bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Essential work of fracture (EWF) analysis for compression molded alternating poly(propylene carbonate)
Authors: Fung K. L. , Zhao H. X. , Wang J. T. , Meng Y. Z. , Tjong S. C. , Li R. K. Y. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractIn this investigation, the main objective was to study the mechanical properties of alternating poly(propylene carbonate) copolymer (PPC). The PPC used in this study was derived from propylene oxide and carbon dioxide using zinc glutarate as catalyst. The molecular weight of the PPC copolymer used in this study has M̄n∼33,000. The synthesized PPC was compression molded into sheets of thickness ∼1mm. The fracture toughness of the PPC films was determined using the essential work of fracture (EWF) technique, at a laboratory temperature of 20°C, and a loading rate of 1 mm/min. During the EWF measurement, a significant amount of plastic deformation has taken place around the initial ligament region. The measured specific total fracture work (wf) was observed to vary in a linear fashion with the specimen ligament (l), and hence satisfied the basic requirement for EWF analysis. The specific essential fracture work (we) for the PPC film was measured to be 11.0 kJ/m2. The PPC showed a prominent recovery behavior. The severely deformed region surrounding the fracture ligament was observed to recover completely 8 days after fracture testing. Polym. Eng. Sci. 44:580–587, 2004. © 2004 Society of Plastics Engineers.
Mechanical properties and crystallization behavior of poly(lactic acid) blended with dendritic hyperbranched polymer
Authors: Zhang Jian‐Feng , Sun Xiuzhi 
Published: April 2004

AbstractMechanical properties of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) blended with a small amount of dendritic hyperbranched polymer (DHP) were investigated. Effects of DHP and starch on mechanical properties of PLA were compared. DHP significantly improved tensile strength and elongation at break of PLA. A small amount of starch in PLA slightly improved PLA's elongation, but had no effect on tensile strength. Isothermal crystallization kinetics of PLA blended with DHP and starch were also studied. Both DHP and starch acted as nucleation agents and significantly increased crystallization rate and crystallinity of PLA. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry
Using the common sense model to understand perceived cancer risk in individuals testing for BRCA1/2 mutations
Authors: Kelly Kimberly , Leventhal Howard , Andrykowski Michael , Toppmeyer Deborah , Much Judy , Dermody James , Marvin Monica , Baran Jill , Schwalb Marvin 
Published: April 2004

AbstractThe common sense model posits that individuals' understanding of illness is based upon somatic symptoms and life experiences and thus may differ significantly from the biomedical view of illness. The current study used the common sense model to understand cancer risk perceptions in 99 individuals testing for BRCA1/2 mutations. Specifically, we examined change from post‐counseling to post‐result in (1) absolute risk (risk of developing cancer in one's lifetime) and (2) comparative risk (risk relative to the general population). Results indicated that absolute risk showed a trend such that those with a personal history of cancer receiving uninformative negative results reported decreased absolute risk. Further, individuals receiving uninformative negative results reported decreased comparative risk. Those with no personal cancer history receiving informative negative results did not decrease in risk over time nor did their risk differ from those with a personal cancer history, evidencing unrealistic pessimism regarding their risk of cancer. The reasons provided for individuals' risk perceptions could be classified in terms of attributes of the common sense model and included the: (1) causes of cancer (e.g. family history, mutation status); (2) control or cure of cancer through health behaviors and/or surgery; and (3) perceived timeline for developing cancer (e.g. time left in life to develop cancer). We conclude that key to developing interventions to improve understanding of cancer risk and promoting effective cancer control mechanisms is an understanding of the specific reasons underlying individuals' perceptions of cancer risk. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Generation of cytotoxic T lymphocytes specific for the prostate and breast tissue antigen TARP
Authors: Carlsson Björn , Tötterman Thomas H. , Essand Magnus 
Published: April 2004

