‐written report, embodying principles of sound academic research, is less likely to be challenged in court than a badly‐prepared one. An expert should not hesitate to question his terms of reference if they are unclear or require widening. It is crucial to remember that the report is written for the benefit of the court, not the instructing party. In the witness box, the oath to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth is paramount. It should be assumed that the Judge can grasp difficult medical concepts but may require fuller explanation than a fellow medical practitioner. It is important to answer the question that has been asked – but it is in order to disagree with a false premise. Appropriate concessions are more likely to impress the court than posturing. Each question should be treated on its merits.In conclusion, the role of the expert witness is demanding but application of these principles should make it a less daunting experience. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fatal necrotising fasciitis after PEG insertion in a patient with diabetes
Authors: Kumar R , Fisher M 
Published: March 2004

AbstractPercutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is the preferred method of long‐term enteral feeding in patients with a functioning gastrointestinal tract who cannot take food by mouth and have a reasonably long life expectancy. It is generally a safe procedure associated with a low morbidity and mortality and can be performed relatively easily with a low complication rate. We present the case of a 46‐year‐old lady with a long history of poorly controlled complicated diabetes who developed fatal necrotising fasciitis as a complication of PEG insertion. Necrotising fasciitis is a serious infection of soft tissues, which is caused by a mixed growth of aerobic and anaerobic organisms and carries a high mortality. The infection is particularly common in patients with diabetes. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Optimized conditions for the grafting reaction of poly(methyl acrylate) onto rubberwood fiber
Authors: Abu‐Ilaiwi Faraj A , Ahmad Mansor B , Ibrahim Nor Azowa , Ab Rahman Mohamad Zaki , Dahlan Khairul Zaman Md , Zin Wan Yunus Wan Md 
Published: March 2004

AbstractGraft copolymerization of poly(methyl acrylate) (PMA) onto rubberwood fiber (RWF) was carried out by free radical initiation. Hydrogen peroxide and ferrous ions were used as an initiator system. Effects of various parameters (reaction temperature and reaction time, as well as hydrogen peroxide, ferrous ammonium sulfate and monomer concentrations) on the grafting percentage were investigated. A high percentage of grafting was achieved when optimum reaction conditions were used. The optimum temperature of the reaction was determined to be about 55 °C and the reaction time was 120 min. The optimum concentration of H2O2 was 0.03 M and the amounts of Fe2+ and MA were 0.4 mmol and 0.05 mol, respectively. The PMA homopolymer was removed from the graft copolymer by Soxhlet extraction using acetone. The presence of PMA on the fiber was confirmed by FT‐IR spectroscopy and gravimetry. The surface morphology of the poly(methyl acrylate)‐graft‐(rubberwood fiber) was studied by means of scanning electron microscopy. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry
A processing‐induced clay dispersion and its effect on the structure and properties of polyamide 6
Authors: Liu Tianxi , Tjiu Wuiwui Chauhari , He Chaobin , Na Siew Siew , Chung Tai‐Shung 
Published: March 2004

AbstractThe nanostructures and morphologies of polyamide 6 (PA6)/organoclay nanocomposites prepared by melt compounding have been studied by using X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). A combination of XRD and TEM indicates that an exfoliated clay morphology dominates at low clay loadings (≤5 wt%) and a mixture of intercalated and exfoliated structures exists at high clay concentrations. It is worth noting, however, that optical microscopy (OM) even shows the presence of large clay agglomerates in samples with higher clay contents. OM images further present an overview of an uneven clay distribution due to the effect of injection molding. The crystalline structure of PA6 is greatly affected by this unevenness in the processing‐induced clay dispersion, as evidenced by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The thermal dynamic and mechanical properties of PA6 and the nanocomposites have been investigated as a function of clay concentration. The tensile tests show that the degree of dispersion of the nanoclay within the polymer matrix plays a vital role in property improvement. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry
Diffusion of a carbonate mixture in a poly(vinyl alcohol‐co‐vinyl acetate) in the solid state
Authors: Becquart Frédéric , Taha Mohamed , Zerroukhi Amar , Kaczun Jürgen , Stebani Uwe 
Published: March 2004

AbstractThe diffusion study of a carbonate mixture composed of ethylene and propylene carbonates in poly(vinyl alcohol‐co‐vinyl acetate) (PVA–Ac) was studied. The diffusion occurred in the solid state and the effect of the carbonate mixture on the PVA–Ac properties are presented as well as the homogeneity of the diffusion. Due to the complexity of the diffusion kinetics with temperature, a model was made using the free volume theory at 75 °C. This temperature was chosen for modelling because the physical properties of the polymer are relatively stable at this point. Swelling heterogeneity, due to the particle size distribution of the powder, were estimated. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry
Synthesis and characterization of amphiphilic graft copolymers with poly(ethylene glycol) and cholesterol side chains
Authors: Chern Chorng‐Shyan , Chiu Hsin‐Cheng , Chuang Yi‐Ching 
Published: March 2004

AbstractAmphiphilic graft copolymers comprising monomeric units of methoxy poly(ethylene glycol) (mPEG)‐acrylate, 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA)–cholesterol conjugates and HEMA were synthesized and their properties characterized. The value of the critical micelle concentration (CMC) for these copolymers is linearly proportional to the ratio of the number of mPEG–acrylates to that of the HEMA–cholesterol conjugates per macromolecule (NPEG/Nc), which is the most important parameter which influences the formation of polymeric micelles. The latter show excellent colloidal stability and their sizes decrease with increasing CMC. Based on the quenching of pyrene fluorescence, the relatively high levels of the loading capacity of pyrene are attributed to the elevated hydrophobicity of the micelle core. The loading capacity of pyrene decreases with increasing CMC. The weight‐average partition coefficient for pyrene in polymeric micelles increases with increasing polymer concentration because more micelles are available for accommodating pyrene. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry