bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cytokines as Mediators for or Effectors against Rotavirus Disease in Children
Authors: Jiang B , Snipes-Magaldi L. , Dennehy P. , Keyserling H. , Holman R. C. , Bresee J. , Gentsch J. , Glass R. I. 
Published: November 2003

ABSTRACT

Rotavirus is the most common cause of severe gastroenteritis in young children, but the pathogenesis and immunity of this disease are not completely understood. To examine the host response to acute infection, we collected paired serum specimens from 30 children with rotavirus diarrhea and measured the levels of nine cytokines (interleukin-1β [IL-1β], IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12, gamma interferon [IFN-γ], and tumor necrosis factor alpha [TNF-α]) using a microsphere-based Luminex Flowmetrix system. Patients with acute rotavirus infection had elevated median levels of seven cytokines in serum, and of these, the levels of three (IL-6, IL-10, and IFN-γ) were significantly (
P
< 0.05) higher than those in serum from control children without diarrhea. Patients with fever had significantly (
P
< 0.05) higher levels of IL-6 in serum than control children, and those with fever and more episodes of diarrhea had significantly (
P
< 0.05) higher levels of TNF-α than those without fever and with fewer episodes of diarrhea. We further demonstrated a negative association (
P
< 0.05) between the levels of IL-2 and the number of stools on the day on which the first blood sample was collected. Finally, patients with vomiting had significantly (
P
< 0.05) lower levels of IFN-γ than those without vomiting. Our pilot study provides evidence that the types and magnitudes of cytokine responses to rotavirus infection in children influence or reflect the clinical outcome of disease. These findings suggest that certain cytokines may play an important role in the pathogenesis of and the protection against rotavirus disease in children and, consequently, may provide directions and insights that could prove critical to the prevention or treatment of this important disease.
Marketing Literature Review
Authors: Leonard Myron 
Published: November 2003

This section is based on a selection of article abstracts from a comprehensive business literature database. Marketing-related abstracts from more than 125 journals (both academic and trade) are reviewed by JM staff. Descriptors for each entry are assigned by JM staff. Each issue of this section represents three months of entries into the database. Each entry has an identifying number. Cross-references appear immediately under each subject heading.
Micellar Nanoreactors—Preparation and Characterization of Hexagonally Ordered Arrays of Metallic Nanodots
Authors: Kästle G. , Boyen H.‐G. , Weigl F. , Lengl G. , Herzog T. , Ziemann P. , Riethmüller S. , Mayer O. , Hartmann C. , Spatz J.P. , Möller M. , Ozawa M. , Banhart F. , Garnier M.G. , Oelhafen P. 
Published: November 2003

AbstractThe preparation of hexagonally ordered metallic nanodots was studied in detail with emphasis on the chemical state of the resulting particles. To obtain these dots, in a first step micellar structures were formed from diblock copolymers in solution. The reverse micelles themselves are capable of ligating defined amounts of a metal salt within their cores, acting as nanoreactors. After transfer of the metal‐loaded reverse micelles onto a substrate, the polymer was removed by means of different plasmas (oxygen and/or hydrogen), which also allow the metal salt to be reduced to the metallic state. In this way, ordered arrays of metallic nanodots can be prepared on various substrates. By adjusting the appropriate parameters, the separation and the size of the dots can be varied and controlled. To determine their purity, chemical state, and surface cleanliness—all of which are crucial for subsequent experiments since nanoscale structures are intrinsically surface dominated—in‐situ X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and ex‐situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were applied, also giving information on the formation of the nanodots.
Anomalous Spin Transition Observed in Bis(2,6‐bis(pyrazol‐3‐yl)pyridine)iron(II) Thiocyanate Dihydrate
Authors: Bhattacharjee A. , Ksenofontov V. , Sugiyarto K.H. , Goodwin H.A. , Gütlich P. 
Published: November 2003