AbstractBACKGROUNDExpansion of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) directed against peptide epitopes from antigens that are specifically expressed by normal and neoplastic prostate epithelial cells has during the last years emerged as an interesting therapeutic approach to treat advanced prostate cancer. TCRγ alternate reading frame protein (TARP) is a protein that in males is specifically expressed by normal prostate epithelial cells and prostate cancer cells. We have evaluated TARP for human leukocyte antigen (HLA)‐A*0201‐restricted peptides capable of triggering TARP‐specific CTL.METHODSDendritic cells (DC) were pulsed either with synthetic peptides derived from the natural amino acid sequence of TARP or with cognate peptides having enhanced affinity for HLA‐A*0201 due to an N‐terminal anchor residue substitution. The peptide‐pulsed DC were used to stimulate autologous T cells ex vivo.RESULTSWe were able to generate T cells against TARP27–35 and TARP4–13 and their mutated counterparts TARP(V28L)27–35 and TARP(P5L)4–13. The use of affinity‐enhanced peptides resulted in the generation of T cells recognizing target cells displaying either wild‐type or mutated peptide. We further show that TARP‐specific T cells can be tetramer‐sorted and subsequently expanded to large numbers by general T cell stimulation, with retained specificity and activity. Sorted and expanded T cells, obtained by stimulation with TARP(P5L)4–13, exert moderate lysis of the TARP‐expressing prostate cancer cell line, LNCaP, and breast cancer cell line, MCF‐7, indicating that the TARP4–13 epitope may be endogenously processed and presented by TARP‐positive, HLA‐A*0201‐positive cells.CONCLUSIONSOur findings suggest that synthetic TARP peptides, such as TARP(P5L)4–13, may play a role in prostate and breast cancer immunotherapy. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Therapeutic activity of 3,3′‐diindolylmethane on prostate cancer in an in vivo model
Authors: Nachshon‐Kedmi Maya , Fares Fuad A. , Yannai Shmuel 
Published: April 2004

AbstractBACKGROUNDProstate cancer (PC) is the second leading cancer‐related death in men in Western countries. Hence, efficient anti‐carcinogenic and therapeutic compounds against PC are badly needed. We have previously shown that 3,3′‐diindolylmethane (DIM) has a suppressive effect on the growth of human breast and PC cell lines. The objective of this study was examination of the potential therapeutic effects of DIM in an in vivo model.METHODSTRAMP‐C2, a mouse PC cell line, was injected into the flank of male C57BL/6 mice. When tumors appeared, mice were injected intraperitoneally with either corn oil (vehicle) or DIM (2.5, 5, or 10 mg per kg body weight) 3‐times a week, for 3 weeks, and tumor volumes were measured bi‐weekly with calibermeters. Later, the tumors were removed, their final weights and volumes were measured, and tumor sections were tested for histological studies.RESULTSDIM had a significant inhibitory effect, caused by diminished tumor growth. Histological examination of tumors from treated groups revealed apoptosis and decreased cell proliferation, compared with the controls. DIM didn't affect body weights or kidney and liver functioning.CONCLUSIONSThe inhibitory action of DIM on tumor growth was demonstrated in vivo. Hence, this compound at the concentrations tested may offer an effective and non toxic therapeutic means against tumor growth in rodents, and may serve as a potential natural anti‐carconigenic compound in humans. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Restoration of fibroblast growth factor receptor2 suppresses growth and tumorigenicity of malignant human prostate carcinoma PC‐3 cells
Authors: Yasumoto Hiroaki , Matsubara Akio , Mutaguchi Kazuaki , Usui Tsuguru , McKeehan Wallace L. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractBACKGROUNDFibroblast growth factors (FGFs) and their receptors (FGFRs) expedite stromal–epithelial communication in development and homeostasis of the human prostate. Loss of resident epithelial cell FGFR2IIIb that responds to stromal FGF7 and FGF10 accompanies malignant progression of both model animal and human prostate tumors.METHODSWe examined whether restoration of FGFR2IIIb by transfection in the malignant human prostate tumor PC‐3 cell line restored cellular properties associated with less malignant tumors. Cell proliferation, apoptosis, and tumor cell implants were used to monitor malignant properties. Activity of FGFR2IIIb was assessed by immunoblot of FRS2 and p44/42 MAP kinase. Immunochemical analysis of pancytokeratin and lactoferrin expression was utilized to assess changes in cellular differentiation.RESULTSExpression of FGFR2IIIb in PC‐3 cells by transfection resulted in growth suppression in vitro and reduced tumor formation in vivo concurrent with increased cellular differentiation and apoptosis.CONCLUSIONSThe results indicate that restoration of FGFR2IIIb to the malignant human prostate epithelial cell prototype PC‐3 restores properties associated with nonmalignant tumors and normal cells. This further suggests that epithelial cell resident, homeostasis‐promoting FGFR2 may be involved in suppression of malignancy and that restoration may be a candidate for gene therapy of hormone‐refractory prostate cancer. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Trefoil factor 3 overexpression in prostatic carcinoma: Prognostic importance using tissue microarrays
