bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Water/ethanol pervaporation performance of asymmetric polyelectrolyte complex membrane constructed by the diffusion of poly(acrylic acid) in chitosan membrane
Authors: Iwatsubo Takashi , Kusumocahyo Samuel P. , Shinbo Toshio 
Published: October 2002

AbstractAsymmetric polyelectrolyte complex (PEC) membranes composed of chitosan membrane and absorbed poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) were constructed. Absorption and therefore PEC formation were performed by bringing a chitosan membrane into contact with a PAA aqueous solution. The mean molecular weight (MW) of PAA employed was 5,000, 25,000 or 250,000. Absorption of PAA and asymmetry of PEC membranes were confirmed and evaluated by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra and electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis (ESCA). The absorption quantity of PAA decreased while the water selectivity of the PEC membrane increased with an increase in the MW of constituent PAA. In a pervaporation experiment, the water selectivity of the membrane was so high that no ethanol was detected by gas chromatography (GC). Such selectivity was attained by just a small quantity of PEC formation at the surface of the chitosan membrane. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 86: 265–271, 2002
Structure development during dry–jet–wet spinning of acrylonitrile/vinyl acids and acrylonitrile/methyl acrylate copolymers
Authors: Bajaj P. , Sreekumar T. V. , Sen K. 
Published: October 2002

AbstractDry–jet–wet spinning of three copolymers, poly(acrylonitrile/methyl acrylate), poly(acrylonitrile/methacrylic acid), and poly(acrylonitrile/itaconic acid), was performed with a dimethylformamide/water (60:40 v/v) coagulation bath at different temperatures (10–40°C). The fibers were stretched to different levels (1.1–6×) in boiling water, collapsed, and annealed over a heater plate at 130°C. The effects of the polymer composition, coagulation bath temperature, and draw ratio on the cross‐sectional morphology, structure, and tensile properties are reported. The cross‐sectional shape of the gel fibers underwent a transition from a kidney shape to an oval shape, and macrovoids began to appear at higher temperatures. However, F(AN/IA) gel fibers changed from a kidney shape to an irregular shoe type with a gel network of interconnected polymer fibrils. For F(AN/MAA) gel fibers, the diameter increased from 45 to 67 μm when the coagulation bath temperature was increased from 10 to 40°C, and the denier value decreased from 17.5 to 14.3 den/filament. The strength, modulus, and elongation at break decreased with an increase in the coagulation bath temperature. For F(AN/MAA) fibers coagulated at 10°C in a spin bath, the strength increased from 0.43 to 2.213 g/den, the modulus increased from 27 to 76 g/den, and the density increased from 1.177 to 1.196 g cm−3 when the gel fibers were drawn to 6×. However, 6× drawn F(AN/MA) fibers had a higher strength (3.1 g/den) and elongation (14.6%) in a 40°C coagulation bath. F(AN/IA) fibers could be drawn only to a draw ratio of 4× instead of the 6× draw ratio for F(AN/MAA) and F(AN/MA) fibers. Therefore, the final F(AN/IA) fibers exhibited poor mechanical properties (tenacity = 0.81 g/den, modulus = 22 g/den, and elongation at break = 8%). The crystallinity did not change significantly (χc = 61–63%) with the draw ratio, but the crystal size increased from 22.9 to 43.4 Å and orientation factor from 0.41 to 0.78. The dichroic ratio, measured with Fourier transform infrared, decreased with an increase in the draw ratio, but the sonic modulus and crystalline orientation values increased with an increase in the draw ratio. Thermomechanical data show a maximum physical shrinkage of 51.7% for 6× drawn F(AN/MA) and a minimum physical shrinkage of 30.5% for 4× drawn F(AN/IA) fibers. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 86: 773–787, 2002
Starch derivatives of a high degree of functionalization. VI. Multistep carboxymethylation
Authors: Lazik W. , Heinze Th. , Pfeiffer K. , Albrecht G. , Mischnick P. 
Published: October 2002

