bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
NR4A2 and schizophrenia: Lack of association in a Portuguese/Brazilian study
Authors: Ruano Dina , Macedo António , Dourado Ana , Soares Maria João , Valente José , Coelho Isabel , Santos Vítor , Azevedo Maria Helena , Goodman Ann , Hutz Mara Helena , Gama Clarissa , Lobato Maria Inês , Belmonte‐de‐Abreu Paulo , Palha Joana Almeida 
Published: May 2004

AbstractThe present study investigates the association of mutations in the nuclear receptor NR4A2 in schizophrenic patients. The human Nur‐related receptor 1, NR4A2, is an orphan nuclear receptor that can be constitutively active as a transcription factor and for which no natural ligand has yet been identified. Alone or with retinoid X receptor, RXR, NR4A2 influences the expression of several genes important for human brain development and regulation. In the absence of Nurr1 (the mouse homologue to human NR4A2), ventral mesencephalic dopaminergic mouse neurons evidence severe developmental failure, a condition that is lethal soon after birth. Nurr1 involvement in the dopaminergic system makes it a good candidate for study in neuropsychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia and Parkinson disease. Evidence by others support this hypothesis (1) mapping of the NR4A2 gene to chromosome 2q22‐23, a region with suggestive linkage to schizophrenia and (2) identification of mutations in patients with schizophrenia (c.366‐369delTAC, c.308A > G, c.‐469delG), manic depression (c.289A > G), and familial Parkinson's disease (c.‐291delT, c.‐245T > G). To further extend these observations, we searched for all these mutations in 176 Caucasian Portuguese and 82 Caucasian Brazilian subjects with lifetime diagnosis of schizophrenia. The study failed to identify any of the described mutations in patients or controls. Nevertheless, these negative results do not exclude altered expression of nuclear receptors in schizophrenia or the presence of other mutations. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Gelation in the radical polymerization of dimethyl diallyl ammonium chloride
Authors: Kozlov G. V. , Malkanduev Y. A. , Zaikov G. E. 
Published: May 2004

AbstractWithin the framework of an irreversible aggregation model on a sample of polydimethyl diallyl ammonium chloride, we demonstrated that gelation occurred on a transient part from the autoacceleration stage until the dopolymerization stage. During part of the autoacceleration, the polymer solution was in a sol state on the segment of autoacceleration. Therefore, the use of the term gel effect in reference to the beginning of the reaction did not seem quite justified. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 93: 1394–1396, 2004
Natural rubber vulcanizate reinforced by modified coal‐shale‐based fillers
Authors: Zhao Ming , Xiang Yu 
Published: May 2004

AbstractCoal shale is considered a waste material in coal mining and washing processes. It comprises both inorganic and organic components. In this study, two kinds of coal shale were microcracked, burned, modified by enoxidation natural rubber (ENR), and then used as reinforcing fillers for natural rubber (NR). The NR vulcanizates reinforced with this modified filler were characterized by bounded rubber content, apparent crosslink density, and various mechanical property tests. The results show that the ultramicro coal‐shale powder was a good filler for NR. It could be mixed quickly, and it dispersed well in NR, which resulted in a significant enhancement. After modification by ENR, the reinforcement properties were improved further. The results suggest that this new type of filler could be used as a semireinforcing filler to replace or partially replace carbon black. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 93: 1397–1400, 2004
Synthesis and characterization of cellulose triacetate and poly(ethylene imine) membranes containing a polyether macrobicyclic: Their application to the separation of copper(II) and silver(I) ions
Authors: Arous Omar , Amara Mourad , Kerdjoudj Hacène 
Published: May 2004

AbstractA cellulose triacetate (CTA)–poly(ethylene imine) (PEI) membrane containing a polyether macrobicyclic (cryptand) as a carrier and 2‐nitrophenyloctyl ether (NPOE) as a plasticizer was prepared. The CTA–PEI–cryptand–NPOE membrane was characterized with chemical techniques as well as Fourier transform infrared, X‐ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, and scanning electron microscopy. The permeation of silver and copper ions through the CTA–PEI–cryptand–NPOE membrane was comparable to that through a supported liquid membrane. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 93: 1401–1410, 2004
Plasma‐enhanced deposition of silver nanoparticles onto polymer and metal surfaces for the generation of antimicrobial characteristics
Authors: Jiang Hongquan , Manolache Sorin , Wong Amy C. Lee , Denes Ferencz S. 
Published: May 2004

