bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Carbohydrate analysis of floral nectar using medium infrared
Authors: Flores Ortiz Cesar Mateo , Castro Ignacio Peñalosa , Luis Barbo Hernández Portilla  , Aranda Patricia Dolores Dávila , Arizmendi Maria del Coro 
Published: September 2003

AbstractAn instrumental method based on a chemometric model of the medium region of the infrared (MIR) was developed to analyse total sugar content and the proportions of glucose, fructose and sucrose. In order to construct the model, a set of 127 standard aqueous solutions of different sugars in the concentration range 0–20% (w/v) were prepared and analysed in the interval 4900–700 cm−1. The MIR was transformed by normalisation, correction of baseline using the second derivative, and suppression of the signals of water and carbon dioxide. The region between 1150 and 950 cm−1 showed the highest correlation between signal and concentration. The correlation coefﬁcient for total sugar content was 0.956, whilst those for glucose, fructose and sucrose were 0.982, 0.972 and 0.992, respectively. The method was validated using a set of 28 samples of nectar which had been assayed by chromatographic and refractometric methods. The method shows potential utility for the prediction of nectar sugar components. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Users of oral steroids are at a reduced risk of developing irritable bowel syndrome
Authors: Huerta Consuelo , García Rodríguez Luis Alberto , Wallander Mari‐Ann , Johansson Saga 
Published: September 2003

AbstractPurposeTo study whether irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is associated with the use of oral steroids and whether there is a dose‐ or duration‐response.MethodsWe followed up a cohort of 65 270 patients aged 20–74 years old enrolled in the General Practice Research Database in the UK with at least one prescription for steroids between 1994 and 1999. We performed a nested case‐control analysis to estimate the adjusted relative risk (RR) associated with the use of steroids using unconditional logistic regression. Cases were 466 patients with a first episode of IBS during follow‐up and controls were 5000 individuals randomly selected from the study cohort.ResultsCurrent users of oral steroids presented an RR of 0.6 (95%CI: 0.4–0.9) compared to non‐users. Doses greater than 10 mg of prednisolone daily were associated with an RR of 0.4 (95%CI: 0.2–0.9). When we stratified by age, no reduced risk of IBS was apparent under the age of 40 years. The reduced risk of IBS was greater among females than males.ConclusionsOur results suggest that oral steroids can reduce the risk of a diagnosis of IBS. The apparent effect modification of age and sex deserves further research. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Living free‐radical polymerization (reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer) of 6‐[4‐(4′‐methoxyphenyl)phenoxy]hexyl methacrylate: A route to architectural control of side‐chain liquid‐crystalline polymers
Authors: Hao Xiaojuan , Heuts Johan P. A. , Barner‐Kowollik Christopher , Davis Thomas P. , Evans Evan 
Published: September 2003

AbstractSide‐chain liquid‐crystalline polymers of 6‐[4‐(4′‐methoxyphenyl)phenoxy]hexyl methacrylate with controlled molecular weights and narrow polydispersities were prepared via reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization with 2‐(2‐cyanopropyl) dithiobenzoate as the RAFT agent. Differential scanning calorimetry studies showed that the polymers produced via the RAFT process had a narrower thermal stability range of the liquid‐crystalline mesophase than the polymers formed via conventional free‐radical polymerization. In addition, a chain length dependence of this stability range was found. The generated RAFT polymers displayed optical textures similar to those of polymers produced via conventional free‐radical polymerization. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 41: 2949–2963, 2003
Amphiphilic block and statistical siloxane copolymers with antimicrobial activity
Authors: Sauvet Georges , Fortuniak Witold , Kazmierski Krzysztof , Chojnowski Julian 
Published: September 2003

