bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of lithium administration on collagen and breaking pressure of the rat thoracic descending aorta
Authors: Tzaphlidou Margaret , Berillis Panagiotis 
Published: July 2004

AbstractLithium is widely used in medicine as an antidepressive drug. Despite abundant literature on the subject, questions on the effects of lithium on collagen, which is one of the major components of tissues and organs, are far from being answered. We have examined the effects of lithium chloride (1.5 mEq Li/kg of body weight) on rat thoracic descending aorta: 1) on collagen fibrils by electron microscopy and image analysis and 2) on breaking pressure. Animals were sacrificed 1 day, 2, and 12 months after the end of a 30 consecutive days experimental period. In all cases investigated, structural abnormalities in collagen fibrils, at the ultrastructural level, were found. These abnormalities consist of decreased mean diameter and high variability in width as well as marked disorganization in the packing of the fibrils. The observed alterations seem to be permanent. Rupture of the rat thoracic aorta following pressure is significantly influenced by lithium. J. Trace Elem. Exp. Med. 17:151–160, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Zinc deficiency and oxidative stress in brain: Magnetic resonance investigations in weanling rats
Authors: Towner Rheal A. , Appleby Christopher , Levy Mark , Bray Tammy M. 
Published: July 2004

AbstractIn humans, zinc deficiency is characterized by a broad spectrum of neurological clinical syndromes. It is known that vesicular zinc‐enriched areas of the brain, such as the hippocampus, are responsive to zinc deprivation, which may result in learning impairment. Recent findings show that zinc deficiency may cause alterations in neurochemical activity. In this study we used contrast‐enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to monitor disruptions to the blood–brain barrier (BBB) and image‐guided MR spectroscopy to follow alterations in brain metabolites as a result of zinc‐deficiency and/or hyperoxia‐induced oxidative stress. Gadolinium‐diethylaminetriaminopentaacetic acid, an extracellular T1 relaxation contrast agent, increases tissue water signal in the brain if the BBB is damaged. A significant increase in postcontrast T1‐weighted MR image intensity was observed in the brain of zinc‐deficient or hyperoxia‐exposed rats, as well as zinc‐deficient rats exposed only to hyperoxia when compared with zinc‐adequate rats. From single‐voxel image‐guided MR spectroscopy results, significant decreases in the ratio of N‐acetyl aspartate, a neuronal‐specific compound, to total choline levels were found when comparing controls (zinc‐adequate or zinc pair‐fed) with zinc‐deficiency or hyperoxia groups alone, and when zinc‐deficiency was combined with hyperoxia. This study demonstrates the sensitivity of MR techniques in the ability to monitor the effect of zinc deficiency combined with oxidative stress on BBB permeability as well as detect alterations in brain metabolites. This will further aid in our understanding of the possible cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in zinc deficiency pathology associated with the brain. J. Trace Elem. Exp. Med. 17:161–174, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Well‐posedness and asymptotic analysis for a Penrose–Fife type phase field system
Authors: Rossi Riccarda 
Published: July 2004

AbstractIn this paper, an asymptotic analysis of the (non‐conserved) Penrose–Fife phase field system for two vanishing time relaxation parameters ε and δ is developed, in analogy with the similar analyses for the phase field model proposed by G. Caginalp (Arch. Rational Mech. Anal. 1986; 92:205–245), which were carried out by Rossi and Stoth (Adv. Math. Sci. Appl. 2003; 13:249–271; Quart. Appl. Math. 1995; 53:695–700).Although formally the singular limits for ε ↓ 0 and for ε and δ ↓ 0 are, respectively, the viscous Cahn–Hilliard equation and the Cahn–Hilliard equation, it turns out that the Penrose–Fife system is indeed a bad approximation for these equations. Therefore, we consider an alternative approximating phase field system, which could be viewed as a generalization of the classical Penrose–Fife phase field system, featuring a double non‐linearity given by two maximal monotone graphs. A well‐posedness result is proved for such a system, and it is shown that the solutions converge to the unique solution of the viscous Cahn–Hilliard equation as ε ↓ 0, and of the Cahn–Hilliard equation as ε ↓ 0 and δ ↓ 0. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Diffusion in poro‐plastic media
Authors: Showalter R. E. , Stefanelli U. 
Published: July 2004