AbstractSilver nanoparticle thin layers were deposited onto formaldehyde‐radio frequency (RF)‐plasma‐functionalized medical‐ and food‐grade silicone rubber, stainless steel, and paper surfaces. The silver deposition was carried out under ex situ plasma conditions using the Tollen's reaction. Results from survey and high‐resolution electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy investigations confirmed the presence of thin silver layers on the plasma‐exposed and subsequently modified substrate surfaces. In addition, SEM and AFM demonstrated the nanoparticle‐based morphology of the deposited layers. Our results showed that thin macromolecular layers bearing aldehyde functionalities can be deposited onto silicone rubber, stainless steel, and paper surfaces. The bactericidal properties of the silver‐coated surfaces were demonstrated by exposing them to Listeria monocytogenes. No viable bacteria were detected after 12 to 18 h on silver‐coated silicone rubber surfaces. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 93: 1411–1422, 2004
Effect of butyl rubber type on properties of polyamide and butyl rubber blends
Authors: Van Dyke J. D. (Jack) , Gnatowski Marek , Koutsandreas Andy , Burczyk Andrew 
Published: May 2004

AbstractPolyamide‐12 was blended with butyl rubber, bromobutyl rubber, and chlorobutyl rubber with and without a sulfur curing system. Mechanical properties for dynamically vulcanized blends generally exceed those made with no vulcanization. Chlorobutyl‐containing blends prepared by dynamic vulcanization have higher tensile strength and elongation at break values in comparison to those made from other butyl rubbers. For a variety of polyamide/rubber blends made by dynamic vulcanization, there is very little effect of rubber percentage unsaturation and Mooney viscosity on the mechanical properties of the blends. In chlorobutyl‐containing blends prepared by dynamic vulcanization, the swelling index values attributed to the rubber portion decrease as rubber content decreases, and it is likely that the polyamide phase completely surrounds the rubber particles at compositions exceeding approximately 25% polyamide. Swelling index results can be correlated with elongation at break values for similar blends. The results of differential scanning calorimetry suggest that the polyamide phase is not a neutral component in high shear mixing with butyl rubbers with or without curing agents. Rheological studies indicate strong non‐Newtonian behavior for all blends of polyamide‐12 with butyl rubbers. Scanning electron microscopy on polyamide‐12/butyl rubber blends indicates compatibility for butyl rubbers in the order of chlorobutyl > bromobutyl > butyl rubber. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 93: 1423–1435, 2004
Poly[poly(oxypropylene) phosphate] macroionophores for transport and separation of cations in a hybrid: Cation‐exchange polymer and liquid membrane system
Authors: Wódzki Romuald , Świa̧tkowski Marek , Pretula Julia , Kałużyñski Krzysztof 
Published: May 2004

AbstractPoly[poly(oxypropylene) phosphate]s (PPOPP, Mn = 5800, 8100, 10,400), with different POP units (400, 1200, 2000), were synthesized and applied as cation‐selective macroionophores in a multimembrane hybrid system (MHS). The solution of PPOPP in dichloroethane formed the flowing liquid membrane (FLM) circulating between two polymer cation‐exchange membranes, and subsequently, between two polymer‐made pervaporation (PV) membranes. It was found that the PPOPP macroionophores activate the preferential transport of Zn2+ cations from aqueous solutions containing competing Cu2+, Ca2+, Mg2+, K+, and Na+ cations. The following separation orders were observed for PPOPPs with POP‐400 and POP‐1200: Zn2+ > Cu2+ ≫ Ca2+, Mg2+, K+, Na+, and for PPOPP with POP‐2000: Zn2+ > Cu2+,Ca2+ ≫ Mg2+, K+, Na+. Always, the particular cations are separated as: Zn2+ > Cu2+, Ca2+ > Mg2+, and K+ > Na+. The properties of PPOPPs were compared to respective transport and separation characteristics corresponding to those of respective poly(propylene glycol)s and poly(oxypropylene) bisphosphates. The results of investigation indicate that the bifunctional character of PPOPPs is caused by the presence of ionizable groups and probably pseudocyclic POP structures. By comparing the separation of cations in the simple MHS[FLM] system and the system supported by pervaporation unit [MHS[FLM‐PV] it was found that continuous dehydration of an organic FLM improves the system overall performance. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 93: 1436–1445, 2004
Effects of maleated styrene–(ethylene‐co‐butene)–styrene on compatibilization and properties of nylon‐12,12/nylon‐6 blends
Authors: Xie Tingxiu , Yang Guisheng 
Published: May 2004

