bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Variability of AChE, BChE, and ChAT genes in the late‐onset form of Alzheimer's disease and relationships with response to treatment with Donepezil and Rivastigmine
Authors: Scacchi Renato , Gambina Giuseppe , Moretto Giuseppe , Corbo Rosa Maria
Published: September 2008

Several factors are believed to give rise to the late onset sporadic form of Alzheimer's disease (LOAD). We have studied the variation at the genes of three enzymes of the cholinergic system: acetylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase, and choline acetyltransferase. The single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) examined were: AChE rs2571598, BChE rs1355534, BChE rs1803274, and ChAT rs2177369. The sample for the case–control study was 471 LOAD patients aged 60 years or older, and 254 subjects with no neurodegenerative disorders as the control group. A significant difference in the genotype distribution between patients and controls was observed only for ChAT rs2177369, showing that the G/G genotype was to be considered a risk factor with respect to the G/A + A/A genotypes (odds ratio = 1.56; 95% Confidence Interval = 1.10–2.22; P = 0.01). Though indicating a significant association with AD onset, our results are far from definitive since contrast with the ones reported by other authors in a previous case–control study, and call for further investigations. Among patients, 171 took part in an observational study concerning the possible role of the genetic composition on the efficacy of treatment with Donepezil and Rivastigmine. We related the SNPs of the above cited genes with cognitive status measured by MMSE. Carrying an allele or a genotype of these SNPs does not seem to play a relevant role in the response to treatment with the two cholinesterase inhibitors, though some significant results were found associated with the AChE A/A genotype that had the best response when treated with Rivastigmine. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Association studies of 22 candidate SNPs with late‐onset Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Figgins Jessica A. , Minster Ryan L. , Demirci F. Yesim , DeKosky Steven T. , Kamboh M. Ilyas
Published: September 2008

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a complex and multifactorial disease with the possible involvement of several genes. With the exception of the APOE gene as a susceptibility marker, no other genes have been shown consistently to be associated with late‐onset AD (LOAD). A recent genome‐wide association study of 17,343 gene‐based putative functional single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) found 19 significant variants, including 3 linked to APOE, showing association with LOAD (Hum Mol Genet 2007; 16:865–873). We have set out to replicate the 16 new significant associations in a large case‐control cohort of American Whites. Additionally, we examined six variants present in positional and/or biological candidate genes for AD. We genotyped the 22 SNPs in up to 1,009 Caucasian Americans with LOAD and up to 1,010 age‐matched healthy Caucasian Americans, using 5′ nuclease assays. We did not observe a statistically significant association between the SNPs and the risk of AD, either individually or stratified by APOE. Our data suggest that the association of the studied variants with LOAD risk, if it exists, is not statistically significant in our sample. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Crystalline order and mechanical properties of as‐electrospun and post‐treated bundles of uniaxially aligned polyacrylonitrile nanofiber
Authors: Esrafilzadeh Dorna , Jalili Rouhollah , Morshed Mohammad
Published: September 2008

This study investigates the crystalline order and mechanical properties of as‐electrospun and posttreated polyacrylonitrile nanofibers. To keep the nanofibers under tension during the posttreatment, a modified method of preparing bundles such as multifilament yarn was used in which the alignment of the nanofibers and linear density of the bundles were controlled successfully. An increase in the nanofibers' diameter from 240 to 500 nm led to the E modulus, ultimate strength, and elongation at break of the bundles rising from 836 MPa, 45 MPa, and 38% to 1915 MPa, 98 MPa, and 120%, respectively. The crystallinity index (%) and coherence length of the nanofiber bundles were evaluated through wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction. The mechanical properties and crystalline order of the nanofiber bundles were both increased as a result of the posttreatment. Wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction patterns of annealed bundles showed equatorial diffraction from the (1010) reflection at ∼ 5.1 Å and from the (1120) reflection at ∼ 3 Å. The values of the coherence length, crystallinity index (%), ultimate strength, and E modulus of the bundles prepared from 240‐nm nanofibers increased from negligible, 2%, 1109 MPa, and 48 MPa to 54 Å, 35%, 2235 MPa, and 95 MPa after annealing at 85°C in a mixture of water (95 wt %) and N,N‐dimethylformamide (5 wt %), respectively. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Analysis of origin to cause blowout of carbon black‐reinforced rubber composites using GC/MS
Authors: Choi Sung‐Seen , Kim Jong‐Chul , Lee Hye‐Min
Published: September 2008

To investigate the sources to cause blowout of a rubber article gaseous materials (blowout gas) generated from the NR and SBR composites by blowout and organic materials extracted from the burst region after explosion of the specimen were analyzed using GC/MS. 1‐Methyl‐4‐(1‐methylethenyl)‐cyclohexene was detected from the blowout gas of the NR vulcanizate and 4‐vinylcyclohexene and styrene were detected from the blowout gas of the SBR vulcanizate. They were the repeat units of the used rubbers and were produced by decomposition of the polymer chains. Organic additives contained in the initial specimen were not detected in the burst region after blowout but lots of hydrocarbon components were detected instead. We believe that a principal source to cause the blowout was decomposition of the polymer chain, and it leads to activation of the cavity formation in the rubber article and reduction of the resistance to the increasing interior pressure. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008.
A two‐step method for the synthesis of a hydrophilic PDMS interpenetrating polymer network
Authors: Hillerström Anna , Kronberg Bengt
Published: September 2008