Authors: Faith Dennis A. , Isaacs William B. , Morgan James D. , Fedor Helen L. , Hicks Jessica L. , Mangold Leslie A. , Walsh Patrick C. , Partin Alan W. , Platz Elizabeth A. , Luo Jun , De Marzo Angelo M. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractBACKGROUNDHuman intestinal trefoil factor 3 (TFF3) is a member of a family of polypeptides encoded by a cluster of genes on chromosome 21. Through gene expression profiling studies TFF3 mRNA has been found to be overexpressed in prostate cancer.METHODSWe used immunochemistry on tissue microarrays and software tools, collectively referred to as TMAJ, for online assessment of staining to analyze samples from 294 primary tumors and 61 metastatic lesions.RESULTSApplying a cutoff of 20% of cells staining as positive, the frequency of staining was 18.8% in normal (51 of 272) and 47.0% in primary tumors (126 of 268), P < 0.0001, Wilcoxon rank sum). Expression of TFF3 in metastatic prostate cancer was similar to that in primary tumors. TFF3 expression was not associated with time to biochemical recurrence, development of distant metastasis, or death due to prostate cancer. Scoring data derived from visual estimation of expression correlated highly with semi‐automated image analysis using the Automated Cellular Imaging System (ACIS™) from Chromavision, Inc.CONCLUSIONSThese studies validate that TFF3 is overexpressed at the protein level in a subset of primary and metastatic prostate cancers, show the first use of the TMAJ database, and demonstrate the ability to semi‐automatically scan and score immunohistochemically stained tissue microarray slides. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Trefoil factor 3 is overexpressed in human prostate cancer
Authors: Garraway Isla P. , Seligson David , Said Jonathan , Horvath Steve , Reiter Robert E. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractThe trefoil factors are secreted peptides produced by normal intestinal mucosa. Members of the trefoil family are overexpressed in a variety of cancers and are associated with tumor invasion, resistance to apoptosis, and metastasis. Recent cDNA array analyses suggest that human intestinal trefoil factor 3 (TFF3) may be overexpressed in human prostate cancer. Immunohistochemistry was performed on a prostate cancer tissue microarray containing tumor tissue samples from 246 primary radical retropubic prostatectomy cases with antibodies specific for TFF3. Prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN), benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), and morphologically normal prostatic epithelium were represented on this array. Additionally, 18 metastatic lesions were also stained. Two independent pathologists scored the tissue arrays, with positive cases defined as those containing TFF3 staining in a majority of target cells within any spots representing the appropriate designated histology. Forty‐two percent of 236 cases containing prostate cancer stained positive for TFF3, while only 10% of 145 cases containing normal tissue and 18% of 91 cases containing BPH, stained positive. Seven of 18 (39%) metastatic lesions analyzed stained positive. Although TFF3 expression correlates significantly with prostate cancer, TFF3 expression did not correlate with Gleason grade, tumor stage, or rate of recurrence. These studies validate that TFF3 is overexpressed in a subset of primary and metastic prostate cancers. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Correlation corrected band structures of homopolypeptides v. B3LYP band structures of 19 homopolypeptides
Authors: Bogar F. , Ladik J. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractAb initio B3LYP crystal orbital (CO) calculations have been performed on the 19 homopolypeptides (PolyGly, PolyAla, PolySer, PolyThre, PolyLeu, PolyiLeu, PolyVal, PolyAspAc, PolyAsp, PolyGlutAc, PolyGlut, PolyHist, PolyProl, PolyCyst, PolyMeth, PolyTyr, PolyPhenAla, PolyArg, and PolyLys) in their β pleated sheet conformation. Keeping the main chain conformation fixed as in PolyGly, the side chain geometries were optimized. For the calculation 2n+1 different k points were used with n = 8 for the case of simpler and n = 10 for more complicated side chains. The basis set applied was the double ζ one of Clementi. According to the results obtained, the conduction bands are shifted upward and the valance band downward, compared with the results of previous BLYP 1 and LDA 7 CO calculations. The