AbstractStatistical and block all‐siloxane copolymers containing quaternary ammonium salt (QAS) groups with biocidal activity as lateral substituents were synthesized as models for the study of the effect of the arrangement of the QAS groups in the copolymer chain on their antimicrobial activity. The bioactive siloxane unit was [3‐n‐octyldimethylammoniopropyl]methylsiloxane, and the neutral unit was dimethylsiloxane. The copolymers also contained siloxane units with unreacted precursor 3‐chloropropyl or 3‐bromopropyl groups. A small number of units containing highly hydrophilic 3‐(3‐hydroxypropyl‐dimethylammonio)propyl groups were introduced to increase the solubility of the copolymers in water. The bioactive and bioneutral units were arranged in the polymer chain either in blocks or in statistical order. The block copolymers differed in the number and length of segments. The copolymers were obtained by the quaternization of tertiary amines by chloropropyl or bromopropyl groups attached to polysiloxane chains. The arrangement of the bioactive groups was controlled by the arrangement of the halogenopropyl groups in the bioactive copolymer precursor. All model siloxane copolymers showed high bactericidal activity in a water solution toward the gram‐negative bacteria Escherichia coli and the gram‐positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus. However, no essential differences in the activities of the copolymers with block and statistical arrangements of units were detected. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 41: 2939–2948, 2003
Covalently attached self‐assembly of ultrathin films from hydroxy‐containing porphyrin and diazoresin
Authors: Zhaohui Yang , Weixiao Cao 
Published: September 2003

AbstractUltrathin films from 5,10,15,20‐tetrakis(4‐hydroxyphenyl) porphyrin (HPP) and diazoresin (DR) via a H bonding interaction were fabricated with the self‐assembly technique. Under UV irradiation, the H bonds between the layers will convert to covalent bonds following the decomposition of the diazonium group of DR. The stability of the film against the polar solvent and electrolyte aqueous solution increases a lot because of the formation of the covalent crosslinking structure. Thus, the photoelectric conversion property of DR/HPP film can be measured directly with a normal photoelectric chemical cell with potassium chloride as the electrolyte. The maximum of the anodic photocurrent was measured as 1.7 μ Å for an eight bilayer DR/HPP film deposited on an indium–tin oxide glass electrode. The action spectrum of the photocurrent generation indicated that the HPP contained in the film is responsible for the generation of the observed photocurrent. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 41: 3103–3108, 2003
Defining the linear portion of a sigmoid‐shaped curve: bend points
Authors: Sebaugh J. L. , McCray P. D. 
Published: September 2003

AbstractFormulae are provided that define the ‘bend points’, the beginning and end of the essentially linear dose–response region, for the four‐parameter logistic model. The formulae are expressed in both response and dose units. The derivation of the formulae is shown in order to illustrate the general nature of the methodology. Examples are given that describe how the formulae may be used while planning and conducting bioassays. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Moisture sorption in moulded fibre trays and effect on static compression strength
Authors: Sørensen Gitte , Hoffmann John 
Published: September 2003

AbstractThis study provides a basic understanding of moisture sorption in moulded fibre packaging for food at varying environmental temperatures and humidities, and the resultant effects on static compression strength. The Guggenheim–Anderson–de Boer (GAB) model is used successfully to construct moisture sorption isotherms in the range 2–25°C and 33–98% relative humidity (% r.h.) (R2 = 0.949–0.999), in which moisture content varies from 5.4 to 28.3 g/100 g dry fibre. Static compression strength (SCS) is substantially affected by changes in moisture content of moulded fibre and decreases exponentially with increasing moisture content. The results indicate a minor hysteresis effect on static compression strength. For adsorption of moisture, a relative strength measure, % SCS (experimental SCS in kg divided by a standard SCS in kg), is given by % SCS = 13.83 + 166.50 · e−0.0978 m (m is moisture content). The temperature dependence of moisture adsorption is incorporated in the GAB model by relating GAB coefficients, m0 and C, exponentially to temperature, T. By combining this with the exponential model for % SCS, static compression strength can be predicted directly from the surrounding temperature and humidity. Illustrated in a response surface plot the effects of changes in the surroundings are simple and readily accessible, e.g. for packaging designers and sales people. It is noted that an increase in humidity from 50% r.h. to 95% r.h. at constant temperature results in a drastic reduction in % SCS from 100% to 40%, whereas the temperature effect is typically less than 10% SCS when reducing temperature from 25°C to 2°C. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Checking security properties by model checking
Authors: De Francesco Nicoletta , Lettieri Giuseppe 
Published: September 2003

AbstractA method is proposed for checking security properties in programs written in high‐level languages. The method is based on the model checking technique. The SMV tool is used. The representation of the program is a Kripke structure modelling the control flow graph enriched with security information. The properties considered are secure information flow and the absence of covert channels caused by program termination. The formulae expressing these security properties are given using the logic CTL. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cyst‐based toxicity tests. XVIII. Application of ostracodtoxkit microbiotest in a bioremediation project of oil‐contaminated sediments: Sensitivity comparison with Hyalella azteca solid‐phase assay
Authors: Chial Belgis Z. , Persoone Guido , Blaise Christian 
Published: September 2003