AbstractBis(2,6‐bis(pyrazol‐3‐yl)pyridine)iron(II) thiocyanate dihydrate undergoes a two‐step singlet (1A1) ⇄ quintet (5T2) transition in which both steps are associated with thermal hysteresis. Thermal cycling of the sample results in its conversion to a second phase which displays a single‐step transition with a very narrow hysteresis loop. This second phase slowly reverts to the initial phase on standing at 300 K. The interconversions are completely reversible. The spin state changes have been monitored by measurement of magnetism and Mössbauer spectra and by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) studies.
Solid‐State Photovoltaic Thin Films using TiO2, Organic Dyes, and Layer‐by‐Layer Polyelectrolyte Nanocomposites
Authors: Tokuhisa H. , Hammond P.T. 
Published: November 2003

AbstractWe report photovoltaic devices consisting of patterned TiO2, porphyrin dyes, and layer‐by‐layer (LBL) polyelectrolyte multilayer/oligoethylene glycol dicarboxylic acid (OEGDA) composite films. A composite polyelectrolyte LBL/OEGDA film was fabricated by formation of an alternating multilayer of linear polyethyleneimine (LPEI) and polyacrylic acid (PAA), followed by immersion of the LBL film into an OEGDA aqueous solution. The ionic conductivity attained in this LBL LPEI/PAA and OEGDA composite film was approximately 10–5 S cm–1 at room temperature and humidity. Investigations of dye‐sensitized photovoltaic devices constructed with the LBL (LPEI/PAA)/OEGDA composite films, TiO2, and four types of porphyrin dyes resulted in optimization of the dye molecule and its orientation at the interface with the ionically conductive composite. The photocurrent value of photovoltaic devices constructed with the composite LBL/OEGDA film from illumination of a xenon white light source exhibited a nearly 1.5 times enhancement over the device without OEGDA. This enhancement of the photocurrent was due to the high room‐temperature ionic conductivity of the multilayer composite film. Further marked improvements of the photovoltaic performance were achieved by patterning the TiO2 electrode using polymer stamping as a template for TiO2 deposition. The device with patterned TiO2 electrodes exhibited almost 10 times larger conversion efficiencies than a similar device without patterning.
Long‐Range, Entangled Carbon Nanotube Networks in Polycarbonate
Authors: Singh S. , Pei Y. , Miller R. , Sundararajan P.R. 
Published: November 2003

AbstractA method is presented for dispersing ropes or bundles of single‐walled carbon nanotubes (RCNTs) in a polycarbonate (PC) matrix. Films of PC/RCNT composites are produced, with thicknesses ranging from 10 to 60 μm, and containing small concentrations (0.06–0.25 wt.‐%) of RCNT. Our process is based on a unique method of hot casting, annealing, and drying from dichlorobenzene solution. A wet annealing prior to complete drying yields a uniform and transparent film. Despite the low RCNT loading, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis of the films after fracture reveals that the RCNTs form an entangled network throughout the film, which is a key requirement for enhanced properties. An increase of up to 30 % in the Young's modulus, as compared to PC, results with this method of composite fabrication.
Atomic Layer Deposition of TiO2 Thin Films on Mixed Self‐Assembled Monolayers Studied as a Function of Surface Free Energy
Authors: Lee J.P. , Jang Y.J. , Sung M.M. 
Published: November 2003

AbstractMixed self‐assembled monolayers (SAMs) with different ratios of –OH to –CH3 groups were used to modify the surface free energies of the Si substrates from 64 to 29 mN m–1. The TiO2 thin films were grown on the mixed SAM‐coated Si substrates by atomic layer deposition (ALD) from titanium isopropoxide and water. A two‐dimensional growth mode is observed on the SAMs‐coated substrates possessing high surface free energies. As the surface free energy decreases, a three‐dimensional growth mode begins to dominate. These observations indicate that the mixed SAMs can control the growth modes of the atomic layer deposition by modifying of the surface free energies of the substrates.
Anthracene‐Containing Binaphthol Chromophores for Light‐Emitting Diode (LED) Fabrication
Authors: Benmansour H. , Shioya T. , Sato Y. , Bazan G.C. 
Published: November 2003