AbstractFor the first time, carboxymethyl starch (CMS) samples with a very high degree of substitution (DSCM = 2.1) were synthesized by multistep carboxymethylation under heterogeneous reaction conditions in methanol/water with sodium hydroxide and monochloroacetic acid as an etherifying agent. The stepwise increase in the total DSCM value gradually decreased with an increasing DSCM value of the starting polymer. The determination of the functionalization pattern of CMS by 1H‐NMR spectroscopy after chain degradation indicated a high preference for 2‐O‐substitution. The distribution of the carboxymethyl functions was in the order O‐2 ≫ O‐6 > O‐3. A detailed analysis of the depolymerized sample by means of high‐performance liquid chromatography and capillary electrophoresis revealed a monomer composition that was in very good agreement with the statistical model of Spurlin. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 86: 743–752, 2002
Degradation studies of LDPE–Mater‐Bi blends annealed and aged in soil
Authors: Vallés‐Lluch A. , Contat‐Rodrigo L. , Ribes‐Greus A. 
Published: October 2002

AbstractBlends of low‐density polyethylene (LDPE) and a commercial biodegradable material commonly used as an additive, Mater‐Bi AF05H, were subjected to thermal treatment followed by an accelerated soil burial test in a culture oven. The effect of the degradation process on the structural and morphological properties of the samples was studied by differential scanning calorimetry and dynamic mechanical thermal analysis. The morphological properties studied in this work were the melting temperature, the crystalline content, and the lamellar thickness distribution. The αI relaxation zone of the mechanical spectra was characterized in terms of tan δ and the αII and β relaxations were characterized in terms of E″ according to the Fuoss–Kirkwood equation and using a deconvolution method. It was found that the thermal treatment rearranges the crystallites in the crystalline phase and promotes a segregation of the crystallite sizes. However, the annealing seems rather to hinder than to improve the degradation of the samples. Moreover, the degradation process in the blends apparently starts in the Mater‐Bi. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 86: 405–413, 2002
Effect of PMR‐POI on the melt behavior and isothermal crystallization of poly(phenylene sulfide)
Authors: Lai Mingfang , Yang Huili , Luan Yucheng , Yang Yuming , Liu Jingjiang 
Published: October 2002

AbstractThe crystallization behavior of neat PPS and PPS in blends with PMR‐POI prepared by melt mixing were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). It was found that POI was an effective nucleation agent of the crystallization for PPS. The enthalpy of crystallization of PPS in the blends increased compared with that of neat PPS. During isothermal crystallization from melt, the dependence of relative degree of crystallinity on time was described by the Avrami equation. It has been shown that the addition of POI causes an increase in the overall crystallization rate of PPS; it also changed the mechanism of nucleation of the PHB crystals from homogeneous nucleation to heterogeneous nucleation. The equilibrium melting temperature of PPS and PPS/POI blends were determined. The analysis of kinetic data according to nucleation theories shows that the increase in crystallization rate of PPS in the composite is due to the decrease in surface energy of the extremity surface. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 86: 436–442, 2002
Claudin localization in cilia of the retinal pigment epithelium
Authors: Nishiyama Kazutoshi , Sakaguchi Hirokazu , Hu Jane G. , Bok Dean , Hollyfield Joe G. 
Published: October 2002

AbstractUsing immunocytochemistry and confocal microscopy we demonstrate that claudin‐immunoreactivity is a novel marker for retinal pigment epithelial cilia. Claudin‐immunoreactivity obtained by polyclonal anti‐claudin 1 antibody, which could crossreact with claudin 3, was colocalized with acetylated tubulin‐immunoreactivity in cultured human retinal pigment epithelial cells. Claudin‐immunoreactivity associated with the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cilia was more intense than was claudin‐immunoreactivity in the junctional complex. Approximately two‐thirds of the RPE cells in the rat contain cilia that are immunoreactive with acetylated tubulin on postnatal day 1, and a significant portion of these cilia label with the anti‐claudin 1 antibody. Cilia decrease in frequency over subsequent postnatal days, and are absent by postnatal day 30. As RPE cilia decrease in number during postnatal rat development, claudin‐immunoreactivity is lost earlier than acetylated tubulin, suggesting that the loss of claudin may initiate RPE cilium degeneration. Claudin‐immunoreactivity was not evident in cilia of photoreceptor cells, epithelia of nasal mucosa, small intestine, or colon, suggesting that claudin may be a unique molecule in RPE cilia. These data suggest that cilia of the RPE, unlike cilia on other cell types, contain claudin, and that this molecule may play an important and specific role in the function and/or maintenance of RPE cilia. Anat Rec 267:196–203, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Morphological characteristics of the vomeronasal organ of the newborn Asian elephant (Elephas maximus)
Authors: Johnson Edward W. , Rasmussen Lel 
Published: October 2002