AbstractA model is developed for the flow of a slightly compressible fluid through a saturated inelastic porous medium. The initial‐boundary‐value problem is a system that consists of the diffusion equation for the fluid coupled to the momentum equation for the porous solid together with a constitutive law which includes a possibly hysteretic relation of elasto‐visco‐plastic type. The variational form of this problem in Hilbert space is a non‐linear evolution equation for which the existence and uniqueness of a global strong solution is proved by means of monotonicity methods. Various degenerate situations are permitted, such as incompressible fluid, negligible porosity, or a quasi‐static momentum equation. The essential sufficient conditions for the well‐posedness of the system consist of an ellipticity condition on the term for diffusion of fluid and either a viscous or a hardening assumption in the constitutive relation for the porous solid. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Time‐dependent algorithms for viscoelastic flow: Finite element/volume schemes
Authors: Webster M. F. , Tamaddon‐Jahromi H. R. , Aboubacar M. 
Published: July 2004

AbstractHybrid finite volume/element methods are investigated within the context of transient viscoelastic flows. A finite volume algorithm is proposed for the hyperbolic constitutive equation, of Oldroyd‐form, whereas the continuity/momentum balance is accommodated through a Taylor‐Galerkin finite element method. Various finite volume combinations are considered to derive accurate and stable implementations. Consistency of formulation is key, embracing fluctuation distribution and median‐dual‐cell constructs, within a cell‐vertex discretisation on triangles. In addition, we investigate the effect of treating the time‐term in a finite element fashion, using mass‐matrix iteration instead of the standard finite volume mass‐lumping approach. We devise an accurate transient scheme that captures the analytical solution at short and long time, both in core flow and near shear boundaries. In this respect, some difficulties are highlighted. A new method emerges, with the Low Diffusion B (LDB, with or without mass‐matrix iteration) as the optimal choice. We progress to a complex flow application and demonstrate some provocative features due to the influence of true transient boundary conditions on evolutionary flow‐structure in a 4:1 start‐up rounded‐corner contraction problem. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq, 2005
Amifostine for children with medulloblastoma treated with cisplatin‐based chemotherapy
Authors: Fisher Michael J. , Lange Beverly J. , Needle Michael N. , Janss Anna J. , Shu Hui‐Kuo G. , Adamson Peter C. , Phillips Peter C. 
Published: July 2004

AbstractIn adult patients, amifostine appears to ameliorate cisplatin‐related nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity. We assessed the safety and efficacy of amifostine in 11 children with newly diagnosed medulloblastoma/primitive neuroectodermal tumor treated with radiotherapy and vincristine, lomustine, and cisplatin. Amifostine was administered immediately prior to and 4 hr into the cisplatin infusion. Amifostine caused assymptomatic hypotension and hypocalcemia in 18 and 82% of patients, respectively. Despite amifostine use, 78% of patients developed significant ototoxicity. Although relatively well tolerated, amifostine does not appear to have a major impact on ameliorating the risk of developing significant nephro‐ and ototoxicity in children with medulloblastoma. Larger studies will help clarify these findings. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2004;43:780–784. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A survey of resources and activities in the MISPHO family of institutions in Latin America: A comparison of two eras
Authors: Sala Alessandra , Barr Ronald D. , Masera Giuseppe 
Published: July 2004

AbstractBackgroundIn developing countries, implementation of effective pediatric cancer programs can reduce the overall rate of childhood mortality. To promote this objective, Monzas International School of Pediatric Hematology‐Oncology (MISPHO)—for 14 countries with limited resources in Latin America—was launched in 1996.MethodsA survey was conducted to evaluate the possible impact of MISPHO on the following areas: research, educational, and clinical activities, diagnostic services, transfusion medicine, supportive care, ancillary staffing complement, and parents' associations—before and after 1996.ResultsNo institution lost resources or activities after 1996 and there were overall gains, in particular in educational activities, diagnostic capabilities, creation of single and multiple institutional treatment protocols.ConclusionsAlthough notable improvements have occurred, there are still important needs that have to be satisfied. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Contact time and interfacial fracture energy of tacky polymers
Authors: Chau Kin W. , Swei Gwo S. 
Published: July 2004