AbstractNon‐crystalline anthracene‐containing binaphthol chromophores were synthesized, characterized, and used in the fabrication of organic light‐emitting diodes (OLEDs). Specifically, the target molecules were 2,2′‐dihexyloxy‐1,1′‐binaphthol‐6,6′‐bisanthracene (BA1) and 2,2′‐dimethoxyy‐1,1′‐binaphthol‐6,6′‐bisanthracene (BA2). Molecules BA1 and BA2 provide amorphous solids, as determined by their glass‐transition temperature (Tg) measured by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Efficient multilayer OLEDs containing BA1 and BA2 were fabricated by evaporation techniques. Differences in the electroluminescence frequencies of these devices suggests that the degree of alkoxide substitution controls the mobility within the binaphthol material, and therefore the recombination region in the device. Compound BA2 can also be used to dope CBP ((4,4′‐bis(carbazol‐9‐yl)biphenyl)) in the fabrication of highly efficient OLEDs.
Positively Thermo‐Sensitive Monodisperse Core–Shell Microspheres
Authors: Xiao X.‐C. , Chu L.‐Y. , Chen W.‐M. , Wang S. , Li Y. 
Published: November 2003

AbstractIn this paper, we report on a novel family of monodisperse thermo‐sensitive core–shell hydrogel microspheres that is featured with high monodispersity and positively thermo‐responsive volume phase transition characteristics with tunable swelling kinetics, i.e., the particle swelling is induced by an increase rather than a decrease in temperature. The microspheres were fabricated in a three‐step process. In the first step, monodisperse poly(acrylamide‐co‐styrene) seeds were prepared by emulsifier‐free emulsion polymerization. In the second step, poly(acrylamide) or poly[acrylamide‐co‐(butyl methacrylate)] shells were fabricated on the microsphere seeds by free radical polymerization. In the third step, the core–shell microspheres with poly‐ (acrylamide)/poly(acrylic acid) based interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) shells were finished by a method of sequential IPN synthesis. The proposed monodisperse core–shell microspheres provide a new mode of the phase transition behavior for thermo‐sensitive “smart” or “intelligent” monodisperse micro‐actuators that is highly attractive for targeting drug delivery systems, chemical separations, sensors, and so on.
Cranial allometry, phylogeography, and systematics of large‐bodied papionins (primates: Cercopithecinae) inferred from geometric morphometric analysis of landmark data
Authors: Frost Stephen R. , Marcus Leslie F. , Bookstein Fred L. , Reddy David P. , Delson Eric 
Published: November 2003

AbstractThe cranial morphology of the African Old World monkeys Mandrillus, Papio, and Theropithecus (i.e., baboons) has been the subject of a number of studies investigating their systematic relationships, patterns of scaling, and growth. In this study, we use landmark‐based geometric morphometrics and multivariate analysis to assess the effects of size, sex, taxonomy, and geographic location on cranial shape. Forty‐five landmarks were digitized in three dimensions on 452 baboon crania and subjected to generalized Procrustes analysis (GPA), which standardizes geometric size but leaves scaling‐based shape differences in the data. The resulting shape coordinates were submitted to regression analysis, principal components analysis (PCA), partial least‐squares (PLS) analysis, and various clustering techniques. Scaling (shape differences correlated with size) was the largest single factor explaining cranial shape variation. For instance, most (but not all) of the shape differences between the sexes were explained by size dimorphism. However, central tendencies of shape clearly varied by taxon (both specific and subspecific) even after variations in size and sex were adjusted out. Within Papio, about 60% of the size‐ and sex‐adjusted shape variations were explained by the geographic coordinates of the specimen's provenance, revealing a stepped cline in cranial morphology, with the greatest separation between northern and southern populations. Based on evidence from genetic studies, and the presence of at least two major hybrid/interbreeding zones, we interpret the phylogeographic pattern of cranial variation as indicating that these populations are best ranked as subspecies of a single species, rather than as two or more distinct biological species. This objective approach can be applied to other vertebrate species or species groups to help determine the taxonomic rank of problematic taxa. Anat Rec Part A 275A:1048–1072, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Bone's mechanostat: A 2003 update
Authors: Frost Harold M. 
Published: November 2003