A hydrophilic PDMS (polydimethylsiloxane) surface was formed by the synthesis of an interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) in a two‐step process. In the first step, PDMS was loaded with crosslinker and initiator using a solvent that swells the PDMS. In the second step, the PDMS sample was submerged into a solution containing the hydrophilic monomer followed by a UV‐polymerization step. The choice of solvent in the second step is critical to obtain a hydrophilic surface. It can be concluded that the solubility parameter of the solvent should be above a threshold value. Hence, in the second step only sufficiently polar solvents will result in hydrophilic PDMS‐IPNs. These principles are illustrated by using N‐vinyl‐2‐pyrrolidone as the hydrophilic monomer forming PVP/PDMS‐IPNs. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008.
Thermogelation of methylcellulose from solution in N,N‐dimethylformamide and characterization of the transparent gels
Authors: Singh Ratan Pal , Kundu P. P.
Published: September 2008

A transparent gel was prepared through the cooling of a methylcellulose (MC) solution in N,N‐dimethylformamide (DMF) at 80°C to a lower temperature. The temperature at which gelation occurred was dependent on the concentration of the solution. The gel temperature increased with an increase in the concentration of MC. The gelation of MC in DMF was studied by means of optical microscopy (OM), differential scanning calorimetry, and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). The OM studies revealed the presence of loosely bound beads of MC with DMF at a lower concentration. These beads became interconnected to rods, and subsequently, a continuous, thick gel was formed as the concentration increased. From DMA studies, it was observed that the loss modulus of the gel crossed over the storage modulus at two different frequencies. This indicated the presence of two types of network structures generated from the weak and strong associations of MC with the organic solvent DMF. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Hybrid siloxane epoxy coatings containing quaternary ammonium moieties
Authors: Pant Ramesh R. , Buckley James L. , Fulmer Preston A. , Wynne James H. , McCluskey D. Michelle , Phillips J. Paige
Published: September 2008

An ever increasing concern over bacterial infections caused by consumer products as well as medical devices is obvious from the recent surge in literature documenting the need for novel self‐decontaminating coatings. Within, we report a hybrid ionic organic/inorganic siloxane epoxy system containing quaternary ammonium moieties. This novel low surface energy antimicrobial coating is capable of self‐decontaminating in a variety of environments. The system is designed to be used as an over‐coating, for devices that are prone to come into contact with pathogenic bacteria. These coatings have been synthesized, characterized, and analyzed for both physical and antimicrobial properties. Preliminary antimicrobial evaluation indicates a direct correlation between antimicrobial activity and hydrophobicity of the biocidal functional group within the resin matrix. These coatings have demonstrated the ability to eliminate up to 99.9% of pathogenic bacteria on the surface. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Influence of the monomer feeding sequence on the structure and properties of thermotropic liquid‐crystalline poly(ester imide)s
Authors: Chi Zhenguo , Zhang Xiqi , Zhang Yi , Xu Jiarui
Published: September 2008

A series of poly(ester imide)s mainly derived from N,N′‐hexane‐1,6‐diylbistrimellitimides, 4,4′‐dihydroxybenzophenone, and p‐hydroxybenzoic acid were synthesized by a direct polycondensation method in benzenesulfonyl chloride, N,N′‐dimethylformamide, and pyridine with different monomer feeding sequences. The molecular structures and properties of the resultant poly(ester imide)s were characterized with NMR, IR spectrometry, polarized light microscopy, wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, and thermogravimetric analysis. The results showed that the monomer feeding sequences had a great effect on the sequential structure of the molecular chains of the copolymers and consequently on their liquid‐crystalline (LC) properties, fiber‐forming capability, and other properties. Thus, it is probable that one could obtain an LC poly(ester imide) with given properties by controlling the monomer feeding sequence during the polycondensation process. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Morphology and thermal and dielectric behavior of cycloaliphatic epoxy/trimethacrylate interpenetrating polymer networks for vacuum‐pressure‐impregnation electrical insulation
Authors: Duan Jingkuan , Kim Chonung , Yun Zheng , Jiang Pingkai
Published: September 2008

Vacuum pressure impregnation has been known as the most advanced impregnation technology that has ever been developed for large and medium high‐voltage electric machines and apparatuses. We developed one new type of vacuum‐pressure‐impregnation resin with excellent properties by means of a novel approach based on in situ sequential interpenetrating polymer networks resulting from the curing of trimethacrylate monomer [trimethylol‐1,1,1‐propane trimethacrylate (TMPTMA)] and cycloaliphatic epoxy resin (CER). In this study, the influence of the concentrations of the components and their microstructures on their thermal and dielectric behaviors were investigated for the cured CER/TMPTMA systems via atomic force microscopy, dynamic mechanical analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, and dielectric analysis. The investigation results show that the addition of TMPTMA to the CER–anhydride system resulted in the formation of a uniform and compact microstructure in the cured epoxy system. This led the cured CER/TMPTMA systems to show much higher moduli in comparison with the pure CER–anhydride system. The thermogravimetric analysis results show that there existed a decreasing tendency in the maximum thermal decomposition rates of the cured CER/TMPTMA systems, which implies that the thermal stability properties improved to some extent. The dielectric analysis results show that the cured CER/TMPTMA systems displayed quite different dielectric behaviors in the wide frequency range 0.01 Hz–1 MHz and in the wide temperature range 27–250°C compared with the cured CER–anhydride system. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Cationic water‐soluble poly(p‐phenylene vinylene) for fluorescence sensors and electrostatic self‐assembly nanocomposites with quantum dots
Authors: Zhang Yang , Yang Yan , Wang Chang‐Chun , Sun Bin , Wang Ying , Wang Xin‐Ying , Shen Qun‐Dong
Published: September 2008