AbstractThe spontaneous adhesion of tacky polymers to rigid materials as a function of contact time at constant temperature and applied pressure is considered. Polymer‐substrate attachment, assumed to initiate as microscopic nuclei that form at random locations on the substrate and expand to cover their surroundings, is studied from a probabilistic perspective. Calculation yields a description of the natural law governing the increase in the interfacial fracture energy of tacky polymers on rigid substrates with contact time. The description assigns to each polymer–substrate pair three parameters that characterize the pair's bonding behavior and serve as a signature for the pair. The proposed description of the underlying natural law is verified with published experimental data. Its main features and implications are examined. The findings pertain to pressure sensitive adhesion and tack, and are used to interpret experimental results. The scheme not only accounts for the reported results of 14 polymer–substrate pairs but also depicts other distinct bonding behaviors yet to be observed. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 42: 3013–3025, 2004
Short communication: French version of the Occupational Stress Indicator (OSI): preliminary assessment of reliability and validity
Authors: Steiler Dominique , Cooper Cary L. 
Published: July 2004

AbstractThis article offers a preliminary assessment of the psychometric quality of the French version of the Occupational Stress Indicator (OSI). The OSI is a diagnostic tool that assesses seven different aspects of occupational stress by means of one independent variable (sources of pressure), three moderating factors (Type A behaviour, locus of control and coping strategies), and three dependent variables (job satisfaction, mental health and physical health). The purpose of the present study is to test the French translation of the OSI and investigate the reliability of all seven scales, as well as the convergent and discriminant validity of six of them, excluding job satisfaction. Cronbach's α revealed that six of the seven OSI scales were statistically very reliable. In accordance with previous studies, the seventh scale, locus of control, proved to be less reliable. Significant and acceptable levels of construct validity were also found for the Type A, locus of control, mental health, physical health scales and for one of the coping strategy subscales: social support. These encouraging results should lead to further, broader and more complete assessments of the psychometric quality of the French version of the OSI. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Short communication: Reliability testing and applied use of a measure of neutrophil activation in stress research
Authors: Ellard David R. , Barlow Julie H. , Mian Rubina 
Published: July 2004

AbstractThe purpose of this research was to test the reliability of a measure of neutrophil activation and to apply the measure in stress research. Two studies were carried out with university undergraduates. The first was a test‐retest reliability study of the nitro‐blue tetrazolium (NBT) test, a measure of neutrophil activity. The second was an applied study of its use in stress research. In the first study, finger‐stick blood samples were taken at three points in time (baseline, +1 hour, and at 1 month) from 30 participants. Physiological arousal was monitored (heart rate and blood pressure) before and after samples were taken. Neutrophil activity is determined by their capacity to reduce NBT and is presented as a percentage of NBT positive cells. Highly significant correlations were found between all time points (p = 0.0001) and there were no significant differences between the means. The NBT test was found to be reliable and was used in an examination of the association between neutrophil activity and perceived stress (PSS). Health related issues were also explored. A highly significant positive association was found between NBT and PSS (r = 0.840, p = 0.01). No associations are found between PSS and health. The results confirm and extend findings that stressors, even naturalistic stressors, can activate neutrophils. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
ISO/IEC 15504—Evolution to an international standard
Authors: Rout Terence P. 
Published: July 2004

AbstractThis article describes the work currently being undertaken to help ISO/IEC TR 15504 progress to the status of a full International Standard, and outlines the changes in design that are to be incorporated in the revision. It describes the inputs for the design decisions that were taken; identifies the fundamental changes in the architecture of the Standard; and briefly describes the current status of the development of the Standard. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
In Heavy Drinkers Fatty Acid Ethyl Esters in the Serum Are Increased for 44 hr After Ethanol Consumption
Authors: Borucki Katrin , Kunstmann Steffen , Dierkes Jutta , Westphal Sabine , Diekmann Silvia , Bogerts Bernhard , Luley Claus 
Published: July 2004

