bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Coating films prepared by photoreactions of the surface‐modified diamond powder and PET film with a binder agent
Authors: Hsu Ying‐Gev , Su Xing‐Wei , Lin Kuan‐Hung , Wan Yen‐Shen , Chen Jhih‐Cheng , Guu Jan‐An , Tsai Pi‐Chen
Published: July 2010

The surface‐modified diamond and PET film underwent photopolymerization rapidly with a binder agent to afford coating films of interpenetrating network (IPN) structure. The coating films thus formed exhibit higher tensile strength, thermal stability, and adhesion strength to the PET film. The inert surfaces of pristine diamond (PD) and PET film were modified by different chemicals and procedures to introduce epoxide and methacryloyl groups, respectively, on their surfaces. A coating agent consisting of an epoxide group containing modified diamond (called ED), a binder agent, and photoinitiators was prepared. After applying the coating agent to the substrate (a glass plate or a methacryloyl group containing PET film, MMA‐PET) and degassing under reduced pressure, the thin film of the coating agent was exposed to UV light (λmax; 365 nm) at room temperature to yield a coating film of IPN‐structure. The tensile strength and thermal properties of the ED‐containing free coating film (called free film) increased with the amount of ED embedded, whereas the strength of the PD‐containing free film decreased with the amount of PD embedded. The adhesion strength of the coating film on the MMA‐PET improved significantly by the free radical polymerization of the methacryloyl groups on the MMA‐PET and the acrylate resin in the binder agent. The surface photoreactions of ED and MMA‐PET with the binder agent were confirmed by modeling. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011
Stereology‐based quantitative characterization of dispersion from TEM micrographs of polymer–clay nanocomposites
Authors: Basu Soumendra K. , Fasulo Paula D. , Rodgers William R.
Published: July 2010

Quantitative characterization of the state of dispersion and extent of exfoliation is critical in developing processing structure–property relationships in polymer–clay nanocomposites. Quantification of dispersion, exfoliation, and nanostructure in polymer–clay nanocomposites by 3D stereological parameters using image analysis of 2D transmission electron microscopy (TEM) micrographs were recently proposed. The 3D dispersion quantifying parameters are designed such that they are free of the bias associated with not sampling the true particle diameter in a 2D TEM section. In this article, the ability of the proposed 3D dispersion quantifying parameters to describe the dispersion over the entire possible range of exfoliation, and to capture independent aspects of dispersion are demonstrated by quantifying several sets of samples that were designed using a polypropylene (PP)/maleated PP/clay system. The details of the image analysis procedure, the underlying challenges, and errors involved in the segmentation process are also discussed. The 3D dispersion quantifying parameters, exfoliation number and inter‐particle distance, were critically compared against the standard 2D dispersion quantifying parameters, such as mean length, thickness, and aspect ratio. In all cases examined in this study, the sensitivity and resolution of the 3D parameters in terms of quantifying the dispersion of the nanostructure appeared comparable if not better than the standard 2D parameters. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011
Application of reactive solvents of melamine for synthesis of polyetherols with perhydro‐1,3,5‐triazine rings
Authors: Wilk Klaudia , Lubczak Jacek
Published: July 2010

The application of reactive solvents (RSs), namely hydroxymethyl derivatives of acetone for digestion of isocyanuric acid, which is insoluble in most organic solvents except for DMSO, makes the substrate available for further conversions. At this step, the incorporation of perhydro‐1,3,5‐triazine ring into RS takes place. The obtained solutions were used for synthesis of polyetherols containing perhydro‐1,3,5‐triazine rings in reaction with oxiranes: ethylene and propylene oxides. The polyetherols were then used to obtain foamed polyurethanes with enhanced thermal stability. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011
Viscosity‐molecular weight relationship for cellulose solutions in either NMMO monohydrate or cuen
Authors: Eckelt John , Knopf Anja , Röder Thomas , Weber Hedda K. , Sixta Herbert , Wolf Bernhard A.
Published: July 2010

The intrinsic viscosities, [η], of nine cellulose samples, with molar masses from 50 × 103 to 1 390 × 103 were determined in the solvents NMMO*H2O (N‐methyl morpholin N‐oxide hydrate) at 80°C and in cuen (copper II‐ethlenediamine) at 25°C. The evaluation of these results with respect to the Kuhn–Mark–Houwink relations shows that the data for NMMO*H2O fall on the usual straight line in the double logarithmic plots only for M ≤ 158 103; the corresponding [η]/M relation reads log ([η]/mL g−1) = –1.465 + 0.735 log M. Beyond that molar mass [η] remains almost constant up to M ≈ 106 and increases again thereafter. In contrast to NMMO*H2O the cellulose solutions in cuen behave normal and the Kuhn–Mark–Houwink relation reads log ([η]/mL g−1) = −1.185 + 0.735 log M. Possible reasons for the dissimilarities of the behavior of cellulose in these two solvents are being discussed. The comparison of three different methods for the determination of [η] from viscosity measurements at different polymer concentrations, c, demonstrates the advantages of plotting the natural logarithm of the relative viscosities as a function of c. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011
Doxorubicin loading and in vitro release from poly(alkylcyanoacrylate) nanoparticles produced by redox radical emulsion polymerization
Authors: Alhareth Khairallah , Vauthier Christine , Gueutin Claire , Ponchel Gilles , Moussa Fathi
Published: July 2010