AbstractEffects of a maleated triblock copolymer of styrene–(ethylene‐co‐butene)–styrene (SEBS‐g‐MA) on compatibilization and mechanical properties of nylon‐12,12/nylon‐6 blends were investigated. The results showed that addition of SEBS‐g‐MA could improve the compatibility between nylon‐12,12 and nylon‐6. Nylon‐12,12 could disperse very well in nylon‐6 matrix, although the dispersion of nylon‐6 was poor when nylon‐6 was the dispersed phase. At a fixed nylon‐12,12/nylon‐6 ratio of 30/70, supertoughness was achieved with addition of 15% SEBS‐g‐MA in weight. Scanning electron microscopy of the impact‐fractured surface indicated that cavitation and matrix shear yielding were the predominant mechanisms of impact energy dissipation. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 93: 1446–1453, 2004
Synthesis and characterization of polyamphoteric hydrogel membrane based on chitosan
Authors: Gholap S. G. , Badiger M. V. 
Published: May 2004

AbstractPolyamphoteric hydrogel membranes were synthesized by graft copolymerization of N‐isopropylacrylamide (NIPAm) and 2‐acrylamido‐2‐methyl propane sulfonic acid (AMPS) onto chitosan (CS). The incorporation of poly(NIPAm) (PNIPAm) and poly(AMPS) (PAMPS) into CS was confirmed by FTIR spectroscopy. The swelling behavior of membranes as a function of pH, temperature, and ionic strength was studied. Permeability of solutes through these membranes was investigated at different temperatures. The results showed the dual sensitivity of membranes toward pH and temperature. The formation of the polyelectrolyte complex between CS and PAMPS showed influence on the lower critical solution temperature of PNIPAm. The permeabilities of solutes through these membranes were strongly dependent on the size of solutes, solution temperature, and hydrophilicity of the membranes. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 93: 1454–1461, 2004
Toughening of recycled poly(ethylene terephthalate) with a maleic anhydride grafted SEBS triblock copolymer
Authors: Yu Zhong‐Zhen , Yang Ming‐Shu , Dai Shao‐Cong , Mai Yiu‐Wing 
Published: May 2004

AbstractToughening of recycled poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) was carried out by blending with a maleic anhydride grafted styrene‐ethylene/butylene‐styrene triblock copolymer (SEBS‐g‐MA). With 30 wt % of the SEBS‐g‐MA, the notched Izod impact strength of the recycled PET was improved by more than 10‐fold. SEM micrographs indicated that cavitation occurred in just a small area near the notch root. Addition of 0.2 phr of a tetrafunctional epoxy monomer increased the recycled PET melt viscosity by chain extension reaction. Different from the positive effect of the epoxy monomer in toughening of nylon and PBT with elastomers, the use of the epoxy monomer in the recycled PET/SEBS‐g‐MA blends failed to further enhance dispersion quality and thus notched impact strength. This negative effect of the epoxy monomer was attributed to the faster reactivity of the epoxy group with maleic anhydride of the SEBS‐g‐MA than with the carboxyl or hydroxyl group of recycled PET. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 93: 1462–1472, 2004
UV‐initiated free radical and cationic photopolymerizations of acrylate/epoxide and acrylate/vinyl ether hybrid systems with and without photosensitizer
Authors: Cho Jung‐Dae , Hong Jin‐Who 
Published: May 2004

AbstractVarious properties of UV‐initiated acrylate/epoxide and acrylate/vinyl ether hybrid photopolymerizations with and without photosensitizer in the presence of free radical and cationic‐type photoinitiators have been determined by dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA), calorimetric analysis (photodifferential scanning calorimetry, photo‐DSC; and differential scanning calorimetry), and scanning electron microscopy. DMTA experiments revealed that the UV curing of hybrid systems may produce interpenetrating polymer networks. Photo‐DSC analyses indicated that the acrylates polymerized faster than the epoxide and vinyl ether in the hybrid systems; the addition of a photosensitizer, isopropylthioxanthone (ITX), increased the polymerization rate of the epoxide and vinyl ether in the hybrid systems. SEM analysis confirmed that the free radical system seemed to be significantly affected by oxygen inhibition, while the cationic and hybrid systems were not nearly inhibited by oxygen; the presence of photosensitization produced by the addition of ITX enhanced the surface curing of the hybrid systems. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 93: 1473–1483, 2004
Compositional analysis of thermoplastic wood composites by TGA
Authors: Renneckar Scott , Zink‐Sharp Audrey G. , Ward Thomas C. , Glasser Wolfgang G. 
Published: May 2004

