bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Transcriptional Regulation of Agouti-Related Protein (Agrp) in Transgenic Mice
Authors: Kaelin Christopher B. , Xu Allison Wanting , Lu Xin-Yun , Barsh Gregory S. 
Published: September 2004

AbstractAgouti-related protein (Agrp) encodes a hypothalamic neuropeptide that promotes positive energy balance by stimulating food intake and reducing energy expenditure. Agrp expression in the brain is restricted to neurons within the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus, and expression levels are elevated as a consequence of food deprivation. We tested a series of bacterial artificial chromosome reporter constructs with varying amounts of sequence flanking the Agrp transcription unit in transgenic mice to identify and refine a region of DNA capable of recapitulating characteristics of Agrp expression. We report that a 42.5-kb region upstream of Agrp, containing three distinct regions that are evolutionarily conserved between mouse and human, is necessary and sufficient to consistently drive reporter expression specifically within AgRP neurons in a fasting-responsive manner. In addition, we demonstrate that this region allows for the stable expression of Cre recombinase in transgenic mice, providing a genetic tool for studying anabolic neural circuits that control energy balance.
Attitudes and Intentions of Future Health Care Providers Toward Abortion Provision
Authors: Shotorbani Solmaz , Zimmerman Frederick J. , Bell Janice F. , Ward Deborah , Assefi Nassim 
Published: September 2004

CONTEXT: Induced abortion is one of the most common procedures performed among women in the United States. However, 87% of all counties had no abortion provider in 2000, and little is known about the attitudes and intentions of future health care providers, including advanced clinical practitioners, regarding abortion provision.METHODS: During March 2002, first‐ and second‐year students in health sciences programs (i.e., medicine, physician assistant and nursing) at the University of Washington were anonymously surveyed. Univariate, bivariate and multi‐variate analyses were used to determine students' attitudes and intentions regarding provision of abortion services.RESULTS: Of the 312 students who completed the survey, 70% supported the availability of legal abortion under any circumstances. Thirty‐one percent intended to provide medical abortion in their practice, and 18% planned to offer surgical abortion. Fifty‐two percent of all respondents agreed that advanced clinical practitioners should be able to provide medical abortion, and 37% agreed that they should be able to provide surgical abortion services; however, greater proportions of advanced clinical practitioners (45–83%) than of medical students (21–43%) expressed such support. Sixty‐four percent of all respondents were willing to attend a program whose curriculum requires abortion training.CONCLUSIONS: Although it may not be possible to require abortion training for every future health care provider, making abortion a standard part of clinical training would provide opportunities for future physicians and advanced clinical practitioners, and would likely ameliorate the abortion provider shortage.
Acceptability of the Vaginal Diaphragm Among Current Users
Authors: Maher Julie E. , Harvey S. Marie , Bird Sheryl Thorburn , Stevens Victor J. , Beckman Linda J. 
Published: September 2004

CONTEXT: Interest in the diaphragm has been growing, in part because it is a female‐controlled method that might protect against HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). A better understanding of diaphragm acceptability is needed.METHODS: In 2001–2002, female members of a managed care organization were interviewed by telephone. The 215 participants, aged 19–49, who reported diaphragm use during the past three months were asked about their experience with the method and background characteristics. Characteristics associated with women's satisfaction with and consistent use of the diaphragm were identified through multiple logistic regression analysis.RESULTS: Most participants had a low risk for HIV and other STDs. The mean duration of diaphragm use was 8.5 years. Although only 42% of participants reported consistent use in the past three months, most were satisfied with the method (79%) and planned to use it at next vaginal intercourse (85%). Satisfied users had significantly higher diaphragm use self‐efficacy and more positive perceptions of the method than those not satisfied. Consistent use was significantly associated with older age and having had some college education rather than none. More than half of women cited dissatisfaction with previous methods (72%) and provider recommendation (61%) as moderately to extremely important in their decision to begin diaphragm use. When asked what they would change about the diaphragm, 32% mentioned concerns related to inserting or removing it.CONCLUSIONS: From an acceptability point of view, the diaphragm appears to be a viable candidate for a female‐controlled method for prevention of HIV and other STDs. Our findings have important implications for the reintroduc‐tion of the traditional diaphragm and development of new diaphragm‐like products.
A Comparison of Hispanic and White Adolescent Females' Use of Family Planning Services in California
Authors: Solorio M. Rosa , Yu Hongjian , Brown E. Richard , Becerra Lida , Gelberg Lillian 
Published: September 2004