The aim of this work was to explore the capacity to load an anticancer agent Doxorubicin (Dox) on new poly(alkylcyanoacrylate) (PACA) nanoparticles prepared by redox radical emulsion polymerization (RREP). These nanoparticles present several advantages compared with the previously described PACA nanoparticles obtained by anionic emulsion polymerization (AEP). Their cytotoxicity was lower and because they do not activate the complement system, they are believed to behave like stealth nanoparticles after intravenous administration. Dox was incorporated during the preparation of the nanoparticles. However, the drug molecules were degraded by cerium IV, which is a strong oxidant agent. To avoid drug degradation, Dox must be loaded by adsorption on preformed nanoparticles. Optimal loading capacity was deduced from a Scatchard's analysis of the Dox adsorption pattern. The loading performance [Loading efficiency (LE) 74%, Loading content (LC) 3.7%], the Dox release and the amount of Dox retained by the new nanoparticles 75% were similar to those of the already well described PACA nanoparticles obtained by AEP (LE 79% and LC 4.2%, drug retention capacity 75%). It can be concluded that the loading and releasing properties make the new nanoparticles an interesting carrier candidate for the in vivo delivery of Dox. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011
Peptide‐labeled supramolecular aggregates as selective doxorubicin carriers for delivery to tumor cells
Authors: Morisco Anna , Accardo Antonella , Tesauro Diego , Palumbo Rosanna , Benedetti Ettore , Morelli Giancarlo
Published: July 2010

New liposomal aggregates, prepared by combining together, in a 90:10 molar ratio, two amphiphilic monomers, one containing two hydrocarbon chains in the hydrophobic region and the anionic DOTA chelating agent as hydrophilic moiety, and the other containing the same hydrophobic moiety and the CCK8 peptide, are described. The liposomal aggregates because of the presence of the specific moiety, constituted by the CCK8 peptide, which selectively recognizes CCK receptors on tumor cells are used as drug carriers with the aim to deliver into tumor cells the appropriate antitumor drug. The drug loading content and the releasing properties of the liposomal aggregates are studied by the use of the cytotoxic doxorubicin as drug model. The doxorubicin loading content determination reveals that above 95% of the total drug was uptaken with a corresponding drug/lipid w/w ratio of 0.134. The cellular uptake of the targeted liposomal doxorubicin with respect to the self‐assembled, nonspecific, liposomal doxorubicin is evaluated using flow cytometry assays. The doxorubicin cell content for two types of cell systems, namely, A431 and HuVEC cells, for peptide derivatized liposomes was 70‐ and 8‐fold higher, respectively, than for nontargeted liposomes, indicating that the bioactive CCK8 peptide is able to enhance the doxorubicin uptake into the carcinoma cells in vitro. The cytotoxicity effect of liposomal doxorubicin on A431 cells has been assessed by MTT assays: in presence of drug amounts ranged between 250 and 1000 ng/ml, incubation with peptide derivatized liposomes showed significantly lower cell survival compared with nontargeted liposomes. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers (Pept Sci) 96: 88–96, 2011.
Influence of Cleavage Site on Global Folding of an RNA‐Cleaving DNAzyme
Authors: Lam Jeffrey C. F. , Li Yingfu
Published: July 2010

8–17 is a DNAzyme with metal‐dependent endoribonuclease activity. Recently, a variant termed 8–17NG was reported as the first nucleic acid enzyme capable of cleaving all 16 dinucleotide junctions of RNA with rate enhancements ranging from 1000‐ to 1 000 000 000‐fold over background activity. We attributed this broad‐ranging cleavage efficiency to global folding of the DNAzyme. We sought to examine the influence of dinucleotides at the cleavage site of 8–17NG on global folding by using three‐color (3c) FRET. By comparing the folding of 8–17NG with all 16 possible dinucleotide junctions, we found all examined DNAzyme–substrate constructs adopted a two‐step folding process in the presence of Mn2+, which was consistent with previous metal‐induced folding studies of 8–17. Interestingly, Mn2+ titration experiments also suggest that the second folding step is dependent on dinucleotide identity: purine–purine junctions allowed 8–17NG to fold at lower concentrations than pyrimidine–pyrimidine linkages. This finding was corroborated by RNA cleavage assays, in which the largest improvement in cleavage yield was observed in pyrimidine–pyrimidine junctions when [Mn2+] was increased. Taken together, these results support the previously observed hierarchy of 8–17 activity for different cleavage sites. Complemented by earlier sequence and structure–function studies, this investigation allowed for the first detailed examination of crucial relationships between the structural influence and junction preferences of nucleic acid‐catalyzed RNA cleavage reactions.
Pacidamycin Biosynthesis: Identification and Heterologous Expression of the First Uridyl Peptide Antibiotic Gene Cluster
Authors: Rackham Emma J. , Grüschow Sabine , Ragab Amany E. , Dickens Shilo , Goss Rebecca J. M.
Published: July 2010