A cationic water‐soluble poly(p‐phenylene vinylene) derivative (poly{2‐methoxy‐5‐[3‐(N,N,N‐ethyldimethylamino)‐1‐propoxy]‐1,4‐phenylene vinylene}bromide) was synthesized by a facile approach. The fluorescence of the conjugated polyelectrolyte was enhanced in the presence of an anionic surfactant because of the regularity of the chain conformation. Meanwhile, its emission was efficiently quenched by a trace amount (10−6 mol/L) of the iron complex Fe(CN) with pronounced quenching efficiency. The cationic conjugated polymer chains were readily assembled on the surface of negatively charged CdTe quantum dots through electrostatic attraction. The resulting nanocomposites facilitated the charge transfer between the conjugated polymers and the quantum dots because of the extensive interfacial area and intimate contact of the two components. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
A genetic‐programming‐based formulation for the strength enhancement of fiber‐reinforced‐polymer‐confined concrete cylinders
Authors: Cevik Abdulkadir , Cabalar Ali Fırat
Published: September 2008

This study addresses the availability of the genetic programming (GP) approach for the formulation of strength enhancement of FRP (fiber‐reinforced polymer) confined concrete cylinders. The GP formulation is based on experimental results collected from the literature. The accuracy of the proposed GP formulation was satisfactory compared to the experimental results. Moreover, the results of the proposed GP formulation were compared with 10 models from the literature proposed by various researchers so far and were found to be more accurate. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Synthesis and characterization of phosphorus‐containing waterborne polyurethanes: Effects of the organophosphonate content on the flame retardancy, morphology, and film properties
Authors: Chen He , Luo Yunjun , Chai Chunpeng , Wang Jiong , Li Jie , Xia Min
Published: September 2008

A series of waterborne polyurethanes (WPUs) with different contents of reactive organophosphonate were well prepared. Their structures were characterized by Fourier transform infrared and 1H‐NMR spectroscopy. Thermogravimetry and derivative thermogravimetry revealed that the WPU films containing phosphorus possessed lower onset and maximum degradation temperatures but higher char yields. Differential scanning calorimetry analysis suggested phase mixing of the hard and soft domains. The mechanical properties decreased with increasing amount of organophosphonate, whereas the limiting oxygen index results of the WPU films indicate that the flame retardancy was improved significantly by the incorporation of organophosphonate. The water uptake values of the organophosphonate‐containing WPU films were higher than those of the phosphorus‐free ones, whereas the static contact angles of the films indicated that the surface hydrophilic properties were not affected by segmenting in this phosphorus‐containing oligomer. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Effect of the dispersion of organic rectorite on the nonisothermal crystallization kinetics and melting behaviors of nylon 6 nanocomposites
Authors: Yue Shaojie , Gong Wei , Qi Ning , Wang Bo , Zhou Wei , Zhu Yuchan
Published: September 2008

The effects of the dispersion of organic rectorite (OREC) and the cooling rate on the crystallization behavior of nylon 6/OREC nanocomposites have been systematically investigated with X‐ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and the modified Ozawa model. Some important parameters have been calculated, including the crystallization half‐time, crystallization peak temperature, and relative crystallinity. Experimental results indicate that the crystallization rate of the nylon 6/OREC nanocomposites is faster than that of nylon 6 at a given cooling rate, and the difference in the values of the Ozawa exponent for nylon 6 and nylon 6/OREC nanocomposites reveals tridimensional growth with heterogeneous nucleation. The analysis of the Ozawa exponent m has suggested that the better the dispersion of OREC is, the more suitable it will be for the formation of spherulitic growth. On the other hand, in analyses of the melting behavior, we have found an unusual phenomenon: the lower the cooling rate is, the more favorable it is for the formation of the γ form. Our experimental results indicate that the dispersion of OREC plays an important role in determining the crystallization behavior of nylon 6/OREC nanocomposites. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Preparation and properties of waterborne polyurethane adhesives modified by polystyrene
Authors: Du Hui , Zhao Yuhua , Yin Ning , Li Qifeng , Wang Junwei , Kang Maoqing , Xiang Hongwei , Wang Xinkui
Published: September 2008

Waterborne polyurethane (WPU) adhesives modified by polystyrene (PS) were prepared through a prepolymer mixing process from diisocyanates, an anionic polyester, internal emulsifiers, a neutralizer, a chain extender, and PS dispersions. The latter was preformed via the in situ polymerization of styrene in poly(1,4‐butanediol adipate) diol. Transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and 1H‐NMR techniques were used to characterize the PS dispersions and polyurethane (PU)–PS prepolymer. Experimental results with respect to the performance of the PU–PS adhesives indicate that suitable PS/polyester diol weight ratios improved the mechanical properties, thermal stability, water resistance, and initial adhesive strength of the pristine WPU adhesives. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Multilayer composite surfaces prepared by an electrostatic self‐assembly technique with quaternary ammonium salt and poly(acrylic acid) on poly(acrylonitrile‐co‐acrylic acid) membranes
Authors: Kobayashi Takaomi , Fu Huitan , Cui Qian , Wang Hongying
Published: September 2008