CONTEXT: In California, the adolescent birthrate among Hispanics is three times that among whites. Because Hispanics are projected to make up one‐half of the state's adolescents by 2020, it is important to determine how cultural and health policy‐relevant factors are linked to this group's use of family planning services.METHODS: Data from the 2001 California Health Interview Survey were used to examine characteristics of Hispanic and white females aged 14–17, including patterns of use of family planning services in the past year. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to assess the association between selected characteristics and use of family planning services.RESULTS: Compared with white adolescents, Hispanic adolescents came from poorer families, had a poorer health status, less commonly had a regular source of primary health care and had lower rates of alcohol and drug use, and of sexual experience. Although the proportion of sexually experienced Hispanics who had used family planning services was similar to that of whites (34% and 27%, respectively), the proportion who had ever been pregnant and used such services was significantly larger (42% vs. 9%). In the multivariate analysis, Hispanic adolescents who had ever been pregnant were significantly more likely than whites who had not to have used family planning services in the past year (odds ratio, 11.6).CONCLUSIONS: A need exists for family planning programs to target Hispanic adolescents before they become pregnant, and to send a clear message that contraceptive services are available and should be used before a woman ever has a pregnancy.
A Randomized Study of a Pregnancy and Disease Prevention Intervention for Hispanic Couples
Authors: Harvey S. Marie , Henderson Jillian T. , Thorburn Sheryl , Beckman Linda J. , Casillas America , Mendez Leo , Cervantes Roxana 
Published: September 2004

CONTEXT: Many Hispanic women are at elevated risk for HIV infection because of the sexual behavior of their male partner. Yet, couple‐based risk‐reduction interventions for this population have not been developed and scientifically evaluated.METHODS: A sample of 146 Hispanic couples who received either a risk reduction intervention or the community educational standard of care were followed up at three months (men and women) and six months (women only) to measure the consistency of both condom use and effective contraceptive use, and the frequency of unprotected vaginal sex. Analyses were conducted to identify differences between the two groups at baseline and follow‐up interviews, and changes over time.RESULTS: At follow‐up, the two groups did not differ on any risk‐related outcomes; over time, both groups increased the reported consistency of condom use and of use of effective contraceptive methods, and reduced their frequency of unprotected sex.CONCLUSIONS: If further research confirms that simply bringing couples together for a single‐session, culturally appropriate risk reduction intervention helps them adopt protective behaviors, more intensive (and costly) interventions may not be necessary.
Detection of Antinuclear Antibodies by Solid-Phase Immunoassays and Immunofluorescence Analysis
Authors: Fenger Mogens , Wiik Allan , Høier-Madsen Mimi , Lykkegaard Jens J , Rozenfeld Teresa , Hansen Michael S , Samsoe Bente Danneskjold , Jacobsen Søren 
Published: September 2004

AbstractBackground: Antinuclear antibodies (ANAs) are associated with several inflammatory rheumatic diseases. The aim of the present work was to evaluate enzyme immunoassays (EIAs) and compare them with classic immunofluorescent analysis (IFA) for the detection of ANA.Methods: Seven enzyme immunoassays were used in this study. All assays were applied as described by the manufacturers. Three populations were included in the study: (a) a population of patients with well-established autoimmune inflammatory disease (n = 102); (b) a population in which a rheumatic disease was diagnosed up to 5 years after an IFA was performed (n = 164); and (c) a population of consecutive outpatients suspected to have a rheumatic disease (n = 101). The current clinical diagnoses of the patients served as the standard against which performance of the assays was evaluated.Results: In patients with well-established rheumatic disorders, the newly developed EIA in which HEp-2 extracts were included had sensitivities and specificities comparable to or in some instances better than the IFA. The assays without HEp-2 extracts included had significantly lower sensitivities and specificities. In the outpatient population, up to 51% of patients had positive ANA tests that did not correspond to classic ANA-associated disease. However, in the assays in which the HEp-2 extracts were not included, the false-positive rate was &lt;10%. The false-negative rate judged against IFA differed from assay to assay and disease to disease and was mostly &lt;10%.Conclusions: In this study, the sensitivities of EIAs and IFA were largely comparable. However, EIAs without HEp-2 extracts included had a low sensitivity but a high specificity, particularly in nonselected populations. The choice of test is highly dependent on the clinical setting in which the ANA test is to be used and on laboratory policy.
Continuum Models for the Thermomechanical Behavior of Discontinuously Reinforced Materials
Authors: Böhm H.J. 
Published: August 2004