AbstractThe still‐evolving mechanostat hypothesis for bones inserts tissue‐level realities into the former knowledge gap between bone's organ‐level and cell‐level realities. It concerns load‐bearing bones in postnatal free‐living bony vertebrates, physiologic bone loading, and how bones adapt their strength to the mechanical loads on them. Voluntary mechanical usage determines most of the postnatal strength of healthy bones in ways that minimize nontraumatic fractures and create a bone‐strength safety factor. The mechanostat hypothesis predicts 32 things that occur, including the gross anatomical bone abnormalities in osteogenesis imperfecta; it distinguishes postnatal situations from baseline conditions at birth; it distinguishes bones that carry typical voluntary loads from bones that have other chief functions; and it distinguishes traumatic from nontraumatic fractures. It provides functional definitions of mechanical bone competence, bone quality, osteopenias, and osteoporoses. It includes permissive hormonal and other effects on bones, a marrow mediator mechanism, some limitations of clinical densitometry, a cause of bone “mass” plateaus during treatment, an “adaptational lag” in some children, and some vibration effects on bones. The mechanostat hypothesis may have analogs in nonosseous skeletal organs as well. Anat Rec Part A 275A:1081–1101, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Expression of FACIT collagens XII and XIV during bleomycin‐induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice
Authors: Tzortzaki Eleni G. , Tischfield Jay A. , Sahota Amrik , Siafakas Nikolaos M. , Gordon Marion K. , Gerecke Donald R. 
Published: November 2003

AbstractCollagens XII and XIV are members of a subfamily of fibril‐associated collagens with interrupted triple‐helices (FACITs) that facilitate the interactions of adjacent collagen fibrils. Using immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization, we analyzed the spatial and temporal expression pattern of collagens XII and XIV during bleomycin‐induced pulmonary fibrosis. C57Bl mice were treated with bleomycin (1 U, i.p., every other day for 8 days) or saline (control), and lung tissue samples were analyzed 2–12 weeks later. Collagen I protein expression was increased in the lung 2 weeks post bleomycin treatment and persisted for at least 12 weeks. In contrast, collagen XII and XIV expression was low until 4 weeks after bleomycin treatment. Whereas collagen XII expression was greatest between 4 weeks and 8 weeks, expression of collagen XIV persisted from 4 to 12 weeks, which suggests that these two proteins may play distinct roles in the fibrotic process. The mRNA for lysyl oxidase (LOX), an enzyme for cross‐linking of collagens, had a delayed increase in the lung after bleomycin administration. It reached a maximum after 8 weeks, and persisted throughout the 12 weeks of the study. These data support the hypothesis that fibrosis is a multistep process that involves both collagen accumulation and changes in the molecules that modulate the biomechanical properties of fibrils. Anat Rec Part A 275A:1073–1080, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Localization of neurons projecting into the extrinsic penile smooth musculature of the pig: An experimental study on the retractor penis muscle
Authors: Panu Rino , Bo Minelli Luisa , Botti Maddalena , Gazza Ferdinando , Acone Franca , Ragionieri Luisa , Palmieri Giovanni 
Published: November 2003