AbstractTo further validate the scope of use of the 6‐day sediment contact microbiotest conducted with the ostracod Heterocypris incongruens, we compared the sensitivity of this small‐scale culture/maintenance‐free assay with the 14‐day solid‐phase Hyalella azteca test. The present study was undertaken within the framework of a Canadian bioremediation project on oil‐contaminated freshwater sediments along an intertidal shoreline of the Saint‐Lawrence River near the town of Sainte‐Croix, Quebec, Canada. Sediment subsamples, collected during three sampling periods over 21 weeks from five plots (each with four replicates) contaminated with different treatments, were analyzed for their toxic effects on the two test species. Sediment samples taken immediately after the plots were spread with oil were very toxic to both crustaceans (mortality between 80% and 100%), but the mortality of the amphipods was substantially lower than that of the ostracods for samples collected after 6 weeks. Fifteen weeks after the onset of the controlled oil spill experiment, the sediments of all plots were still quite toxic to Heterocypris but not to Hyalella. Statistical analysis of the mortality figures was performed by Blaise et at. (2003) and revealed a statistically significant correlation (R = 0.584 at the P = 0.001 level) between data pairs. Analysis of the precision of the two assays showed a substantially higher uniformity (lower variation coefficients between the four replicas) of the ostracod results over that of the amphipod assay. This study corroborated the findings of two previous investigations conducted in Canada and in Belgium with the same test species. All three investigations concur in pointing out the potential of the new ostracod microbiotest as a reliable and sensitive ecotoxicological test for routine and low‐cost monitoring of contaminated sediments. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 18: 279–283, 2003.
Application of a toxicity identification evaluation for a sample of effluent discharged from a dyeing factory in Hong Kong
Authors: Chan Y. K. , Wong C. K. , Hsieh D. P. H. , Ng S. P. , Lau T. K. , Wong P. K. 
Published: September 2003

AbstractA first toxicity identification evaluation (TIE) was conducted in three phases using the Microtox® test to identify the major toxicant(s) in effluent discharged from a dyeing plant in Hong Kong. In Phase I toxicity characterization indicated that anions were likely to be the major toxicants for the entire effluent. In Phase II concentrations of sulfite and other anions in the original and the anion exchange resin‐treated effluent samples were determined by ion chromatography. Anions, which were found in the effluent at comparatively high concentrations and were suspected of being responsible for the toxicity to luminescent bacteria, were selected for further study in Phase III. Investigation in Phase III using the spiking and mass balance approaches confirmed that the sulfite ion was the major toxicant in the effluent. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 18: 312–316, 2003.
Fluoride contamination of aquifers in the southeast subhumid pampa, Argentina
Authors: Paoloni J. D. , Fiorentino C. E. , Sequeira M. E. 
Published: September 2003

AbstractA diagnostic survey was carried out of the groundwater in the southeast subhumid pampa of Argentina in order to determine the presence, spatial distribution, and concentration of fluoride. The area studied extends along the southeastern border of the pampa plains between latitude 38°18′ and 38°58′ S and longitude 60°43′ and 61°43′ W, covering an irregular surface area of approximately 6000 km2. The region has a large rural and suburban population that relies on this groundwater as its principal source of water for human consumption and for use in agricultural and livestock production. The variation in fluoride content in the groundwater is illustrated on maps of the area, showing that the whole region is affected by this ion contaminant. In 97.1% of the samples fluoride values exceeded the limits recommended by the Argentine Food Code for human consumption and indicated that the use of the water in livestock should be restricted. The quality of the water for irrigation purposes also was seriously affected. Critically affected zones were identified with a view to implementing public health measures to protect against this highly contaminated resource. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 18: 317–320, 2003.
Peer and adult relationships of adolescents with disabilities
Authors: Lisa Skär R.N. 
Published: September 2003