AbstractContinuum micromechanical models have become important tools for understanding the thermomechanical behavior of composite materials. This work presents the most important continuum‐level approaches for modeling the thermomechanical behavior of discontinuously reinforced composites. Analytical and numerical models are covered, special emphasis being put on multi‐inclusion unit cell methods. The fields of application of the different models are discussed and selected applications are demonstrated.
Tailored Microstructures: Can a Dream come True?
Authors: Gottstein G. 
Published: August 2004

AbstractThe mechanical properties of crystalline solids are determined by the spatial distribution of chemical elements and crystal defects, which is referred to as microstructure. Microstructure changes during processing, and its evolution can be influenced by processing conditions and external fields. Advanced microstructure codes can cover the through‐process microstructural evolution and allow first predictions of terminal materials properties.
Familial insertion (3;5)(q25.3;q22.1q31.3) with deletion or duplication of chromosome region 5q22.1‐5q31.3 in ten unbalanced carriers
Authors: Arens Y.H.J.M. , Engelen J.J.M. , Govaerts L.C.P. , van Ravenswaay C.M. , Loneus W.H. , van Lent‐Albrechts J.C.M. , van der Blij‐Philipsen M. , Hamers A.J.H. , Schrander‐Stumpel C.T.R.M. 
Published: August 2004

AbstractWe report on the clinical and cytogenetic data of a large family with an unbalanced insertion translocation (3;5)(q25.3;q22.1q31.3). Analysis of GTG‐banded chromosomes demonstrated that unbalanced inheritance of a parental insertion translocation caused either a partial deletion or duplication 5q in this family. The derivative chromosomes were characterized further using microdissection and FISH with band‐specific probes. The clinical picture of the proband with a partial deletion of chromosome 5 was characterized by moderate psychomotor retardation, mild facial dysmorphism, cleft palate, and single transverse crease. The family members with a partial duplication of chromosome 5 were borderline intelligent, had mild facial dysmorphism, a cardiac anomaly, and a high‐pitched voice. The unbalanced carriers were compared with patients reported in the literature with a duplication or deletion of chromosome region 5q22.1 → 5q31.3. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A mixed epigenetic/genetic model for oligogenic inheritance of autism with a limited role for UBE3A
Authors: Jiang Yong‐hui , Sahoo Trilochan , Michaelis Ron C. , Bercovich Dani , Bressler Jan , Kashork Catherine D. , Liu Qian , Shaffer Lisa G. , Schroer Richard J. , Stockton David W. , Spielman Richard S. , Stevenson Roger E. , Beaudet Arthur L. 
Published: August 2004

AbstractThe genetic contribution to autism is often attributed to the combined effects of many loci (ten or more). This conclusion is based in part on the much lower concordance for dizygotic (DZ) than for monozygotic (MZ) twins, and is consistent with the failure to find strong evidence for linkage in genome‐wide studies. We propose that the twin data are compatible with oligogenic inheritance combined with a major, genetic or epigenetic, de novo component to the etiology. Based on evidence that maternal but not paternal duplications of chromosome 15q cause autism, we attempted to test the hypothesis that autism involves oligogenic inheritance (two or more loci) and that the Angelman gene (UBE3A), which encodes the E6‐AP ubiquitin ligase, is one of the contributing genes. A search for epigenetic abnormalities led to the discovery of a tissue‐specific differentially methylated region (DMR) downstream of the UBE3A coding exons, but the region was not abnormal in autism lymphoblasts or brain samples. Based on evidence for allele sharing in 15q among sib‐pairs, abnormal DNA methylation at the 5′‐CpG island of UBE3A in one of 17 autism brains, and decreased E6‐AP protein in some autism brains, we propose a mixed epigenetic and genetic model for autism with both de novo and inherited contributions. The role of UBE3A may be quantitatively modest, but interacting proteins such as those ubiquitinated by UBE3A may be candidates for a larger role in an oligogenic model. A mixed epigenetic and genetic and mixed de novo and inherited (MEGDI) model could be relevant to other “complex disease traits”. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Mutation analysis of the tumor suppressorPTENand the glypican 3 (GPC3) gene in patients diagnosed with Proteus syndrome
Authors: Thiffault I. , Schwartz C.E. , Der Kaloustian V. , Foulkes W.D. 
Published: August 2004