Background: Fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEEs) have been proposed as a marker of ethanol consumption because they can be detected for up to 24 hr after a moderate intake of ethanol, even though blood ethanol remains increased for only 8 hr. Therefore, this study investigated whether FAEEs can be found during a time period exceeding 24 hr in a group of patients who were hospitalized for ethanol detoxification. A second aim was to study the distribution of FAEEs between lipoproteins during that time.Methods: Serum samples of 12 patients with acute ethanol intoxication were assayed for FAEEs. Blood samples were drawn 8.2, 20.2, 32.2, and 44.2 hr after hospitalization. FAEEs were quantified by gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry.Results: Ethanol was no longer detectable after 20.2 hr from hospitalization, whereas FAEEs were still found after 32.2 and 44.2 hr. These late FAEEs were significantly higher than the FAEEs in 15 different healthy men who had abstained from ethanol for 4.5 days (p < 0.001 and p= 0.001). FAEEs were associated mainly with lipid‐free serum but tended to accumulate in very‐low‐density lipoprotein in patients with moderate hypertriglyceridemia.Conclusions: In heavy drinkers, the FAEEs were increased after ethanol consumption for at least 44 hr. It remains to be studied whether they originate from a single ethanol intake or, in addition, from a slow release out of body storage compartments.
Alcohol Effects During Acamprosate Treatment: A Dose‐Response Study in Humans
Authors: Brasser Susan M. , McCaul Mary E. , Houtsmuller Elisabeth J. 
Published: July 2004

Background: Acamprosate (calcium acetyl homotaurinate) reduces alcohol intake in animals and increases abstinence rates in alcohol‐dependent persons. Acamprosate's mechanism of action, however, remains poorly understood. In order to examine whether acamprosate/alcohol interactions contribute to acamprosate's efficacy, the present double‐blind, placebo‐controlled human laboratory study examined effects of acamprosate on the pharmacokinetics and subjective, psychomotor, and physiological effects of alcohol in heavy drinkers.Methods: In a six‐week within‐subject design, participants were maintained on acamprosate (0, 2, and 4 g, p.o., double‐blind, in counterbalanced order) for 11 days at each dose. Physiological, subjective, and psychomotor measures were collected daily during each dosing cycle. During each acamprosate dose condition, subjects were challenged with 0, 0.5, and 1.0 g/kg ethanol (p.o., counterbalanced order) during three separate laboratory sessions. Subjective, physiological, and psychomotor effects of alcohol, and breath alcohol levels were collected at baseline and at 30‐min intervals for a 3‐hr post‐administration period.Results: Acamprosate alone did not substantially affect subjective, physiological, or psychomotor performance measures. Acamprosate did not alter alcohol pharmacokinetics, or alcohol‐induced behavioral impairment or tachycardia, and most subjective alcohol effects were also unaltered by acamprosate as well. Although a trend appeared for acamprosate to increase subjective ratings of intoxication following the lower (0.5 g/kg) alcohol dose, adjustment for individual differences in blood alcohol level eliminated this effect, suggesting the trend was not due to a central effect of acamprosate.Conclusions: Acamprosate does not alter alcohol pharmacokinetics, acute physiological or psychomotor alcohol effects, or most subjective alcohol effects.
Association of Functional Opioid Receptor Genotypes With Alcohol Dependence in Koreans
Authors: Kim Sung‐Gon , Kim Cheol‐Min , Kang Dong‐Ho , Kim Yun‐Jin , Byun Won‐Tan , Kim Seong‐Yeon , Park Je‐Min , Kim Myung‐Jung , Oslin David W. 
Published: July 2004

Background: The functional polymorphism (A118G) of the μ‐opioid receptor gene (OPRM1) is thought to have clinical significance in the treatment of alcohol dependence. This study compared Koreans with one or two copies of the A118G polymorphism seeking treatment for alcohol dependence with a group of non–alcohol‐dependent controls.Methods: Patients hospitalized for alcohol dependence (n= 112) and a group of non–alcohol‐dependent controls (n= 140) were interviewed on aspects of drinking history and psychiatric history. Patients and controls were excluded if they met criteria for any other major psychiatric disorder. Participants were genotyped at the OPRM1 locus.Results: The allele frequency of the Asp40 allele was 0.397 in the alcohol‐dependent group, which is consistent with other literature demonstrating this polymorphism to be common in Asian populations. Within the alcohol‐dependent subjects, being homozygous for the Asp40 allele was associated with more days drinking than those heterozygous or homozygous for the Asn40 allele. Differences in the allele frequencies between alcohol‐dependent and non–alcohol‐dependent controls were not significant.Conclusions: These results suggest that having one or two copies of the A118G allele is common among Koreans and may be an important genetic factor in the etiology of alcohol dependence and the frequency of alcohol consumption.
Developmental Alcohol Exposure Alters Light‐Induced Phase Shifts of the Circadian Activity Rhythm in Rats
Authors: Farnell Yuhua Z. , West James R. , Chen Wei‐Jung A. , Allen Gregg C. , Earnest David J. 
Published: July 2004