An electrostatic self‐assembly technique was applied to prepare ion complex polymer layers on polyacrylonitrile with acrylic acid segments {poly(acrylonitrile‐co‐acrylic acid) [P(AN‐co‐AA)]}. For the ionic complex layers, quaternary ammonium salts, such as cetyl trimethyl ammonium chloride (CTAC) and tetramethyl ammonium chloride (TMAC), were used as cationic species, and also, poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) was used as an anionic species. These cationic and anionic species were self‐assembled alternately on the surface of the P(AN‐co‐AA) membrane. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, AFM, and water contact angle measurements of the membrane surface were used to confirm the formation of the multilayer composites on the P(AN‐co‐AA). The permeabilities of water and macromolecules of different molecular weights were evaluated by a membrane filtration technique. The values of permeability strongly depended on the formation layer by layer of these ion composites on the base P(AN‐co‐AA). Through the measurement of the values of the contact angle of water, it was clear that surface nature of the base membrane treated by CTAC or TMAC and PAA dramatically changed. We concluded that such an electrostatic self‐assembly technique is useful for the preparation of multicomposite layers to modify the surface of base P(AN‐co‐AA) membranes. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Effect of bark flour content on the hygroscopic characteristics of wood–polypropylene composites
Authors: Kazemi Najafi Saeed , Kiaefar Azadeh , Tajvidi Mehdi
Published: September 2008

The effects of the bark content on the water absorption and thickness swelling of wood–plastic composites prepared from polypropylene, wood flour, and bark flour were studied. Samples were made with a laboratory twin‐screw extruder. The results showed that among composites free of maleic anhydride polypropylene, those composites containing a higher bark flour content exhibited lower water absorption and lower thickness swelling. Maleic anhydride polypropylene reduced water absorption and thickness swelling in composites containing wood flour and a lower content of bark flour but had no influence on the hygroscopic properties of composites made with higher bark contents. Adding maleic anhydride polypropylene had no effect on the water diffusion coefficients and swelling rate parameters of composites made with a higher bark flour content. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
A modified solution‐diffusion model and its application in the pervaporation separation of alkane/thiophenes mixtures with PDMS membrane
Authors: Huang Junqi , Li Jiding , Zhan Xia , Chen Cuixian
Published: September 2008

A better understanding of the mass transfer in pervaporation membranes under different conditions is essential for both the design of improved membranes in various applications, and for the process design. In this article, a modified solution‐diffusion model is proposed to account for the mass transport of penetrants in the polymer membrane. In the model, the group contribution method (the UNIFAC‐ZM model) is first introduced to calculate the activity of penetrants in the polymer membrane, and a modified Fujita diffusion coefficient equation is developed to describe the diffusion behavior of the penetrants. The aim of this work is to establish a predictive solution‐diffusion model. By refitting the group interaction parameters based on pervaperation data of penetrants‐membrane systems, the model can be applied to predict the flux and separation factor of various polymer membrane systems. As an exemplary application of the model, the permeation fluxes and separation factors of alkane/thiophene and alkane/2‐methyl‐thiophene mixtures in polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) membrane system have been predicted and showed to be in good agreement with experimental values. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Wetting behavior of electrospun poly(L‐lactic acid)/poly(vinyl alcohol) composite nonwovens
Authors: Liu Ya , Wu Ning , Wei Qufu , Cai Yibing , Wei Anfang
Published: September 2008

Poly(L‐lactic acid) (PLLA) fibers have been extensively studied for various applications. In this work, PLLA and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) were prepared by coelectrospinning to form composite nonwoven materials. The structures and diameter distribution of the electrospun PLLA/PVA composite nonwovens were examined by atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning electronic microscope (SEM). The wetting behavior of the electrospun PLLA/PVA composite nonwovens was also investigated using static contact angles and dynamic water adsorption measurements. It was observed that the addition of PVA in the electrospun PLLA/PVA composite nonwovens significantly alerted the contact angles and water adsorption of the composite materials. It was also found that the increase in the content of PLLA led to the increase in the surface contact angle and decrease in water adsorption of the electrospun PLLA/PVA nonwoven materials. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Why Decussate? Topological Constraints on 3D Wiring
Authors: Shinbrot Troy , Young Wise
Published: September 2008

Many vertebrate motor and sensory systems “decussate” or cross the midline to the opposite side of the body. The successful crossing of millions of axons during development requires a complex of tightly controlled regulatory processes. Because these processes have evolved in many distinct systems and organisms, it seems reasonable to presume that decussation confers a significant functional advantage—yet if this is so, the nature of this advantage is not understood. In this article, we examine constraints imposed by topology on the ways that a three‐dimensional processor and environment can be wired together in a continuous, somatotopic, way. We show that as the number of wiring connections grows, decussated arrangements become overwhelmingly more robust against wiring errors than seemingly simpler same‐sided wiring schemes. These results provide a predictive approach for understanding how 3D networks must be wired if they are to be robust, and therefore have implications both for future large‐scale computational networks and for complex biomedical devices. Anat Rec, 291:1278–1292, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Functional Morphology of the Hyolaryngeal Complex of the Harbor Porpoise (Phocoena phocoena): Implications for its Role in Sound Production and Respiration
Authors: Huggenberger Stefan , Rauschmann Michael A. , Oelschläger Helmut H.A.
Published: September 2008