The pacidamycins are antimicrobial nucleoside antibiotics produced by Streptomyces coeruleorubidus that inhibit translocase I, an essential bacterial enzyme yet to be clinically targeted. The novel pacidamycin scaffold is composed of a pseudopeptide backbone linked by a unique exocyclic enamide to an atypical 3′‐deoxyuridine nucleoside. In addition, the peptidyl chain undergoes a double inversion caused by the incorporation of a diamino acid residue and a rare internal ureido moiety. The pacidamycin gene cluster was identified and sequenced, thereby providing the first example of a biosynthetic cluster for a member of the uridyl peptide family of antibiotics. Analysis of the 22 ORFs provided an insight into the biosynthesis of the unique structural features of the pacidamycins. Heterologous expression in Streptomyces lividans resulted in the production of pacidamycin D and the newly identified pacidamycin S, thus confirming the identity of the pacidamycin biosynthetic gene cluster. Identification of this cluster will enable the generation of new uridyl peptide antibiotics through combinatorial biosynthesis. The concise cluster will provide a useful model system through which to gain a fundamental understanding of the way in which nonribosomal peptide synthetases interact.
Lymphedema beyond breast cancer
Authors: Cormier Janice N. , Askew Robert L. , Mungovan Kristi S. , Xing Yan , Ross Merrick I. , Armer Jane M.
Published: July 2010

BACKGROUND:

Secondary lymphedema is a debilitating, chronic, progressive condition that commonly occurs after the treatment of breast cancer. The purpose of the current study was to perform a systematic review and meta‐analysis of the oncology‐related literature excluding breast cancer to derive estimates of lymphedema incidence and to identify potential risk factors among various malignancies.

METHODS:

The authors systematically reviewed 3 major medical indices (MEDLINE, Cochrane Library databases, and Scopus) to identify studies (1972‐2008) that included a prospective assessment of lymphedema after cancer treatment. Studies were categorized according to malignancy, and data included treatment, complications, lymphedema measurement criteria, lymphedema incidence, and follow‐up interval. A quality assessment of individual studies was performed using established criteria for systematic reviews. Bayesian meta‐analytic techniques were applied to derive summary estimates when sufficient data were available.

RESULTS:

A total of 47 studies (7779 cancer survivors) met inclusion criteria: melanoma (n = 15), gynecologic malignancies (n = 22), genitourinary cancers (n = 8), head/neck cancers (n = 1), and sarcomas (n = 1). The overall incidence of lymphedema was 15.5% and varied by malignancy (P < .001): melanoma, 16% (upper extremity, 5%; lower extremity, 28%); gynecologic, 20%; genitourinary, 10%; head/neck, 4%; and sarcoma, 30%. Increased lymphedema risk was also noted for patients undergoing pelvic dissections (22%) and radiation therapy (31%). Objective measurement methods and longer follow‐up were both associated with increased lymphedema incidence.

CONCLUSIONS:

Lymphedema is a common condition affecting cancer survivors with various malignancies. The incidence of lymphedema is related to the type and extent of treatment, anatomic location, heterogeneity of assessment methods, and length of follow‐up. Cancer 2010. © 2010 American Cancer Society.
Characterization of L‐ascorbic acid single crystals grown from solution with different solvents
Authors: Srinivasan K. , Vanitha Devi K.
Published: July 2010

Single crystals of L‐ascorbic acid, popularly known as vitamin‐C, were grown from solutions with different solvents and solvent combinations by low temperature solution growth methods. The suitability of different solvents and solvent combinations such as acetone, ethanol, methanol, isopropyl alcohol, water, water + acetone (1:1), water + ethanol (3:1), water + isopropyl alcohol (3:1) and isopropyl alcohol + methanol (1:1) for crystal growth of L‐ascorbic acid was found out by assessing the solubility and crystallization behaviours. Solubility of L‐ascorbic acid in selected solvents and solvent combinations in a range of temperatures was determined by gravimetric method. Solution prepared with water, water + acetone (1:1), water + ethanol (3:1) and water + isopropyl alcohol (3:1) were yielded crystals with tabular, columnar and prismatic habits and their morphologies were evaluated by goniometry. Grown single crystals were characterized with various instrumental techniques such as powder X‐ray diffraction, Fourier infrared spectroscopy, optical transmittance study, differential scanning calorimetry and second harmonic generation studies. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Self‐Organized Helical Equilibria in the RFX‐Mod Reversed Field Pinch
Authors: Terranova D. , Gobbin M. , Boozer A. H. , Hirshman S. P. , Marrelli L. , Pomphrey N. , the RFX‐Mod Team
Published: July 2010

With operation at high plasma current (Ip ∼ 1.5 MA), the plasma in the RFX‐mod reversed field pinch self‐organises in a 3D helical state with almost conserved flux surfaces featuring strong electron temperature barriers. Up to now the equilibrium of such states was obtained by a perturbative solution of the Newcomb equation in toroidal geometry. This allowed for the mapping of the electron temperature, density and SXR emissivity profiles on helical flux surfaces thus proving the correlation between kinetic plasma quantities and the underlying helical magnetic topology.