AbstractProteus syndrome is a complex hamartomatous disorder characterized by asymmetrical gigantism, epidermal nevi, vascular malformations, hamartomas, lipomas, and hyperostosis. Since the syndrome was first described, many hypotheses have been proposed to explain its occurrence. The most plausible is Happle's somatic mosaic hypothesis, but no somatic mutations in candidate genes have been reported to be clearly involved in Proteus syndrome. However, germ‐linePTENmutations have been reported in patients with Proteus and in “Proteus‐like disorders.” Other studies of patients with Proteus syndrome have not supported these findings. In this study, affected and unaffected tissue from six patients diagnosed with Proteus syndrome were screened by direct sequencing of genomic DNA to determine if there might be an association between germ‐line or somatic mutations inPTENorGPC3and the development of Proteus syndrome. No intra‐exonic mutations were identified, indicating that neitherPTENnorGPC3are likely to have major roles in the etiology of Proteus syndrome in our series of patients. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
From Weakly Coordinating to Non‐Coordinating Anions? A Simple Preparation of the Silver Salt of the Least Coordinating Anion and Its Application To Determine the Ground State Structure of the Ag(η2‐P4)2+ Cation
Authors: Bihlmeier Angela , Gonsior Marcin , Raabe Ines , Trapp Nils , Krossing Ingo 
Published: August 2004

AbstractThe unexpected but facile preparation of the silver salt of the least coordinating [(RO)3Al‐F‐Al(OR)3]− anion (R=C(CF3)3) by reaction of Ag[Al(OR)4] with one equivalent of PCl3 is described. The mechanism of the formation of Ag[(RO)3Al‐F‐Al(OR)3] is explained based on the available experimental data as well as on quantum chemical calculations with the inclusion of entropy and COSMO solvation enthalpies. The crystal structures of (RO)3Al←OC4H8, Cs+[(RO)2(Me)Al‐F‐Al(Me)(OR)2]−, Ag(CH2Cl2)3+[(RO)3Al‐F‐Al(OR)3]− and Ag(η2‐P4)2+[(RO)3Al‐F‐Al(OR)3]− are described. From the collected data it will be shown that the [(RO)3Al‐F‐Al(OR)3]− anion is the least coordinating anion currently known. With respect to the fluoride ion affinity of two parent Lewis acids Al(OR)3 of 685 kJ mol−1, the ligand affinity (441 kJ mol−1), the proton and copper decomposition reactions (−983 and −297 kJ mol−1) as well as HOMO level and HOMO–LUMO gap and in comparison with [Sb4F21]−, [Sb(OTeF5)6]−, [Al(OR)4]− as well as [B(RF)4]− (RF=CF3 or C6F5) the [(RO)3Al‐F‐Al(OR)3]− anion is among the best weakly coordinating anions (WCAs) according to each value. In contrast to most of the other cited anions, the [(RO)3Al‐F‐Al(OR)3] anion is available by a simple preparation in conventional inorganic laboratories. The least coordinating character of this anion was employed to clarify the question of the ground state geometry of the Ag(η2‐P4)2+ cation (D2h, D2 or D2d?). In agreement with computational data and NMR spectra it could be shown that the rotation along the Ag‐(P‐P‐centroid) vector has no barrier and that the structure adopted in the solid state depends on packing effects which lead to an almost D2h symmetric Ag(η2‐P4)2+ cation (0 to 10.6° torsion) for the more symmetrical [Al(OR)4]− anion, but to a D2 symmetric Ag(η2‐P4)2+ cation with a 44° twist angle of the two AgP2 planes for the less symmetrical [(RO)3Al‐F‐Al(OR)3]− anion. This implies that silver back bonding, suggested by quantum chemical population analyses to be of importance, is only weak.
Controlling the Conformation of Arylamides: Computational Studies of Intramolecular Hydrogen Bonds between Amides and Ethers or Thioethers
Authors: Doerksen Robert J. , Chen Bin , Liu Dahui , Tew Gregory N. , DeGrado William F. , Klein Michael L. 
Published: August 2004