In several publications, it was shown that echolocation sound generation in the nasal (epicranial) complex of toothed whales (Odontoceti) is pneumatically driven. Modern hypotheses consider the larynx and its surrounding musculature to produce the initial air pressure: (a) contraction of the strong pipelike palatopharyngeal sphincter muscle complex, which connects the choanae with the epiglottic spout of the larynx, should provide much of the power for this process and (b) muscles suspending the larynx/hyoid complex from the skull base and the mandibles may support these pistonlike laryngeal movements. Here, we describe the morphology and topography of the larynx, the hyoid apparatus, and the relevant musculature in the harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) with respect to odontocete vocalization and respiration. We demonstrate that the hyoid apparatus, reminiscent of a “swinging cage,” may not only be a stable framework in which the larynx can move but should support laryngeal actions by its own movements. Rostrocaudal relocations of the hyoid apparatus may thus support pistonlike actions of the larynx creating air flow into the nasal complex for sound production. The lift of the hyoid apparatus with the thick larynx in the direction of the skull base may squeeze the pharynx in the region of the piriform recesses and thus help to secure the (waterproof) tracheochoanal connection during respiration when the palatopharyngeal sphincter cannot be contracted maximally, because the air passage must remain open at the epiglottic spout. Anat Rec, 291:1262–1270, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Preproenkephalin mRNA is Expressed in a Subpopulation of GABAergic Neurons in the Spinal Dorsal Horn of the GAD67‐GFP Knock‐In Mouse
Authors: Huang Jing , Wang Yayun , Wang Wei , Wei Yanyan , Li Yunqing , Wu Shengxi
Published: September 2008

GABA (γ‐aminobutyric acid)ergic neurons in the spinal dorsal horn have been reported to be divided into distinctive populations, with different cotransmitters and neuropeptides. In this study, we examined the colocalization of enkephalin (ENK) mRNA with GABA in the spinal dorsal horn using the glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD)67‐green fluorescence protein (GFP) knock‐in mouse. Our approach was to perform in situ hybridization histochemistry to detect mRNA for preproenkephalin (PPE, the precursor protein for ENK), combined with immunohistochemistry for GFP to reveal GABAergic neurons. Quantitative analysis indicated that more than 44.4% (2967/6681) of GFP‐immunoreactive neurons showed signals for PPE mRNA in the spinal dorsal horn. While 53.9% (2967/5501) of PPE mRNA‐expressing neurons were immunoreactive for GFP. The double‐labeled neurons were observed throughout the spinal dorsal horn, although they had a preferential localization in superficial layers. The present results provide a detailed morphological evidence that ENK and GABA colocalized in a subpopulation of neurons in the spinal dorsal horn, which are likely to represent local inhibitory dorsal horn interneurons involved in the modulation of pain transmission. Anat Rec, 291:1334–1341, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Myocardin Marks the Earliest Cardiac Gene Expression and Plays an Important Role in Heart Development
Authors: Chen Jian‐Fu , Wang Shusheng , Wu Qiulian , Cao Dongsun , Nguyen Thiha , Chen Yiping , Wang Da‐Zhi
Published: September 2008

Myocardin belongs to the SAP domain family of transcription factors and is expressed specifically in cardiac and smooth muscle during embryogenesis and in adulthood. Myocardin functions as a transcriptional coactivator of SRF and is sufficient and necessary for smooth muscle gene expression. However, the in vivo function of myocardin during cardiogenesis is not completely understood. Here we clone myocardin from chick embryonic hearts and show that myocardin protein sequences are highly conserved cross species. Detailed studies of chick myocardin expression reveal that myocardin is expressed in cardiac and smooth muscle lineage during early embryogenesis, similar to that found in mouse. Interestingly, the expression of myocardin in the heart was found enriched in the outflow tract and the sinoatrial segments shortly after the formation of linear heart tube. Such expression pattern is also maintained in later developing embryos, suggesting that myocardin may play a unique role in the formation of those cardiac modules. Similar to its mouse counterpart, chick myocardin is able to activate cardiac and smooth muscle promoter reporter genes and induce smooth muscle gene expression in nonmuscle cells. Ectopic overexpression of myocardin enlarged the embryonic chick heart. Conversely, repression of the endogenous chick myocardin using antisense oligonucleotides or a dominant negative mutant form of myocardin inhibited cardiogenesis. Together, our data place myocardin as one of the earliest cardiac marker genes for cardiogenesis and support the idea that myocardin plays an essential role in cardiac gene expression and cardiogenesis. Anat Rec, 291:1200–1211, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Abnormal Myocardial and Coronary Vasculature Development in Experimental Hypoxia
Authors: Nanka Ondrej , Krizova Petra , Fikrle Michal , Tuma Michal , Blaha Milan , Grim Milos , Sedmera David
Published: September 2008