In order to obtain a full 3D equilibrium reconstruction, the magnetic topology of a SHAx state has been also reconstructed with the VMEC code adapted for the RFP using experimental profiles as input data. Previous results for the axisymmetric case were used as benchmark. It is found that helical equilibria are characterised by a particular q profile with a region of zero magnetic shear as this has been found to be a key ingredient to trigger internal transport barriers (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Effects of Net Currents on the Magnetic Configuration of W7‐X
Authors: Geiger J. , Beidler C.D. , Drevlak M. , Maaßberg H. , Nührenberg C. , Suzuki Y. , Turkin Yu.
Published: July 2010

Configurations deviating from the optimum high‐mirror configuration of W7‐X may show significant bootstrap currents being detrimental for proper island divertor operation. Two basic scenarios to reconcile this are investigated with respect to equilibrium, stability and boundary structures. The first scenario with freely evolving bootstrap current realizes proper divertor operation by adjusting the vacuum magnetic field. As the bootstrap current evolves on the L/R time scale (40s) this needs long discharges. The second scenario compensates the net current by proper ECCD keeping the boundary structures basically constant sacrificing the low‐shear t ‐profile (mismatching ECCD and bootstrap current). Both scenarios seem to be viable experimental candidates. The present study needs further elaboration for more consistency between transport and equilibrium calculations (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Diffusion tensor quantification of the relations between microstructural and macrostructural indices of white matter and reading
Authors: Frye Richard E. , Liederman Jacqueline , Hasan Khader M. , Lincoln Alexis , Malmberg Benjamin , McLean John , Papanicolaou Andrew
Published: July 2010

Few researchers agree about the relationship between fronto–temporo–parietal white matter microstructure and reading skills. Unlike many previous reports, which only measured fractional anisotropy, we have also measured macroscopic volume (regional white matter tract volume) and three microstructural indices (axial, radial, and mean diffusivity) to increase interpretability of our findings. We examined the reading‐related skills and white matter structure in 10 adolescents and adults with a history of poor reading and 20 age‐matched typical readers. We applied a diffusion tensor imaging atlas‐based algorithm to major white matter pathways. The relation of white matter structural indices to reading group, hemisphere, and reading‐related skill was analyzed using linear models. White matter microstructural indices were related to performance on a sublexical decoding task, but the relations between particular microstructural indices and sublexical decoding ability and reading group were different for association (i.e., cortical–cortical) and projection (i.e., subcortical–cortical) white matter pathways. Changes in projection pathways were consistent with alterations in white matter organization and axonal size, whereas changes in association pathways were consistent with alternations in pathway complexity. Changes in macrostructure paralleled changes in microstructure. We conclude that the relations between several microstructural indices and factors related to reading ability are different for association and projection pathways. Hum Brain Mapp, 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Intestinal type adenocarcinoma of the ethmoid sinus in wood and leather workers: A retrospective study of 153 cases
Authors: Cantu Giulio , Solero Carlo L. , Mariani Luigi , Lo Vullo Salvatore , Riccio Stefano , Colombo Sarah , Pompilio Madia , Perrone Federica , Formillo Paolo , Quattrone Pasquale
Published: July 2010

Background

The purpose of our study was to identify the role of work exposure to organic dusts in patients with malignant paranasal sinus tumors.

Methods

We analyzed all patients surgically treated for a malignant paranasal sinus tumor at our institution between 1987 and 2006. All patients were specifically asked about their occupational history. The tumor site was classified as maxillary or ethmoid sinus. Adenocarcinomas were divided into intestinal type (ITAC) and non‐ITAC.

Results

The sample included 345 patients with ethmoid sinus and 301 maxillary sinus. Regarding the ethmoid sinus, we found an exposure to organic dusts in 148 of 153 patients with ITAC, in 3 of 16 patients with non‐ITAC adenocarcinoma, and in 10 of 176 patients with other tumors. Regarding the maxillary sinus, we found an exposure in 1 of 20 patients with non‐ITAC adenocarcinoma and in 4 of 281 patients with other histologies.

Conclusion

Our study demonstrates that only ethmoid ITACs have an indisputable relationship with the exposure to organic dusts. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2011
Targeting chromosomal instability and tumour heterogeneity in HER2‐positive breast cancer
Authors: Burrell Rebecca A. , Juul Nicolai , Johnston Stephen R. , Reis‐Filho Jorge S. , Szallasi Zoltan , Swanton Charles
Published: July 2010

Chromosomal instability (CIN) is a common cause of tumour heterogeneity and poor prognosis in solid tumours and describes cell–cell variation in chromosome structure or number across a tumour population. In this article we consider evidence suggesting that CIN may be targeted and may influence response to distinct chemotherapy regimens, using HER2‐positive breast cancer as an example. Pre‐clinical models have indicated a role for HER2 signalling in initiating CIN and defective cell‐cycle control, and evidence suggests that HER2‐targeting may attenuate this process. Anthracyclines and platinum agents may target tumours with distinct patterns of karyotypic complexity, whereas taxanes may have preferential activity in tumours with relative chromosomal stability. A greater understanding of karyotypic complexity and identification of methods to directly examine and target CIN may support novel strategies to improve outcome in cancer. J. Cell. Biochem. 111: 782–790, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Rap1 controls activation of the αMβ2 integrin in a talin‐dependent manner
Authors: Lim Jenson , Dupuy Aurélien G. , Critchley David R. , Caron Emmanuelle
Published: July 2010