AbstractThe 6‐week‐old Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) has a well‐documented precocious flehmen response to pheromones, suggesting that the pheromone‐detecting vomeronasal organ (VNO) is functional very early in the life of this species. To further document this, the VNOs of two newborn elephants were examined in situ and analyzed by light microscopy (LM) to ascertain their structural maturity at birth. A tubular, cartilage‐encased VNO was located along the anterior base of each side of the nasal septum. Its rostral end was connected to a duct to the roof of the mouth; the caudal end was attached to a well‐defined vomeronasal nerve projecting toward the brain. LM revealed distinctive differences in the mucosae bordering the horseshoe‐shaped lumen: a concave, sensory mucosa, and a convex, nonsensory mucosa. Small groups of receptor neurons were observed among ciliated columnar cells in the sensory epithelium. Numerous unmyelinated nerve bundles and blood vessels filled the underlying lamina propria (LP) and a small section of the vomeronasal nerve was conspicuous at one edge. The nonsensory mucosa manifested a thinner epithelium that principally consisted of ciliated columnar cells, some of which showed a granular cytoplasm, and a conspicuous row of basal cells. The LP was replete with acinar glands and ducts that opened into the lumen. This study shows that the VNO of the newborn elephant has reached an advanced stage of structural maturity, closely resembling that of the adult. Its composition supports the view that flehmen at 6 weeks delivers pheromones to a functional VNO. Anat Rec 267:252–259, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Material properties of the inner and outer cortical tables of the human parietal bone
Authors: Peterson Jill , Dechow Paul C. 
Published: October 2002

AbstractEven though the cranial vault functions as protection for the brain and as a support structure for facial and masticatory functions, little is known about its mechanical properties or their variations. The cranial vault bone is interesting because of its maintenance in spite of low functional strains, and because calvarial bone cells are often used in cell culture studies. We measured thickness, density, and ash weight, and ultrasonically determined elastic properties throughout the cortices of 10 human parietal bones. The results are unique for studies of the cranial vault because: 1) measurements focused specifically on the cortical components, 2) the orientations of the axes of maximum stiffness were determined before measurement of elastic properties, and 3) two related measurements (bone density and percent ash weight) were compared. Results showed that the periosteal cortical plate (outer table) and the endosteal cortical plate (inner table) had significant differences in material properties. The outer table was on average thicker, denser, and stiffer than the inner table, which had a higher ash weight percentage. Within each table there were significant differences in thicknesses, ash weight percentages, and E2/E3 anisotropies among sites. Few sites on either table had significant orientations of the axes of maximum stiffness. Despite this apparent randomness in orientation, almost all sites exhibited anisotropies equivalent to other parts of the skeleton. Anat Rec 268:7–15, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Analysis of involvement of the 3′‐untranslated regions in regulating mRNA stability for vitellogenin, cyanoprotein α, and cyanoprotein β from the bean bug, Riptortus clavatus
Authors: Wojtasek Hubert , Miura Ken , Shinoda Tetsuro , Chinzei Yasuo 
Published: October 2002

AbstractThe degradation of the 3′‐untranslated regions (UTRs) of vitellogenin, cyanoprotein α, and cyanoprotein β from the bean bug, Riptortus clavatus, was analyzed in vitro. The degradation pattern was similar for all three RNAs, with a high degradation rate in non‐diapausing adult insects and no degradation in the fifth instar nymphs and in diapausing adults, and was not correlated with the expression levels of these three proteins. Proteins binding to the 3′‐UTRs were detected in polysomal and cytosolic extracts. These factors, however, were present in all developmental stages. The abundance of the polysomal factor showed little variation, but the cytosolic factor was enriched in adult insects. Cross‐competition experiments demonstrated that the same factors bound to all three RNAs with similar affinity. The pattern of degradation, presence of the binding factors in all stages, and their inability to distinguish between the target sequences indicate that the 3′‐UTRs do not participate in controlling the expression of these three proteins. Arch. Insect Biochem. Physiol. 51:27–36, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Ground‐penetrating radar and magnetic survey to the west of Al‐Zayyan Temple, Kharga Oasis, Al‐Wadi Al‐Jadeed (New Valley), Egypt
Authors: Kamei Hiroyuki , Atya Magdy Ahmed , Abdallatif Tareq Fahmy , Mori Masato , Hemthavy Pasomphone 
Published: October 2002