ABSTRACTThe purpose of this study was to enhance our knowledge of what it is like to grow up with a disability, specifically, with focus on how adolescents with restricted mobility perceive social roles and relationships to peers and adults. The group investigated consisted of 12 adolescents with restricted mobility from northern Sweden, aged from 15 to 19 years. The adolescents were individually interviewed. The analysis resulted in a core category (Who am I), which describes how the adolescents perceive themselves. The core category was related to three subcategories:Relationships to friends—describes the adolescents’ experiences of peer relationships,Relationships to adults—describes adolescents’ relationships to adults,Thoughts about relationships in the future—comprises wishes for future relationships. The results indicated that the 12 disabled adolescents saw themselves as regular members of the adolescent peer group but that the members of the adolescent group saw them as being different. The relationships to friends of the same age were either markedly defective or did not exist at all, while relationships to adults were often characterized as ambivalent or asymmetric, i.e. the adults were simultaneously helpful and supportive while over protective and dominant. The study revealed that despite the many hindrances, the adolescents had a comparatively positive view of their future.
Trends in age-at-maturity and growth parameters of female Northeast Atlantic harp seals, Pagophilus groenlandicus (Erxleben, 1777)
Authors: Kirstine Frie Anne , Potelov Vladimir A , Kingsley Michael C.S , Haug Tore 
Published: September 2003

AbstractWe analyzed and compared trends in age-at-maturity and body growth in the Greenland Sea and Barents Sea stocks of harp seals, Pagophilus groenlandicus, from the early 1960s to the early 1990s. Mean and median age at sexual maturity (MAMPM and MdAM) were estimated from Richards curves fit to age-specific proportions mature. No long-term trends were found in the Greenland Sea seals, where a common value of MAMPM (5.6 years) and MdAM (4.8 years) could be fit to samples from 1959 through 1990. There were also no significant changes in length-at-age of molting females between 1964 and 1987. For Barents Sea harp seals, MAMPM increased significantly from 5.4 years in the period 1962–1972 to 6.6 years in 1976–1985 and 8.2 years in 1988–1993, concurrently with a decline in body growth rates. Tests on MdAM also showed an increasing trend, but the grouping of samples was slightly different. Estimates of MAMPM for the Barents Sea stock were similar to previously published back-calculated values of MAM, but simulations showed that this method is sensitive to the age distribution of the sample, thus complicating comparisons between samples with different age structures. The high values of MAMPM and low growth rates in the Barents Sea stock in the late 1980s to early 1990s coincided with severe depletion of important prey species in the Barents Sea, reports of mass invasions of harp seals along the Norwegian coast and indications of reduced body condition. All these are consistent with a hypothesis of reduced per-capita resource levels within the distribution area of Barents Sea harp seals at that time, but no cause-and-effect relationship for the long-term trend in age-at-maturity can be established.
Plasticity of the response of fetal mouse fibroblast to lactation hormones
Authors: Wang Sen , Zhang Jingpu , Geng Yanyan , Zhu Shaoxia 
Published: September 2003

AbstractIn the work described in this article, mouse fetal fibroblasts were treated with three lactation hormones (insulin, progesterone and oxytocin) and the cellular changes were analyzed by RT—PCR—Southern hybridization. A gene‐expression pattern characteristic of mammary epithelioid cells was induced by the hormones, as indicated by expression of the marker genes α‐casein and β‐casein. Two mammary epithelial cell‐specific gene expression vectors were constructed with bovine α‐s1‐casein or ovine β‐casein gene promoters directing an EGFP reporter gene. Transient expression of the EGFP gene was observed in cells treated by the hormones but not in control cells. Cell morphology also changed after insulin and oxytocin treatments; the cells resembled epithelial cells rather than fibroblasts. Our results suggest that mouse fetus fibroblasts can be partially induced by lactation hormones to resemble mammary epithelial cells. This procedure might help to increase the efficiency of gene targeting in studies of mammary gland bioreactors.
What is the role of medium‐chain triglycerides in the management of long‐chain 3‐hydroxyacyl‐CoA dehydrogenase deficiency?
Authors: Lund A. M. , Dixon M. A. , Vreken P. , Leonard J. V. , Morris A. A. M. 
Published: September 2003