Freshly isolated quail embryonic heart at Hamburger‐Hamilton stage 28, stained with voltage sensitive dye and optically mapped to reveal ventricular activation pattern (indicated by color isochrones in 1 ms intervals). The activation wave sweeps from left to right in the direction of the arrow. Maturation of ventricular activation patterns is accelerated by hypoxic incubation, as described in detail together with other changes in ventricular angio‐ and myoarchitecture. From “Abnormal Myocardial and coronary Vasculature Development in Experimental Hypoxia,” by Ondrej Nanka, et al., on page 1187, in this issue.
In vitro and in vivo effects of myo‐active peptides on larvae of the tomato moth Lacanobia oleracea and the cotton leaf worm Spodoptera littoralis (Lepidoptera; Noctuidae)
Authors: Matthews H.J. , Audsley N. , Weaver R.J.
Published: September 2008

Neuropeptides from five different neuropeptide families [Manduca sexta allatostatin (Manse‐AS), and Manse‐AS deletion analogue5‐15, M. sexta allatotropin (Manse‐AT), leucomyosuppressin, perisulfakinin, and myoinhibitory peptide I (MIP I)] were assayed for their ability to affect the development and food consumption of penultimate and last larval instars of two lepidopteran species, L. oleracea and S. littoralis. Injections of Manse‐AS deletion analogue5‐15, Manse‐AT, perisulfakinin, and MIP I had no observable effects on development, food consumption, or mortality compared to controls. Single injections of Manse‐AS significantly reduced the weight gain and increased mortality of L. oleracea and S. littoralis larvae compared to controls. By contrast, feeding Manse‐AS to L. oleracea had no such effects. These differences were probably due to the degradation of the peptide by digestive enzymes in the foregut of L. oleracea. In studies in vitro, perisulfakinin, and MIP I had no effect on the spontaneous foregut contractions of L. oleracea larvae. Leucomyosuppressin, however, had myoinhibitory effects on the foregut. Single injections of leucomyosuppressin significantly reduced the weight gain and food consumption of L. oleracea and S. littoralis larvae and increased mortality. These data suggest that the deleterious effects observed in vivo were due to the myoinhibition by Manse‐AS and leucomyosuppressin of the normal peristaltic movements of the gut either by the intact peptide or by its cleavage products resulting from degradation in the haemolymph. Arch. Insect Biochem. Physiol. 69:60–69, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Expression and localization of storage protein 1 (SP1) in differentiated fat body tissues of red hairy caterpillar,Amsacta albistrigaWalker
Authors: Chandrasekar Raman , Jae Seo Sook , Krishnan M.
Published: September 2008

The accumulation and utilization of storage proteins are prominent events linked to the metamorphosis of holometabolous insects. The female‐specific storage protein 1 (SP1) is the major storage protein found in the hemolymph and fat body of female larvae of the groundnut pest,Amsacta albistriga. Here we show SP1 expression and localization in differentiated fat body tissues using biochemical and immunohistochemistry scrutiny. Comparison ofA. albistrigaSP1 with that of other species with respect to amino acid composition and N‐terminal sequences show that SP1 is a methonine‐rich protein and its identity was confirmed by means of immunoblot analysis. Northern blot studies revealed that the SP1 gene demonstrates stage‐ and tissue‐specific expression in the peripheral fat body cells during the mid‐larval period of fifth instar ofA. albistriga. During the larval pupal transformation, SP1 are sequestered mainly by the perivisceral fat body tissues, until they serve the purpose of supplying amino acids for the production of egg yolk proteins. Further, electron microscopic studies using immunogold tracer techniques confirmed the localization of crystalline SP1 reserves, stored in the perivisceral fat body tissues. Hence, the peripheral fat body is responsible for biosynthesis of storage proteins, whereas the perivisceral fat body is a specialized storage organ. Arch. Insect Biochem. Physiol. 69:70–84, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Proteinaceous adhesive secretions from insects, and in particular the egg attachment glue of Opodiphthera sp. moths
Authors: Li Dongmei , Huson Mickey G. , Graham Lloyd D.
Published: September 2008

Biochemical and electrophoretic screening of 29 adhesive secretions from Australian insects identified six types that appeared to consist largely of protein. Most were involved in terrestrial egg attachment. Hydrogel glues were subjected to gravimetric analyses and assessed for overall amino acid composition. When 32 proteins in glues from eight insect species were analyzed individually, many proved to be rich in Gly, Ser, and/or Pro, and some contained substantial levels of 4‐hydroxyproline. A few proteins were heavily glycosylated. Abundant protein‐based secretions were tested as adhesives, mainly by measuring dry shear strength on wood. The strongest (1–2 MPa) was an egg attachment glue produced by saturniid gum moths of the genus Opodiphthera. It was harvested from female colleterial gland reservoirs as a treacle‐like liquid that underwent irreversible gelation, and recovered from the capsules of laid eggs as a highly elastic orange‐brown hydrogel that could also display high tack. Its protein‐based nature was confirmed and explored by spectroscopy, enzymatic degradation, and 2D gel electrophoresis. Its proteins are mostly 80–95 kDa, and sequences (almost all novel) were established for 23 tryptic peptides. Scanning probe microscopy of Opodiphthera hydrogel in water returned median values of 0.83 nN for adhesion, 63 kPa for modulus, and 87% for resilience. Recombinant mimics of this material might be useful as biodegradable commodity adhesives or as specialty biomedical products. Arch. Insect Biochem. Physiol. 69:85–105, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Exploring the h‐index at patent level
Authors: Guan Jian Cheng , Gao Xia
Published: September 2008