The small GTPase Rap1 and the cytoskeletal protein talin regulate binding of C3bi‐opsonised red blood cells (RBC) to integrin αMβ2 in phagocytic cells, although the mechanism has not been investigated. Using COS‐7 cells transfected with αMβ2, we show that Rap1 acts on the β2 and not the αM chain, and that residues 732–761 of the β2 subunit are essential for Rap1‐induced RBC binding. Activation of αMβ2 by Rap1 was dependent on W747 and F754 in the β2 tails, which are required for talin head binding, suggesting a link between Rap1 and talin in this process. Using talin1 knock‐out cells or siRNA‐mediated talin1 knockdown in the THP‐1 monocytic cell line, we show that Rap1 acts upstream of talin but surprisingly, RIAM knockdown had little effect on integrin‐mediated RBC binding or cell spreading. Interestingly, Rap1 and talin influence each other's localisation at phagocytic cups, and co‐immunoprecipitation experiments suggest that they interact together. These results show that Rap1‐mediated activation of αMβ2 in macrophages shares both common and distinct features from Rap1 activation of αIIbβ3 expressed in CHO cells. J. Cell. Biochem. 111: 999–1009, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Cyclin‐dependent kinase 9 forms a complex with GATA4 and is involved in the differentiation of mouse ES cells into cardiomyocytes
Authors: Kaichi Shinji , Takaya Tomohide , Morimoto Tatsuya , Sunagawa Yoichi , Kawamura Teruhisa , Ono Koh , Shimatsu Akira , Baba Shiro , Heike Toshio , Nakahata Tatsutoshi , Hasegawa Koji
Published: July 2010

The treatment of ES cells with trichostatin A (TSA), an HDAC inhibitor, induces the acetylation of GATA4 as well as histones, and facilitates their differentiation into cardiomyocytes. Recently, we demonstrated that cyclin‐dependent kinase 9 (Cdk9), a core component of positive elongation factor‐b, is a novel GATA4‐binding partner. The present study examined whether Cdk9 forms a complex with GATA4 in mouse ES cells and is involved in their differentiation into cardiomyocytes. Mouse ES cells and Nkx2.5/GFP ES cells, in which green fluorescent protein (GFP) is expressed under the control of the cardiac‐specific Nkx2.5 promoter, were induced to differentiate on feeder‐free gelatin‐coated plates. Immunoprecipitation/Western blotting in nuclear extracts from mouse ES cells demonstrated that Cdk9 as well as cyclin T1 interact with GATA4 during myocardial differentiation. TSA treatment increased Nkx2.5/GFP‐positive cells and endogenous mRNA levels of Nkx2.5 and atrial natriuretic factor. To determine the role of Cdk9 in myocardial cell differentiation, we examined the effects of a dominant‐negative form of Cdk9 (DN‐Cdk9), which loses its kinase activity, and a Cdk9 kinase inhibitor, 5,6‐dichloro‐1‐β‐ribofuranosyl‐benzimidazole (DRB) on TSA‐induced myocardial cell differentiation. The introduction of the DN‐Cdk9 inhibited TSA‐induced increase in GFP expression in Nkx2.5/GFP ES cells. The administration of DRB into ES cells significantly inhibited TSA‐induced increase of endogenous Nkx2.5 mRNA levels in ES cells as well as GFP expression in Nkx2.5/GFP ES cells. These findings demonstrate that Cdk9 is involved in the differentiation of mouse ES cells into cardiomyocytes by interacting with GATA4. J. Cell. Physiol. 226: 248–254, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Peripheral nerve pericytes modify the blood–nerve barrier function and tight junctional molecules through the secretion of various soluble factors
Authors: Shimizu Fumitaka , Sano Yasuteru , Abe Masa‐aki , Maeda Toshihiko , Ohtsuki Sumio , Terasaki Tetsuya , Kanda Takashi
Published: July 2010

The objectives of this study were to establish pure blood–nerve barrier (BNB) and blood–brain barrier (BBB)‐derived pericyte cell lines of human origin and to investigate their unique properties as barrier‐forming cells. Brain and peripheral nerve pericyte cell lines were established via transfection with retrovirus vectors incorporating human temperature‐sensitive SV40 T antigen (tsA58) and telomerase. These cell lines expressed several pericyte markers such as α‐smooth muscle actin, NG2, platelet‐derived growth factor receptor β, whereas they did not express endothelial cell markers such as vWF and PECAM. In addition, the inulin clearance was significantly lowered in peripheral nerve microvascular endothelial cells (PnMECs) through the up‐regulation of claudin‐5 by soluble factors released from brain or peripheral nerve pericytes. In particular, bFGF secreted from peripheral nerve pericytes strengthened the barrier function of the BNB by increasing the expression of claudin‐5. Peripheral nerve pericytes may regulate the barrier function of the BNB, because the BNB does not contain cells equivalent to astrocytes which regulate the BBB function. Furthermore, these cell lines expressed several neurotrophic factors such as NGF, BDNF, and GDNF. The secretion of these growth factors from peripheral nerve pericytes might facilitate axonal regeneration in peripheral neuropathy. Investigation of the characteristics of peripheral nerve pericytes may provide novel strategies for modifying BNB functions and promoting peripheral nerve regeneration. J. Cell. Physiol. 226: 255–266, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Development of fluoroapatite chromatography for the purification of monoclonal antibody
Authors: Ng Paul K. , Yoshitake Tomohiko , Snyder Mark A.
Published: July 2010

Monoclonal antibody was purified from tissue culture fluid using ceramic fluoroapatite chromatography. Efficiency of the capture step was shown to be sensitive to pH and phosphate concentration. More than 90% of host cell proteins were removed by ceramic fluoroapatite chromatography. Studies regarding pH control and metal adsorption are presented.
Degradation of Hyper‐Branched Poly(ethylenimine)‐graft‐poly(caprolactone)‐block‐monomethoxyl‐poly(ethylene glycol) as a Potential Gene Delivery Vector
Authors: Liu Yu , Steele Terry , Kissel Thomas
Published: July 2010