AbstractAl‐Zayyan Temple or Qasr Al‐Zayyan might be regarded as one in a chain of several fortresses that the Romans built to secure the salver's trade caravan route between Asyut and Sudan, known as Darb Al‐Arbain. Al‐Zayyan temple lies about 25 km south of Al‐Kharga city, the capital of the New Valley, and deviates to the east of Al‐Kharga‐Paris main road some 2 km along the Al‐Zayyan‐Aarif minor road. The background information about the temple is very scarce, and even what is known is neither clear nor accurate. Some indications have ascribed it to Amenebis and that it was restored during the reign of Emperor Antoninus (AD 138–161). An integrated ground‐penetrating radar (GPR)survey using the SIR 2000 Geophysical Survey Systems, Inc. (GSSI) together with magnetic survey using FM36 (GeoScan) and the three component fluxgate gradiometer TRM‐70D (Tokin) have been applied to the western side of the temple. The results show relatively large‐scale buried structures in a direction intersecting that of the present temple at about 45°. Some particular features within the structure have been speculatively ascribed on the basis of comprehending their signatures in the GPR sections. The magnetic results have improved the identification of some objects revealed by the GPR and provided ideas about some of the other features. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Protoporphyrin IX photodynamic therapy for synovitis
Authors: Kirdaite Gailute , Lange Norbert , Busso Nathalie , Van Den Bergh Hubert , Kucera Pavel , So Alexander 
Published: October 2002

AbstractObjectiveTo determine the conditions for synovial accumulation of protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) and photodynamic therapy (PDT)–induced synovial cytotoxicity in vitro and in vivo.MethodsSynovial tissues were obtained from mice with antigen‐induced arthritis (AIA) and incubated with different concentrations of 5‐aminolevulinic acid hexyl ester (h‐ALA), a PpIX precursor. Following photoexcitation, cell death in synovial tissues was evaluated by Sytox green fluorescence. PDT was performed after intraarticular injection of h‐ALA into the knee joints of mice with AIA, and its effect on joint inflammation was assessed by technetium scintigraphy and histology. Synovial biopsy samples were obtained from patients with osteoarthritis (OA; n = 9) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA; n = 7) and studied for PDT‐induced cytotoxicity in vitro.ResultsConversion of h‐ALA to PpIX was observed in inflamed synovium in mice and humans. Cytotoxicity was confirmed by Sytox green staining in samples subjected to PDT. In the AIA model, injection of affected knees with h‐ALA prior to PDT led to a statistically significant reduction of joint damage in the irradiated joints. The preferential transformation of h‐ALA to PpIX in inflammatory tissues was confirmed in human synovial biopsy tissues, where RA samples showed higher tissue concentrations of PpIX following incubation with h‐ALA than did OA samples. Fluorescence microscopy showed that PpIX was localized to the synovial lining layer, endothelial cells, and macrophages and induced cell death after PDT.ConclusionOur findings suggest that PDT based on the accumulation of PpIX in the synovial membrane may be a rational basis for photodynamic synovectomy in arthritic diseases.
Long‐term risk of mortality and lymphoproliferative disease and predictive classification of primary Sjögren's syndrome
Authors: Ioannidis John P. A. , Vassiliou Vassilios A. , Moutsopoulos Haralampos M. 
Published: October 2002

AbstractObjectivePrimary Sjögren's syndrome (SS) may lead to lymphoproliferative disease (LPD) and death in certain patients. We sought to determine the incidence and predictors of adverse long‐term outcomes to achieve a rational predictive classification of the syndrome.MethodsPredictive modeling was performed in a cohort of 723 consecutive patients with primary SS (587 newly diagnosed [incident] cases and 136 prevalent cases).ResultsDuring 4,384 person‐years of followup, we recorded 39 deaths (7 due to lymphoma) and 38 diagnoses of LPD. The standardized mortality ratio was 1.15 (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 0.86–1.73) compared with the general population of Greece. In incident cases, the probability of LPD was 2.6% at 5 years and 3.9% at 10 years. Mortality rates were significantly higher in patients with low C4 levels at the first study visit (hazard ratio [HR] 4.39, 95% CI 2.18–8.83). LPD was independently predicted by the presence of parotid enlargement (HR 5.21, 95% CI 1.76–15.4), palpable purpura (HR 4.16, 95% CI 1.65–10.5), and low C4 levels (HR 2.40, 95% CI 0.99–5.83) at the first study visit. All patients who eventually developed lymphoma resulting in death during the followup period had either low C4 levels or palpable purpura at the first study visit. Training‐validation split‐cohort modeling confirmed the predictive importance of low C4 levels and palpable purpura, both of which were present in 20.9% of patients at their first visit.ConclusionsIn patients with primary SS, 1 in 5 deaths is attributable to lymphoma. The presence of palpable purpura and low C4 levels at the first visit adequately distinguishes high‐risk patients (type I primary SS) from patients with an uncomplicated disease course (type II [low‐risk] primary SS).
Analysis of the function, expression, and subcellular distribution of human tristetraprolin
Authors: Brooks Seth A. , Connolly John E. , Diegel Roger J. , Fava Roy A. , Rigby William F. C. 
Published: October 2002