Background: Developmental alcohol (EtOH) exposure produces long‐term changes in the photic regulation of rat circadian behavior. Because entrainment of circadian rhythms to 24‐hr light/dark cycles is mediated by phase shifting or resetting the clock mechanism, we examined whether developmental EtOH exposure also alters the phase‐shifting effects of light pulses on the rat activity rhythm.Methods: Artificially reared Sprague‐Dawley rat pups were exposed to EtOH (4.5 g/kg/day) or an isocaloric milk formula (gastrostomy control; GC) on postnatal days 4 to 9. At 2 months of age, rats from the EtOH, GC, and suckle control groups were housed individually, and wheel‐running behavior was continuously recorded first in a 12‐hr light/12‐hr dark photoperiod for 10 to 14 days and thereafter in constant darkness (DD). Once the activity rhythm was observed to stably free‐run in DD for at least 14 days, animals were exposed to a 15‐min light pulse at either 2 or 10 hr after the onset of activity [i.e., circadian time (CT) 14 or 22, respectively], because light exposure at these times induces maximal phase delays or advances of the rat activity rhythm.Results: EtOH‐treated rats were distinguished by robust increases in their phase‐shifting responses to light. In the suckle control and GC groups, light pulses shifted the activity rhythm as expected, inducing phase delays of approximately 2 hr at CT 14 and advances of similar amplitude at CT 22. In contrast, the same light stimulus produced phase delays at CT 14 and advances at CT 22 of longer than 3 hr in EtOH‐treated rats. The mean phase delay at CT 14 and advance at CT 22 in EtOH rats were significantly greater (p < 0.05) than the light‐induced shifts observed in control animals.Conclusions: The data indicate that developmental EtOH exposure alters the phase‐shifting responses of the rat activity rhythm to light. This finding, coupled with changes in the circadian period and light/dark entrainment observed in EtOH‐treated rats, suggests that developmental EtOH exposure may permanently alter the clock mechanism in the suprachiasmatic nucleus and its regulation of circadian behavior.
Alcohol Intake, Type of Beverage, and Risk of Breast Cancer in Pre‐ and Postmenopausal Women
Authors: Petri Anette Lykke , Tjønneland Anne , Gamborg Michael , Johansen Ditte , Høidrup Susanne , Sørensen Thorkild I.A. , Grønbæk Morten 
Published: July 2004

Background: Most studies of the relation between alcohol consumption and breast cancer have shown a modestly increased risk, although the results are still conflicting.Methods: The aim of this prospective population‐based cohort study was to assess the influence of alcohol intake and type of beverage (beer, wine, or spirits) on breast cancer risk in relation to menopausal status. Among 13,074 women aged 20 to 91 years, we examined the relationship between breast cancer risk, total alcohol intake, and type of alcohol in relation to menopausal status. The women were classified as premenopausal or as postmenopausal at younger than 70 years or 70 years or more.Results: During follow‐up, 76 premenopausal and 397 postmenopausal women developed breast cancer. Premenopausal women who had an intake of more than 27 drinks per week had a relative risk of breast cancer of 3.49 (95% confidence limits, 1.36–8.99) compared with light drinkers (p= 0.011), whereas there were no differences in risk in the lower‐intake categories. The increased risk of breast cancer among premenopausal women was independent of the type of alcohol. Postmenopausal women older than 70 years of age who had an intake of more than six drinks per week of spirits had a relative risk of breast cancer of 2.43 (95% confidence limits, 1.41–4.20) compared with women who consumed less than one drink of spirits per week (p= 0.0014).Conclusions: Total alcohol intake of more than 27 drinks per week increases breast cancer risk in premenopausal women independently of the type of alcohol. Among postmenopausal women, an intake of spirits of more than six drinks per week increases breast cancer risk.