bandwidths are similar to the previous cases. The band edges are in many cases not at the endpoints of the first Brillouin zones, causing nonmonotonous dispersion of both the conduction bands (CB) and the valance bands (VB), respectively. The fundamental gap values due to the upward shifts of the CB and downward shifts of the VB are substantially larger than in the case of our previous DFT CO calculations (values 6.0–7.0 eV). They are very close to the gap values, which can be estimated on the basis of experimental ultraviolet (UV) spectra of some homopolypeptides and on the basis of intermediate exciton theoretical calculations (6.5–7.5 eV). These surprisingly good results for the gaps are due to the compensation of errors (LDA or BLYP gives too small and simple HF provides too large gap values) in the B3LYP method. The admixture of the exact HF exchange with a weight of 0.19 obviously compensates the self interaction error occurring in the LDA or BLYP methods. This article discusses whether/how this result could be established by other B3LYP CO calculations on simple polymer chains and on stacked systems (e.g., nucleotide base stacks). Furthermore, a comparative analysis of the ground state DFT methods, the HF method and of the optimized effective potential method could throw more light on our successful theoretical results for the gaps of the homopolypeptides. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2004
Mass spectra of nitro‐β,β‐dihalostyrenes
Authors: Lin Shaw‐Tao , Lee Chun‐Jen , Chen Li‐Chwen , Huang Keh‐Feng 
Published: April 2004

AbstractThe electron ionization (EI) fragmentation of nitro‐β,β‐dihalostyrenes depends strongly on the specific halogens present as well as on the position of the nitro group. β,β‐Difluorostyrenes yielded mainly fluoroacetylene ions as the base peaks and o‐nitro‐β,β‐dihalostyrene possibly furnished the ion with a structure similar to that of benzo[a]isoxazole (11). The structural identity of the ion was verified by comparing the collision‐induced dissociation (CID) spectra of m/z 119 ions from p‐ and o‐nitro‐β,β‐difluorostyrene, o‐nitro‐β,β‐dibromostyrene and compound 11. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The development and use of farm‐level indicators in England
Authors: Tzilivakis John , Lewis Kathy A. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractIn recent years the concept of ‘sustainability indicators’ has become important within agricultural policy development. However, as policy tools, many indicators are highly technical in nature and often appear relevant only at national level. Consequently, the key messages underpinning the indicators can easily become lost at farm level.In order to drive progress towards sustainability it is important to define indicators at a level that is meaningful to the target audience and that encapsulates the spatial and temporal diversity of the farm environment.In support of policy objectives the pilot national set of indicators of agricultural sustainability has been re‐cast into indicators that can be collected, interpreted and compared at a farm level. A software package that prioritizes the indicators according to farm type and that links trends with farm management decisions and practices, identifying steps for improvements, is used as the main means of knowledge transfer. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
Synaptic arrangements between inner hair cells and tunnel fibers in the mouse cochlea
Authors: Sobkowicz Hanna M. , August Benjamin K. , Slapnick Susan M. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractHair cells, the sensory cells of the organ of Corti, receive afferent innervation from the spiral ganglion neurons and efferent innervation from the superior olivary complex. The inner and outer hair cells are innervated by distinctive fiber systems. Our electron microscopical studies demonstrate, however, that inner hair cells, in addition to their own innervation, are also synaptically engaged with the fibers destined specifically to innervate outer hair cells, within both the afferent and efferent innervation. Serial sections of the afferent tunnel fibers (destined to innervate outer hair cells) in the apical turn demonstrate that, while crossing toward the tunnel of Corti, they receive en passant synapses from inner hair cells. Each inner hair cell (in a series of five in the apical turn) was innervated by two tunnel fibers, one on each side. We show here for the first time that, in the adult, the afferent tunnel fibers receive a ribbon synapse from inner hair cells and form reciprocal contacts on their spines. Vesiculated efferent fibers from the inner pillar bundle (which carries the innervation to outer hair cells) form triadic synapses with inner hair cells and their synaptic afferent dendrites; the vesiculated terminals of the lateral olivocochlear fibers from the inner spiral bundle synapse extensively on the afferent tunnel fibers, forming triadic synapses with both afferent tunnel fibers and their synaptic inner hair cells. This intense synaptic activity involving inner hair cells and both afferent and efferent tunnel fibers, at their crossroad, implies functional connections between both inner and outer hair cells in the process of hearing. Synapse 52:299–315, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Diet and chronic haloperidol effects on rat midbrain dopamine neurons