Water‐soluble hyper‐branched poly(ethylenimine)‐graft‐poly(caprolactone)‐block‐monomethoxyl‐poly(ethylene glycol) cationic copolymers (hy‐PEI‐PCL‐mPEG) have shown potential for gene delivery. The degradation behavior of this type of copolymer is studied. Effects of the molecular weight of the hyper‐branched PEI (hy‐PEI), and the length of the mPEG and PCL blocks are investigated. The degradation is mainly monitored by the changes of molecular weight by GPC‐MALLS. The molecular weight changes of the copolymers in different aqueous solutions have been characterized as a function of incubation time at 37°C from 0 to 45 d. The micelle size and pH value have also been recorded accordingly to monitor the degradation in water. The investigation reveals that copolymers containing hy‐PEI2k degrade faster than others containing hy‐PEI10k and hy‐PEI25k based on the same mPEG‐PCL block, while copolymers those contain mPEG5k degrade faster than those containing mPEG2k and mPEG0.55k based on the same PCL segments and hy‐PEI. An inhibitory effect of acidic conditions and acceleration in basic media have been found for degradation in different buffers. A higher ionic strength of the buffer accelerated the degradation. The molecular weight of copolymer is reduced to 95% within one day with 10 mg·mL−1 of lipase while 70% remains with 5 mg·mL−1 of lipase. These investigations suggest that the degradation of hy‐PEI‐PCL‐mPEG can be designed and the degradation period is reasonable for gene‐transfer in vivo.

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Aberrant expression of LMO4 induces centrosome amplification and mitotic spindle abnormalities in breast cancer cells
Authors: Montañez‐Wiscovich Marjorie E , Shelton Melissa D , Seachrist Darcie D , Lozada Kristen L , Johnson Emhonta , Miedler John D , Abdul‐Karim Fadi W , Visvader Jane E , Keri Ruth A
Published: July 2010

The LIM‐only protein, LMO4, is a transcriptional modulator overexpressed in breast cancer. It is oncogenic in murine mammary epithelium and is required for G2/M progression of ErbB2‐dependent cells as well as growth and invasion of other breast cancer cell types. However, the mechanisms underlying the oncogenic activity of LMO4 remain unclear. Herein, we show that LMO4 is expressed in all breast cancer subtypes examined and its expression level correlates with the degree of proliferation of such tumours. In addition, we have determined that LMO4 silencing induces G2/M arrest in cells from various breast cancer subtypes, suggesting that LMO4 action in the cell cycle is not restricted to a single breast cancer subtype. This arrest was accompanied by increased cell death, amplification of centrosomes, and formation of abnormal mitotic spindles. Consistent with its ability to positively and negatively regulate the formation of active transcription complexes, overexpression of LMO4 also resulted in an increase in centrosome number. Centrosome amplification has been shown to prolong the G2/M phase of the cell cycle and induce apoptosis; thus, we conclude that supernumerary centrosomes mediate the G2/M arrest and cell death in LMO4‐deficient cells. Furthermore, the correlation of centrosome amplification with genomic instability suggests that the impact of dysregulated LMO4 on the centrosome cycle may promote LMO4‐induced tumour formation. Copyright © 2010 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Functionalization of Carbon Nanotubes by Corona‐Discharge Induced Graft Polymerization for the Reinforcement of Epoxy Nanocomposites
Authors: Xu Lihua , Fang Zhengping , Song Ping'an , Peng Mao
Published: July 2010

Corona discharge treatment at atmospheric pressure was applied to initiate the graft polymerization of 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate onto the surface of multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). The results indicated that MWCNTs were encapsulated by poly(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA). The blue shift and the increased ID/IG value of the Raman spectra confirmed the covalent attachment of PHEMA onto the surface of the MWCNTs. The grafting degree depended on the processing time of corona discharge, as demonstrated by thermogravimetric analysis. The dispersibility of the PHEMA grafted MWCNTs (PHEMA‐g‐CNTs) in ethanol was dramatically improved. It was also found that PHEMA‐g‐CNTs can improve the dynamic mechanical and mechanical properties of the nanocomposites more effectively than the pristine MWCNTs.

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Robotic‐assisted single‐incision laparoscopic partial cecectomy
Authors: Ragupathi Madhu , Ramos‐Valadez Diego I. , Pedraza Rodrigo , Haas Eric M.
Published: July 2010

Background

Single‐incision laparoscopic surgery is an emerging approach in the field of minimally invasive colon and rectal surgery. This modality utilizes a ‘scarless’ incision concealed within the umbilicus, and results in improved cosmesis with the potential for reduced trauma, pain and length of hospital stay. However, unique technical challenges have curbed its adaptation. Robotic‐assisted technique may help overcome these limitations when applied to the single‐incision approach.

Methods

A robotic‐assisted single‐incision laparoscopic partial cecectomy was performed using the da Vinci® robot and the GelPOINT™ access device. Modifications of the robotic set‐up were utilized to optimize the technique. The robotic instruments were crossed below the abdominal wall to minimize internal conflict and maximize range of motion. Control of the robotic arms was reassigned on the robotic console to create a more intuitive surgical approach. The robotic camera was rotated and positioned vertically to reduce external conflict and enhance visualization.