AbstractThe aim of this study was to locate in male pigs the sensory and autonomic ganglia innervating the retractor penis muscle (RPM), which was taken as an experimental model of the genital smooth musculature. The retrograde neuronal tracers horseradish peroxidase (HRP), Fast Blue (FB), and diamidino yellow (DY) were injected into the bulbopenile portion of the left RPM. The tracers highlighted a different affinity for the neuronal structures, although labelled cells supplying the RPM were generally found in bilateral dorsal root ganglia (DRGs, S1–S3), in bilateral paravertebral ganglia (PaGs, L2–S3), and in the left and right caudal mesenteric ganglia (CMGs). The mean number of labelled FB cells was 795 (range, 645–952) in DRGs, 16046.25 (range, 10226–18742) in PaGs, and 635.25 (range, 333–786) in CMGs. The mean diameter of pseudounipolar DRG cells was 60–75 μm, while the multipolar neurons of PaGs and CMGs had dimensions varying between 20–50 μm and 20–30 μm, respectively. Anat Rec Part A 275A:1102–1108, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Collagen type VI expression during cardiac development and in human fetuses with trisomy 21
Authors: Gittenberger‐De Groot Adriana C. , Bartram Ulrike , Oosthoek Petra W. , Bartelings Margot M. , Hogers Bianca , Poelmann Robert E. , Jongewaard Ian N. , Klewer Scott E. 
Published: November 2003

AbstractThe role played by specific extracellular matrix molecules in normal endocardial cushion differentiation into valves and septa remains to be established. In this respect, type collagen VI is of particular interest because genes encoding the α1 and α2 chains are located on chromosome 21, and defects involving the atrioventricular (AV) cushions are frequent in trisomy 21. Collagen VI expression was studied in normal human embryonic and fetal hearts (5–18 weeks of development) and compared by immunohistochemistry with results from fetuses (10–16 weeks of development) with trisomy 21. During normal endocardial cushion differentiation (5–8 weeks) there was marked collagen VI expression in the AV cushions, whereas only minor expression was seen in the outflow tract cushions. In the normal fetuses (10–18 weeks), collagen VI in the AV cushions had condensed into a marked zone on the atrial side of the leaflets, as well as subendocardially in other regions of high shear stress. Morphological defects involving the endocardial cushion‐derived structures were present in all trisomy 21 cases. An abnormally large membranous septum was observed in three cases. An AV septal defect (AVSD) was present in two, while one had a ventricular septal defect (VSD). Two cases presented with a secondary atrial septal defect (ASDII), and one had an AVSD. Mild to moderate valve dysmorphia was found in all cases. Collagen VI staining in trisomy 21 was more intense than in the normal subjects; however, there were no differences in the spatial expression patterns. We conclude that collagen VI is expressed in the AV cushions and persists during valve differentiation. Collagen VI is more prominent in fetal trisomy 21 hearts than in normal hearts. We hypothesise that collagen VI has a role in the development of heart defects involving endocardial cushion differentiation—specifically in the AV canal, the most common site of malformations affecting children with trisomy 21. Anat Rec Part A 275A:1109–1116, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Reduction of job loss in persons with rheumatic diseases receiving vocational rehabilitation: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Allaire Saralynn H. , Li Wei , LaValley Michael P. 
Published: November 2003

AbstractObjectiveJob loss is a major consequence of rheumatic diseases, and clinicians may refer patients to vocational rehabilitation for help. When provided after job loss, the impact of vocational rehabilitation is short term. This randomized controlled trial with 48 months of followup was undertaken to determine the efficacy of vocational rehabilitation provided to persons with rheumatic diseases while they are still employed, but at risk for job loss.MethodsA total of 242 patients with rheumatic diseases residing in Massachusetts were recruited through their rheumatologists for study. Participants were randomly assigned to the experimental group (n = 122) or the control group (n = 120). Subjects in the experimental group received two 1.5‐hour sessions of vocational rehabilitation; those in the control group received print materials about disability employment issues and resources by mail. The main outcome assessed was the time to first job loss. Job losses were defined as permanent disability, premature retirement, or a period of unemployment. All analyses were conducted on an intent‐to‐treat basis.ResultsJob loss was delayed in the experimental group compared with the control group (P = 0.03 by log rank test). After adjustment for confounders, participation in the experimental group was found to be protective against job loss (odds ratio 0.58 [95% confidence interval 0.34–0.99], P = 0.05 by pooled logistic regression).ConclusionVocational rehabilitation delivered to patients at risk for job loss, but while they were still employed, delayed job loss. Such an intervention has the potential to reduce the high indirect costs, as well as the personal impact, of rheumatic diseases.