AbstractObjectiveThe zinc‐finger protein tristetraprolin (TTP) has been demonstrated to regulate tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) messenger RNA (mRNA) instability in murine macrophages. We sought to develop a model system to characterize the effects of human TTP (hTTP) on TNFα 3′‐untranslated region (3′‐UTR)‐mediated expression. We also generated a specific polyclonal antibody against hTTP that enabled the examination of the subcellular distribution of hTTP and its RNA binding in vivo.MethodsTransfection of reporter gene constructs were used to functionally characterize the role of hTTP in regulating TNFα expression in a 3′‐UTR‐dependent manner. An immunoprecipitation reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction technique, immunoblotting, immunocytochemistry, and sucrose density fractionation were used to identify and localize hTTP.ResultsWe found that hTTP interacted with human TNFα mRNA in the cytoplasm. The presence of the TNFα 3′‐UTR was sufficient to confer binding by TTP in vivo. This interaction resulted in reduced luciferase reporter gene activity in a TNFα 3′‐UTR adenine‐uridine‐rich element (ARE)‐dependent manner. Immunoblotting and immunocytochemistry indicated that endogenous and transfected hTTP localized to the cytoplasm. Results of sucrose density fractionation studies were consistent with a polysomal location of hTTP. In rheumatoid synovium, hTTP expression was restricted to cells in the synovial lining layers.ConclusionThrough the development of an antiserum specific for hTTP, we have been able to demonstrate that hTTP binds specifically to the TNFα 3′‐UTR and reduces reporter gene expression in an ARE‐specific manner. These studies establish that hTTP is likely to function in a similar, if not identical manner, in the posttranscriptional regulation of TNFα. Understanding the posttranscriptional regulation of TNFα biosynthesis is important for the development of novel treatment strategies in rheumatoid arthritis.
The efficacy and safety of intraarticular corticosteroid therapy for coxitis in juvenile rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Neidel Jasper , Boehnke Martina , Küster R. Michael 
Published: October 2002

AbstractObjectiveTo study the efficacy and safety of intraarticular triamcinolone hexacetonide (IATH) for the treatment of coxitis in patients with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA).MethodsFifty consecutive patients with JRA and coxitis were studied prospectively. Forty‐eight children received IATH in 67 arthritic hips. The remaining 2 children exhibited 3 cases of femoral head necrosis (FHN) at the initial assessment and were only followed up; both were receiving long‐term systemic steroids. After a minimum of 2 years, the study was concluded with a final evaluation that included magnetic resonance imaging.ResultsIn 39 of 67 hip joints (58%), remission of the coxitis for a period of 2 years was obtained through a single administration of IATH, while another 12 hip joints showed remission of coxitis after repeated TH injections (total remission rate 76%). We observed 2 patients with FHN following IATH. Both of these children were receiving long‐term systemic steroids. During the period between onset of JRA and screening assessment for this study, the children exhibited 2.4 cases of FHN per 100 patient‐years, while 1.5 cases of FHN per 100 patient‐years were observed between IATH treatment and final followup. All 5 observed cases of FHN occurred among the 20 children who received long‐term systemic steroids, while no necrosis occurred in the 30 children who did not receive systemic corticosteroids (P = 0.009 by Fisher's exact test).ConclusionIATH for juvenile rheumatoid coxitis was an effective treatment that did not increase the rate of FHN. Systemic steroids, however (or their covariable, severity of JRA), may increase the risk of FHN in JRA.
30,000 hits may be better than 300: Precision anomalies in Internet searches
Authors: Eastman Caroline M. 
Published: October 2002

AbstractResults of searches using a variety of query formulations with several Internet search engines show that strategies intended to give narrower and more precise results may not give improvements in precision even though they result in fewer hits. Searches were performed by students in graduate information retrieval courses using different formulations for the same topic.