Results

Robotic‐assisted single‐incision laparoscopic partial cecectomy was performed in a 53 year‐old male without complication or need for conversion. The procedure required 120 min with an estimated blood loss of < 50 ml. Pathology revealed a sessile tubular adenoma of the cecum. The length of hospital stay was 2 days and no complications were encountered. The patient returned with a well‐healed 2.5 cm incision and no postoperative complications at 6 weeks follow‐up.

Conclusions

With appropriate modifications, robotic‐assisted single‐incision laparoscopic surgery may be applicable as a minimally invasive modality for partial colectomy. Further studies are warranted to establish the safety, efficacy, benefits, and limits of this technique. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Psychological stress accelerates the onset of tumour formation and alters the type and location of tumours in a DMBA mouse carcinogenesis model
Authors: Flint Melanie , McCarty Kenneth , Jenkins Frank , Conrads Thomas , Sun Mai , Baum Andrew
Published: July 2010

Psychological stress is recognized as a factor that contributes to increased susceptibility to a number of diseases, including cancer. Psychological stress, via release of chemical mediators, can induce long‐term changes in the organism resulting in an altered responsiveness of the organism to external carcinogens. The present investigation sought to evaluate the impact of stress on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH)‐induced carcinogenesis. We utilized a repetitive restraint stress mouse model and the model PAH, 7,12‐dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA). Restraint stress was applied three times a week for 6 weeks and DMBA was administered intra‐gastrically once a week for 6 weeks and formation of skin, mammary and ovarian tumours was examined at 26 weeks by pathological analyses. The results indicate that stress accelerates the onset of tumour formation produced in response to DMBA and significantly influences the type and location of tumours. Taken together, these results demonstrate that stress enhances the carcinogenicity of DMBA. These results clearly indicate the need for further characterization of the impact of stress on carcinogen metabolism in oncology. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of reagent type on the acetylation of barley and maize starches
Authors: Nuñez‐Santiago Carmen , Garcia‐Suarez Francisco J.L. , Roman‐Gutierrez Alma Delia , Bello‐Pérez Luis A.
Published: July 2010

The objective of this work was to study the effect of reagent type on properties of acetylated barley starch (BS) and maize starch (MS) after modification with acetic anhydride (AA) and vinyl acetate (VA) at similar molar concentration for mole of glucose of both reagents. Degree of substitution (DS), morphological characteristics and granule size distribution, gelatinization and retrogradation, pasting properties, and X‐ray diffraction pattern were evaluated. Acetylation disturbs the short and long range order, and the effect was higher with AA than VA, and for BS than MS. This is due to the higher DS determined in AA–BS. In the pasting profile, acetylated starch showed the maximum peak viscosity at lower temperature, this effect was strongest for BS and anhydride acetic‐acetylation. Differential scanning calorimetry showed decrease in gelatinization parameters in acetylated starches (temperatures and enthalpy), and retrogradation was suppressed by acetylation. This effect was stronger in starches acetylated with AA despite their higher DS. This pattern can be explained from the occurrence of surface effects in acetylation with AA.
Transplanted Oligodendrocytes and Motoneuron Progenitors Generated from Human Embryonic Stem Cells Promote Locomotor Recovery After Spinal Cord Transection
Authors: Erceg Slaven , Ronaghi Mohammad , Oria Marc , García Roselló Mireia , Aragó Maria Amparo Pérez , Lopez Maria Gomez , Radojevic Ivana , Moreno-Manzano Victoria , Rodríguez-Jiménez Francisco-Javier , Shanker Bhattacharya Shom , Cordoba Juan , Stojkovic Miodrag
Published: July 2010

Human embryonic stem cells (hESC) hold great promise for the treatment of patients with many neurodegenerative diseases particularly those arising from cell loss or neural dysfunction including spinal cord injury. This study evaluates the therapeutic effects of transplanted hESC-derived oligodendrocyte progenitors (OPC) and/or motoneuron progenitors (MP) on axonal remyelination and functional recovery of adult rats after complete spinal cord transection. OPC and/or MP were grafted into the site of injury in the acute phase. Based on Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan scores recovery of locomotor function was significantly enhanced in rats treated with OPC and/or MP when compared with control animals. When transplanted into the spinal cord immediately after complete transection, OPC and MP survived, migrated, and differentiated into mature oligodendrocytes and neurons showing in vivo electrophysiological activity. Taken together, these results indicate that OPC and MP derived from hESC could be a useful therapeutic strategy to repair injured spinal cord.
Robot soccer
Authors: Sammut Claude
Published: July 2010

Robot soccer is a test bed for a variety of robotic and Artificial Intelligence (AI) methods. Its relevance to Cognitive Science is that it confronts the designer with a task that requires the integration of almost all aspects of AI to create an agent that is capable of working in a complex, dynamic environment inhabited by other agents, some of which are cooperative and others competitive. We describe the main elements that make up a robot soccer player and how these players associate to create effective teams. We pay special attention to the architecture of the players. WIREs Cogn Sci 2010 1 824–833

This article is categorized under:

Computer Science > Robotics

Psychology > Theory and Methods
Angular Momentum in Quantum Physics
Authors: Biedenharn L. C. , Louck James D. , Carruthers Peter A.
Published: July 2010