As an acceptable proxy for innovative activity, patents have become increasingly important in recent years. Patents and patent citations have been used for construction of technology indicators. This article presents an alternative to other citation‐based indicators, i.e., the patent h‐index, which is borrowed from bibliometrics. We conduct the analysis on a sample of the world's top 20 firms ranked by total patents granted in the period 1996–2005 from the Derwent Innovations Index in the semiconductor area. We also investigate the relationships between the patent h‐index and other three indicators, i.e., patent counts, citation counts, and the mean family size (MFS). The findings show that the patent h‐index is indeed an effective indicator for evaluating the technological importance and quality, or impact, for an assignee. In addition, the MFS indicator correlates negatively and not significantly with the patent h‐index, which indicates that the “social value” of a patent is in disagreement with its “private value.” The two indicators, patent h‐index and MFS, both provide an overview of the value of patents, but from two different angles.
Reminiscences of a journeyman scientist: Studies of thermoregulation in non‐human primates and humans
Authors: Adair Eleanor Reed
Published: September 2008

After graduating from Mount Holyoke College in 1948 where I majored in experimental psychology I worked at the College for 2 years with the Johns Hopkins Thermophysiological Unit. My graduate work later at the University of Wisconsin, centering on sensory psychology, culminated in my 1955 PhD thesis on human dark adaptation. I continued work in sensory psychology later with Neal Miller at Yale and then moved to the John B. Pierce Foundation—a Yale affiliate—where I began the studies of thermoregulation that constitute the center of my scientific career. Those studies were largely—later wholly—conducted using microwave energy as a thermal load and were thus published in Bioelectromagnetics even as I played an active role in the Bioelectromagnetics Society. In the beginning this work was centered on the responses of Squirrel Monkeys to thermal loads. Later, serving as Senior Scientist at the Air Force Research Laboratory at San Antonio, I completed an extensive analysis of thermal regulation in humans. I consider this work of special note inasmuch as the extraordinary human thermoregulatory ability was surely among the attributes that were paramount in initially separating humans from the other anthropoid primates. Bioelectromagnetics 29:586–597, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Influence of blood flow and millimeter wave exposure on skin temperature in different thermal models
Authors: Alekseev S.I. , Ziskin M.C.
Published: September 2008

Recently we showed that the Pennes bioheat transfer equation was not adequate to quantify mm wave heating of the skin at high blood flow rates. To do so, it is necessary to incorporate an “effective” thermal conductivity to obtain a hybrid bioheat equation (HBHE). The main aim of this study was to determine the relationship between non‐specific tissue blood flow in a homogeneous unilayer model and dermal blood flow in multilayer models providing that the skin surface temperatures before and following mm wave exposure were the same. This knowledge could be used to develop multilayer models based on the fitting parameters obtained with the homogeneous tissue models. We tested four tissue models consisting of 1–4 layers and applied the one‐dimensional steady‐state HBHE. To understand the role of the epidermis in skin models we added to the one‐ and three‐layer models an external thin epidermal layer with no blood flow. Only the combination of models containing the epidermal layer was appropriate for determination of the relationship between non‐specific tissue and dermal blood flows giving the same skin surface temperatures. In this case we obtained a linear relationship between non‐specific tissue and dermal blood flows. The presence of the fat layer resulted in the appearance of a significant temperature gradient between the dermis and muscle layer which increased with the fat layer thickness. Bioelectromagnetics 30:52–58, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Chemiluminescence determination of chlorpheniramine using tris(1,10‐phenanthroline)–ruthenium(II) peroxydisulphate system and sequential injection analysis
Authors: Suliman Fakhr Eldin O. , Al‐Hinai Mohammed M. , Al‐Kindy Salma M. Z. , Salama Salama B.
Published: September 2008

A sequential injection (SI) method was developed for the determination of chlorpheniramine (CPA), based on the reaction of this drug with tris(1,10‐phenanthroline)–ruthenium(II) [Ru(phen)32+] and peroxydisulphate (S2O82–) in the presence of light. The instrumental set‐up utilized a syringe pump and a multiposition valve to aspirate the reagents [Ru(phen)32+ and S2O82–] and a peristaltic pump to propel the sample. The experimental conditions affecting the chemiluminescence reaction were systematically optimized, using the univariate approach. Under the optimum conditions linear calibration curves of 0.1–10 µg/ml were obtained. The detection limit was 0.04 µg/ml and the relative standard deviation (RSD) was always < 5%. The procedure was applied to the analysis of CPA in pharmaceutical products and was found to be free from interferences from concomitants usually present in these preparations. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Determination of trace α‐fetoprotein variant by affinity adsorption solid substrate‐room temperature phosphorimetry
Authors: Liu Jia‐Ming , Liu Zhen‐Bo , Li Xue‐Lin , Li Zhi‐Ming , Huang Xiao‐Mei , Hong Feng‐Shan , Lin Wei‐Nv , Chen Fang
Published: September 2008