AbstractA method has been developed for the quantitative determination of the composition of thermoplastic wood composites. The method involves area measurements of the two peaks in the derivative curve of a tracing produced by the thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) of a thermoplastic composites sample in an inert atmosphere. This may involve the standard, constant heating rate method or the high resolution (Hi‐Res™) TGA method; both produce virtual baseline separation between wood and polyolefin peaks over a wide compositional range. Because this baseline separation suffers from a mutual effect on the thermal degradation of wood and polyolefins, best results are obtained if the parameters relating peak area with polyolefin content are different below and above 40% polyolefin content. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 93: 1484–1492, 2004
Solubility study of polyacrylamide in polar solvents
Authors: Wu Shuhui , Shanks R. A. 
Published: May 2004

AbstractContact angles and surface tension data were measured to obtain the surface tension components of polyacrylamide (PAM). According to Van Oss, Chaudhury, and Good (VCG) theory, the surface tension components were used to calculate the PAM solubility in five different polar solvents: water, ethylene glycol (EG), acetone, ethanol, and dimethyl formamide (DMF). It was found that PAM had a monopolar surface nature, which resulted in polymer dissolution in water. The solubility of PAM in water was greater than in EG, but PAM was solvophobic in the other three solvents. For PAM, water, and the second solvent (cosolvent) ternary system, the solubility of PAM could not be calculated directly. Surface tension was used as an index of polarity for cosolvent systems (the mixture of water and the second solvent). The cosolvent polarity decreased when the composition of the second solvent increased. PAM would be dissolved in the cosolvent when the system's polar contribution was greater than the apolar contribution. The apparent surface tension of PAM aqueous solutions was not sensitive enough to show polymer conformation changes when additive concentrations were changed. The solubility of PAM in binary polar solvent systems or ternary cosolvent systems was used to estimating the swelling properties of a PAM hydrogel under corresponding external conditions. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 93: 1493–1499, 2004
cDNA cloning, expression, and characterization of an arylphorin‐like hexameric storage protein, AgeHex2, from the mulberry longicorn beetle, Apriona germari
Authors: Kim Seong Ryul , Lee Kwang Sik , Yoon Hyung Joo , Park Nam Sook , Lee Sang Mong , Je Yeon Ho , Jin Byung Rae , Sohn Hung Dae 
Published: May 2004

AbstractAn arylphorin‐like hexameric storage protein, AgeHex2, cDNA was cloned from the mulberry longicorn beetle, Apriona germari (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae), larval cDNA library. The complete cDNA sequence of AgeHex2 is comprised of 2,088 bp encoding 696 amino acid residues. The AgeHex2 had four potential N‐glycosylation sites. The AgeHex2 contained the highly conserved two larval storage protein signature motifs. The deduced protein sequence of AgeHex2 showed high homology with A. germari hexamerin1 (51% amino acid identity), Tenebrio molitor hexamerin2 (49% amino acid identity), T. molitor early‐staged encapsulation inducing protein (43% amino acid identity), and Leptinotarsa decemlineata diapause protein1 (43% amino acid identity). Phylogenetic analysis further confirmed the AgeHex2 is more closely related to coleopteran hexamerins than to the other insect storage proteins. Northern blot analysis confirmed that the AgeHex2 showed fat body‐specific expression. The cDNA encoding AgeHex2 was expressed as a 75‐kDa protein in the baculovirus‐infected insect cells. Furthermore, N‐glycosylation of the recombinant AgeHex2 was revealed by tunicamycin to the recombinant virus‐infected Sf9 cells, demonstrating that the AgeHex2 is N‐glycosylated. Western blot analysis using the polyclonal antiserum against recombinant AgeHex2 indicated that the AgeHex2 corresponds to a 75‐kDa storage protein present in the A. germari larval hemolymph. Arch. Insect Biochem. Physiol. 56:61–72, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Fatty acid and sex pheromone changes and the role of glandular lipids in the Z‐strain of the European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis (Hübner)
Authors: Foster S.P. 
Published: May 2004