AbstractCardiomyopathy is common in infants with long‐chain 3‐hydroxy‐acyl‐CoA dehydrogenase deficiency. Resolution of the cardiomyopathy can often be achieved by avoidance of fasting and changing from a conventional infant formula to one in which most long‐chain fat is replaced by medium‐chain triglycerides (MCT). It is uncertain whether the clinical improvement is due to the restriction of long‐chain fat or whether the MCT have specific beneficial effects. To clarify this, the metabolic effects of MCT were examined in 5 patients. When given at around the level found in MCT‐based infant formula, MCT had no effect on blood concentrations of ketone bodies, specific fatty acids or acylcarnitines. The present study cannot, however, exclude the possibility that MCT per se may have beneficial effects.
Bone mineral density in children, adolescents and adults with glycogen storage disease type Ia: A cross‐sectional and longitudinal study
Authors: Rake J. P. , Visser G. , Huismans D. , Huitema S. , Van Der Veer E. , Piers D. A. , Smit G. P. A. 
Published: September 2003

AbstractThe occurrence of (symptoms related to) osteopenia is a known complication in glycogen storage disease type Ia (GSD Ia) patients. However, only limited information is available about bone mineral density (BMD). Using dual energy x‐ray absorptiometry, we studied both cross‐sectional and longitudinal lumbar spine areal BMD (BMDareal in g/cm2), areal BMD corrected for delayed bone maturation (BMDbone age in g/cm2), and volumetric BMD (BMDvol in g/cm3). Prepubertal GSD Ia patients (n = 8) had normal BMD (median z‐scores BMDareal ‐0.6, BMDbone age ‐0.5 and BMDvol ‐ 0.5), whereas adolescent patients (n = 12) and adult patients (n = 9) had significantly reduced BMD (BMDareal ‐2.3, BMDbone age ‐1.6, BMDvol ‐2.0, and BMDareal ‐1.9, BMDvol‐1.5, respectively). Our longitudinal study, showing a stable BMDareal but a trend to a decrease in BMDvol in prepubertal patients during follow‐up, did not clarify whether the difference in BMD between prepubertal and adolescent/adult patients reflects a diminished accretion of BMD during childhood or reflects historica l differences in treatment. In adolescent and adult GSD Ia patients, BMDareal and BMDvol were reduced but stable during follow‐up. Especially patients with delayed bone maturation were at risk for reduced BMD. No correlation between parameters of metabolic control and BMD could be detected. Daily calcium intake was within recommended allowances ranges. Abnormal biochemical results included hypomagnesaemia (29%), hypercalciuria (34%) and reduced tubular resorption of phosphate (21%).Although the underlying pathophysiology of reduced BMD in GSD Ia remains unsolved, metabolic control should be optimized to correct as much as possible metabolic and endocrine abnormalitie s that may influence both bone matrix formation and bone mineral accretion.
A case of mitochondrial trifunctional protein deficiency diagnosed by acylcarnitine profile and DNA analysis in a dried blood spot of a 4‐day‐old boy
Authors: Lee J. ‐E. , Yoon H. ‐R. , Paik K. ‐H. , Hwang S. ‐J. , Shim J. ‐W. , Chang Y. ‐S. , Park W. ‐S. , Strauss A. W. , Jin D. K. 
Published: September 2003

AbstractWe report a Korean case, consistent with a biochemical diagnosis of trifunctional protein (TFP) deficiency, in which molecular diagnosis revealed a novel mutation in the α‐subunit of TFP and the rare combination of two intergenic region (C/C and G/G) polymorphisms.
Biochemical and molecular analyses in three patients with 3‐hydroxy‐3‐methylglutaric aciduria
Authors: Pospíšilová E. , Mrázová L. , Hrdá J. , Martincová O. , Zeman J. 
Published: September 2003

AbstractTwo methods, spectrophotometry and HPLC, were compared in the analyses of 3‐hydroxy‐3‐methylglutaryl‐CoA lyase (HL) activity in three unrelated Czech patients with 3‐hydroxy‐3‐methylglutaric (HMG) aciduria and their family members. The HL activities in cultured fibroblasts and/or isolated lymphocytes of probands were below the detection limits of the methods used. Both methods were also suitable for recognition of all heterozygotes in affected families. We searched for pathogenic mutations in the HL gene. Molecular analyses revealed that two patients are homozygous for known mutation H233R and R41Q, respectively, whereas the third patient is a compound heterozygote for the mutation H233R and a novel mutation Pro9fs(−1). This study expands the knowledge of the genotypic variability of the HMG aciduria.