Authors: Hamilton Margaret E. , Freeman Arthur S. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractThe effects of dietary glucose (chow containing 0%, 10%, 20%, or 40% glucose, w/w) on chronic haloperidol‐induced changes in dopamine (DA) neuronal activity were tested. Rats were treated daily by oral gavage for 21 days with either water or 0.5 mg/kg haloperidol, then anesthetized for in vivo electrophysiological recording. The numbers of spontaneously active DA neurons in the substantia nigra (A9) and ventral tegmental area (A10) regions of the midbrain were estimated with the cells‐per‐track sampling method. In rats fed standard chow, haloperidol significantly reduced the number of active neurons in both regions compared to water controls. In water controls there were no differences in DA cells per track between rats fed standard chow or chow containing 10% or 20% glucose, whereas these glucose diets significantly attenuated the effects of chronic haloperidol on DA cells per track. The 40% glucose diet itself nonsignificantly reduced cells per track and, in turn, nonsignificantly attenuated the effects of haloperidol. The results demonstrate that dietary glucose content can alter haloperidol‐induced changes in the activity of midbrain DA neurons. Synapse 53:1–5, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Chemical speciation and toxicity of metals assessed by three bioluminescence‐based assays using marine organisms
Authors: Deheyn Dimitri D. , Bencheikh‐Latmani Rizlan , Latz Michael I. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractMetal toxicity is a function of the biology of the target organism and the chemical speciation of the metal. The toxicity of 11 metals was assessed with three cell‐based bioassays based on marine organisms: the bacterium Photobacterium phosphoreum of the Microtox® bioassay, an environmental strain of P. phosphoreum, and photocytes isolated from the brittlestar Ophiopsila californica. Metal speciation was calculated for three commonly used media: NaCl‐based Microtox® bioassay medium, artificial seawater glycerol, and artificial seawater. Decreased bioluminescence was considered a proxy for cell toxicity. In all three assays the elements Cd and Hg exhibited similar speciation as well as similar toxicity profiles. The element Cu was toxic in all three assays despite different metal speciation for the P. phosphoreum bioassay. The element Ag was toxic to both bacterial strains but not to photocytes despite a similar chemical speciation for all three assays. In general, the Microtox® bioassay was sensitive to all metals (except Pb), whereas the photocytes were the least sensitive to the metals. The heightened response of the Microtox® bioassay probably resulted from a combination of the limited complexing power of the medium and the greater sensitivity of the bacterial strain. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 19: 161–178, 2004.
Anatoxin‐a toxin in the cyanobacterium Planktothrix rubescens from a fishing pond in northern Italy
Authors: Viaggiu Emanuela , Melchiorre Serena , Volpi Fabrizio , Di Corcia Antonio , Mancini Roberta , Garibaldi Letizia , Crichigno Giuseppe , Bruno Milena 
Published: April 2004

AbstractA heavy algal bloom occurring in a fishing pond in northern Italy full of Salmo trutta was examined for algae taxonomy and toxic production. The dominant algal species (98%) was identified as the cyanobacterium Planktothrix rubescens (D.C. ex GOMONT) Komarek Anagnostidis, based on morphological examination, and it was revealed to be toxic in mouse and Vibrio fischeri bioassays. The toxin was identified as anatoxin‐a using high‐performance liquid chromatography and confirmed using liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC‐MS). The mouse bioassay gave signs of poisoning, as previously reported for anatoxin‐a. The LC‐MS confirmed the presence of an anatoxin‐a peak at m/z 166 (M+H+). The content of toxin in the field population was estimated at 12.13 μg/g of fresh cells. The bloom was sustained by the very high N/P ratio in the water. This is the first report in Italy of an anatoxin‐a‐producing Planktothrix rubescens population. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 19: 191–197, 2004.