AbstractThe role of anortho‐alkylthioether group in controlling the conformation around the ringN bonds ofmeta‐connected arylamide oligomers is studied. Density functional theory (DFT) geometries of model compounds, including acetanilide, an ether acetanilide, and a thioether acetanilide, and their corresponding diamides, show that for either monoamide or diamide the alkyl side chain of the thioether should be perpendicular to the aryl plane, whereas for the ether monoamide, the alkyl side chain is in the aryl plane. DFT ringN torsional potentials and constrained geometries of the model compounds demonstrate that carbonylS repulsion leads to a high torsional barrier and that intramolecular NH⋅⋅⋅S and CH⋅⋅⋅O hydrogen bonds and ring–amide conjugation lead to NH having a preferred orientation in the benzene plane pointing towards S. The NH bond lengthens and theortho‐ring CH bond shortens in a regular pattern in the approach to the preferred orientation. Calculated IR frequencies for the NH stretch show a clear red shift between model compounds without and with the thioether side chain.
Zeolite Nanocrystals Inside Mesoporous TUD‐1: A High‐Performance Catalytic Composite
Authors: Waller Peter , Shan Zhiping , Marchese Leonardo , Tartaglione Guiseppina , Zhou Wuzong , Jansen Jacobus C. , Maschmeyer Thomas 
Published: August 2004

AbstractA hierarchically structured composite material with interconnecting meso‐ and micropores has been developed with the aim to optimize zeolite performance. A general synthetic method has been developed that, in a controlled manner, allows for various types of nanosized zeolite to be incorporated into a three‐dimensional mesoporous matrix. Nanosized zeolite Beta was used to exemplify this new approach, resulting in a system in which zeolite Beta shows a higher cracking activity per gram of zeolite than pure nanosized zeolite Beta for the model feed n‐hexane. Additionally, FTIR studies of CO and NH3 adsorption revealed that the nature of the acid sites in the nanozeolite has been partially modified due to the interactions with the mesoporous matrix, TUD‐1.
A New Method for Simultaneous Estimation of Micellization Parameters from Conductometric Data
Authors: Jalšenjak Nenad , Težak Đurđica 
Published: August 2004

AbstractA simple method for determination of the counterion binding parameter (α) and aggregation number (N) from conductivity data is proposed. The method is based on fitting the values of the first derivative of conductivity (κ) versus total surfactant concentration (ct) function according to the equation derived from the mass action model (MAM) by using different conductivity models. Sodium dodecylsulphate (SDS) and dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide (DTAB) were chosen for validation of the proposed method. It was shown that the method gives a fairly accurate values for micellisation parameters of SDS (N=51–64, α=0.74–0.75) and DTAB (N=56–62, α=0.77–0.79), both in good agreement with the literature data. In addition, application of the proposed method does not require the value of the critical micelle concentration (cmc).
Mechanism and use of the commercially available viability stain, BacLight
Authors: Stocks S. M. 
Published: August 2004

AbstractBackgroundBacLight (Molecular Probes, Eugene, OR, USA) is a popular fluorescence‐based two‐component stain for determining bacterial cell viability. The main purpose of this work was to fully elucidate the mechanism and to determine why it is sometimes reported that cells stain simultaneously live and dead.MethodsSolutions of DNA were stained with the two components, propidium iodide (PI) and SYTO9, in different combinations, and fluorescence spectra were collected.ResultsKPI and KSYTO9 were approximately 3.7 × 105/M and 1.8 × 105/M. SYTO9 emissions were stronger and overlapped those of PI. Fluorescence resonance energy transfer from SYTO9 to PI was observed. It was, even under normal conditions, possible for DNA bound SYTO9 to have a component in the red region equal to that of DNA bound PI. Potentially confusing emissions were also found to occur when PI was not in sufficient excess to saturate nucleic acid (>0.4 M PI to 1 M DNA base pairs).ConclusionsThe mechanism is a combination of displacement of SYTO9 by PI and quenching of SYTO9 emissions by fluorescence resonance energy transfer. Confusing results can occur if the relative intensities of the stains or the concentration of PI relative to nucleic acid are not properly accounted for. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.