AbstractLipids in the sex pheromone gland of females of the Z‐strain of Ostrinia nubilalis were analyzed for fatty acyl pheromone analogs (FAPAs) and other potential biosynthetic intermediates. More than 80% of the FAPAs were found in the triacylglycerols (TGs), with smaller amounts found in the phosphatidyl cholines, ethanolamines, and serines. Analysis of the TGs by lipase revealed that the two FAPAs were distributed fairly evenly among all three stereospecific positions. Comparison of changes in titers of key glandular fatty acids with those of pheromone components, with respect to photoperiodic time and age of females, showed that both FAPA and pheromone titers exhibited a cyclical pattern with peaks in the scotophase and valleys in the photophase. However, whereas pheromone titer tended to peak in the first half of the scotophase, FAPA titer peaked at the end of the scotophase. Significantly, the titer of the FAPA of the minor component, (E)‐11‐tetradecenyl acetate (3% of pheromone), was always much greater than the titer of the FAPA of the major component, (Z)‐11‐tetradecenyl acetate (97%), of the pheromone. Titer of myristate, an intermediate in pheromone biosynthesis, was also higher during the scotophase than the photophase. However, myristate titer showed a pronounced dip in the middle of the scotophase. These data suggest two roles for glandular lipids in sex pheromone biosynthesis in O. nubilalis. Firstly, they remove excess FAPA of the minor component so the fatty acid reductase system is not presented with a high ratio of this isomer (which would otherwise result from the reductase's own selectivity), which could cause changes in the final pheromone ratio. Secondly, hydrolysis of the large amounts of stored saturated fatty acids from the TGs may provide substrate for pheromone biosynthesis. Arch. Insect Biochem. Physiol. 56:73–83, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
In vitro and in vivo enzyme studies of polyhemoglobin‐tyrosinase
Authors: Yu B. , Chang T.M.S. 
Published: May 2004

AbstractMelanoma is now the fifth most common type of cancer in North America. At present, there is no optimal treatment for this cancer. However, the lowering of the tyrosine level can inhibit the growth of melanoma. Unfortunately, this diet restriction cannot be humanly tolerated and causes vomiting, nausea, and severe body weight loss. To prevent these problems, we are studying a new approach involving the preparation intermolecularly crosslinked hemoglobin and tyrosinase for intravenous injection. In this article we describe the method of preparation and the structural and functional properties of polyhemoglobin‐tyrosinase. We evaluate the effects of varying glutaraldehyde ratio, crosslinking time, and enzyme concentration on the enzyme activity of polyhemoglobin‐tyrosinase. We also optimize the molecular weight distribution of polyhemoglobin‐tyrosinase. The stability of polyhemoglobin‐tyrosinase at 37°C is much more stable when compared to noncrosslinked tyrosinase solution. Animal studies show that a higher degree of polymerization correlates with a longer circulation time of polyhemoglobin‐tyrosinase, and the optimal crosslinking time is 24 hours. One intravenous injection of polyhemoglobin‐tyrosinase lowers the plasma tyrosine to about 10% of its original level within one hour. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Effect of ethanol, acetate, and phenol on toluene degradation activity and tod–lux expression in Pseudomonas putida TOD102: evaluation of the metabolic flux dilution model
Authors: Lovanh Nanh , Alvarez Pedro J. J. 
Published: May 2004

AbstractThe reporter strain Pseudomonas putida TOD102 (with a tod‐lux fusion) was used in chemostat experiments with binary substrate mixtures to investigate the effect of potentially occurring cosubstrates on toluene degradation activity. Although toluene was simultaneously utilized with other cosubstrates, its metabolic flux (defined as the toluene utilization rate per cell) decreased with increasing influent concentrations of ethanol, acetate, or phenol. Three inhibitory mechanisms were considered to explain these trends: (1) repression of the tod gene (coding for toluene dioxygenase) by acetate and ethanol, which was quantified by a decrease in specific bioluminescence; (2) competitive inhibition of toluene dioxygenase by phenol; and (3) metabolic flux dilution (MFD) by all three cosubstrates. Based on experimental observations, MFD was modeled without any fitting parameters by assuming that the metabolic flux of a substrate in a mixture is proportional to its relative availability (expressed as a fraction of the influent total organic carbon). Thus, increasing concentrations of alternative carbon sources “dilute” the metabolic flux of toluene without necessarily repressing tod, as observed with phenol (a known tod inducer). For all cosubstrates, the MFD model slightly overpredicted the measured toluene metabolic flux. Incorporating catabolite repression (for experiments with acetate or ethanol) or competitive inhibition (for experiments with phenol) with independently obtained parameters resulted in more accurate fits of the observed decrease in toluene metabolic flux with increasing cosubstrate concentration. These results imply that alternative carbon sources (including inducers) are likely to hinder toluene utilization per unit cell, and that these effects can be accurately predicted with simple mathematical models. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.