This 1985 text develops the theory of angular momentum from the viewpoint of a fundamental symmetry in nature and shows how this concept relates to applied areas of research in modern quantum physics.
Stocking rate effects on metabolizable energy intake and grazing behaviour of Tan sheep in steppe grassland on the Loess Plateau of Northwest China
Authors: CHEN X. J. , HOU F. J. , MATTHEW C. , HE X. Z.
Published: July 2010

A simulated grazing system was set up in Huanxian County, Gansu province, on the Loess Plateau of Northwest China, involving the purchase of 18-month-old wether lambs in June of each year atc. 20 kg body weight (BW) and sale 6 months later atc. 35 kg BW. Three stocking rate (SR) treatments of 2·7, 5·3 and 8·7 wether lambs/ha were evaluated on geographically separated warm season (WS) and cold season (CS) paddocksc. 1 km apart; 3 years' data are reported (2004–2006). The metabolizable energy (ME) yield of the grazing system, calculated from the weight of animals fed and their weight gain, averaged 1·7, 3·3 and 4·7 GJ/ha/year for 2004, 2005 and 2006, respectively, in the WS and 0·9, 1·9, and 2·7 GJ/ha/year, respectively, in the CS for SR of 2·7, 5·3 and 8·7 animals/ha. Detailed grazing behaviour records were kept in order to elucidate intake dynamics. In these grazing systems, bite weight was typicallyc. 0·04 g/bite, lower than for temperate grazing systems at comparable herbage mass. A hypothesis for further study is proposed that this may relate to the distribution of a similar herbage mass over a greater sward height range in steppe vegetation than in temperate grass pasture. Sheep increased their bite rate (bites/min) and the number of steps/min at higher SR to compensate, such that intake/animal was reduced by not more than 10% with a threefold increase in SR. At higher SR, herbage ground cover on grazed plots was still lower than on ungrazed plots, 1 year after a 90-day summer grazing period or a 48-day winter grazing period. The significance of the findings for management of these systems is briefly discussed.
Egalitarian Developmentalism, Communist Mobilization, and the Question of Caste in Kerala State, India
Authors: Devika J.
Published: July 2010

The article critiques the “Kerala model,” which holds up Kerala State, India, as a model that may be emulated by other developing countries, on account of its remarkable advances in social development. The dominant left in Kerala has often claimed credit for such achievements, leading to its glorification as a model for social democracy. This uncritical adoration, which has acquired the status of national commonsense in Kerala, has reduced marginalized people in Kerala, particularly the lower-caste Dalits and tribals, to a state of abjection. The present effort seeks to show how the marginalization of these social groups and their confinement to governmental categories was not a historical accident, but the effect of political strategies on the left that led to their exclusion from productive resources, and of the assertion of upper-caste agency in left-led anticaste struggle.
The intermediate wake of a body of revolution at high Reynolds numbers
Authors: JIMÉNEZ JUAN M. , HULTMARK M. , SMITS A. J.
Published: July 2010

Results are presented on the flow field downstream of a body of revolution for Reynolds numbers based on a model length ranging from 1.1 × 106 to 67 × 106. The maximum Reynolds number is more than an order of magnitude larger than that obtained in previous laboratory wake studies. Measurements are taken in the intermediate wake at locations 3, 6, 9, 12 and 15 diameters downstream from the stern in the midline plane. The model is based on an idealized submarine shape (DARPA SUBOFF), and it is mounted in a wind tunnel on a support shaped like a semi-infinite sail. The mean velocity distributions on the side opposite the support demonstrate self-similarity at all locations and Reynolds numbers, whereas the mean velocity distribution on the side of the support displays significant effects of the support wake. None of the Reynolds stress distributions of the flow attain self-similarity, and for all except the lowest Reynolds number, the support introduces a significant asymmetry into the wake which results in a decrease in the radial and streamwise turbulence intensities on the support side. The distributions continue to evolve with downstream position and Reynolds number, although a slow approach to the expected asymptotic behaviour is observed with increasing distance downstream.
International Comparative Perspectives on Heritage Language Education Policy Research
Authors: Bale Jeffrey
Published: July 2010

As awareness of the unique abilities and needs of heritage language learners has grown, so too has recent research deepened our understanding of the dynamic between language policy and heritage language education (HLE). In this article, I review HLE policy research conducted in various international contexts. I begin by reviewing ongoing debates in the policy literature over definitions and adopt a broad understanding of the term so that we can glean as much insight as possible from the comparison of international contexts. I then turn to six international regions and countries that have been the focus of recent HLE policy research. Within each region, I apply the analytic framework proposed by Ricento and Hornberger (1996) to differentiate the multiple levels at which language policy functions. Finally, I identify common themes emerging across the research in these varied contexts and conclude with suggestions for future policy-oriented HLE research.
Concurrent Verbal Reports in Second Language Acquisition Research
Authors: Bowles Melissa A.
Published: July 2010

This article provides an overview of the ways in which concurrent verbal reports, sometimes referred to as think-alouds, have been used in cognitivist second language acquisition (SLA) research. It addresses two issues related to the validity of verbal reports—reactivity and veridicality—and reviews studies that have examined the validity of verbal reports in SLA. On the basis of the results of a meta-analysis of studies comparing the performance of silent and think-aloud groups (Bowles, 2010), this article concludes with suggestions for further research into the issue of validity and recommendations for the careful use of think-alouds in research.