The 3.5‐generation dendrimers (3.5G‐D)–porphyrin (P) dual luminescent molecule (3.5G‐D–P) was used to label concanavalin agglutinin (Con A); the product of the reaction is 3.5G‐D–P–Con A. A new method for the determination of trace AFP‐V by affinity adsorption solid substrate–room temperature phosphorimetry (AA‐SS–RTP) was established, based on the room temperature phosphorescence (RTP) property of the product on polyamide membrane (PAM) substrate and the specific affinity adsorption (AA) reaction between 3.5G‐D–P–Con A and α‐fetoprotein variant (AFP‐V), which caused the RTP of the system to be sharply enhanced, the ΔIp was linearly correlated to the content of AFP‐V. The sensitivity of the method was obviously high. It could accurately detect the content of AFP‐V in serum. The results were tallied well with those obtained by the ELISA method. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Luminescent sensor for Cd2+, Hg2+ and Ag+ in water based on a sulphur‐containing receptor: quantitative binding–softness relationship
Authors: Saleh Na'il
Published: September 2008

A water‐soluble, high‐output fluorescent sensor, based on a lumazine ligand with a thiophene substituent for Cd2+, Hg2+ and Ag+ metal ions, is reported. The sensor displays fluorescence enhancement upon Cd2+ binding (log  β = 2.79 ± 0.08) and fluorescence quenching by chelating with Ag+ and Hg2+ (log β = 4.31 ± 0.15 and 5.42 ± 0.1, respectively). The mechanism of quenching is static and occurs by formation of a ground‐state non‐fluorescent complex followed by rapid intersystem crossing. The value of the Stern–Volmer quenching rate constant (kq) by Ag+ ions is close to 6.71 × 1012 mol/L/s at 298 K. The thermodynamic parameters (ΔG, ΔH and ΔS) were also evaluated and indicated that the complexation process is spontaneous, exothermic and entropically favourable. The quantitative linear relationship between the softness values of Klopman (σK) or Ahrland (σA) and the experimental binding constants (β) being in the order of Hg2+ > Ag+ > Cd2+ suggests that soft–soft interactions are the key for the observed sensitivity and selectivity in the presence of other metal ions, such as: Pb2+, Ni2+, Mn2+, Cu2+, Co2+, Zn2+ and Mg2+ ions. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Extended‐release PEG–luciferin allows for long‐term imaging of firefly luciferase activity in vivo
Authors: Chandran Sachin S. , Williams Simon A. , Denmeade Samuel R.
Published: September 2008

Bioluminescence has gained favour in the last decade as an approach for observing tumours in vivo in a non‐destructive manner. This very sensitive technique is based on light emission by the reaction of luciferin with the enzyme luciferase, as measured by a photodetector. Ever since the development of recombinant tumour cell lines that have been engineered to produce luciferase, a vast number of experiments have been carried out examining tumour growth, tumour metastasis and the effect of therapeutic regimens in such cases. A primary stumbling block, however, is the relatively short circulatory half‐life of luciferin. In this paper, we propose the PEGylation of 6‐amino‐d‐luciferin to extend its in vivo circulatory half‐life, thus making the possibility of long‐term observations in animals possible. The covalent attachment was through a carbamate linker that is known to hydrolyse in vivo, releasing the parent compound. Based on our studies, longer emission of the PEGylated luciferin was observed, as compared to free luciferin in mice bearing PC3 prostate tumours expressing luciferase. This result suggests that this reagent can be used in applications requiring extended monitoring of luciferase activation in vivo. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Chemiluminescence method for the determination of piroxicam by the enhancement of the tris‐(4,7‐diphenyl‐1,10‐phenanthrolinedisulphonic acid) ruthenium(II) (RuBPS)–cerium(IV) system and its application
Authors: Yu Fengshan , Zhang Yangbin , Chen Fang , Chen Lanhua
Published: September 2008

A simple, rapid chemiluminescence (CL) method was described for the determination of piroxicam, a commonly used analgesic agent drug. A strong CL signal was detected when cerium(IV) sulphate was injected into tris‐(4,7‐diphenyl‐1,10‐phenanthrolinedisulphonic acid) ruthenium(II) (RuBPS)–piroxicam solution. The CL signal was proportional to the concentration of piroxicam in the range 2.8 × 10–8–1.2 × 10–5 mol/L. The detection limit was 2 × 10–8 mol/L and the relative standard deviation (RSD) was 3.7% (c = 7.0 × 10–7 mol/L piroxicam; n = 11). The proposed method was applied to the determination of piroxicam in pharmaceutical preparations in capsules, spiked serum and urine samples with satisfactory results. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Spectrofluorimetric determination of vitamin B1 using horseradish peroxidase as catalyst in the presence of hydrogen peroxide
Authors: Khan Mir Azam , Jin Seung Oh , Lee Sang Hak , Chung Hye Young
Published: September 2008

In this work a new spectrofluorimetric method for the determination of vitamin B1, based on the catalytic activity of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) in the presence of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), has been developed. Non‐fluorescent vitamin B1 was easily converted through catalytic oxidation in alkaline medium into a fluorescent compound, even without exposure to light. The linear range for vitamin B1 observed was 0.026–16.83 µg/mL (RSD = 1.75%). The correlation coefficient for the calibration curve and limit of detection were found to be 0.9964 and 0.015 µg/mL, respectively. The developed method is practical, simple, sensitive and relatively free from interference by coexisting substances and has been successfully applied for the determination of vitamin B1 in pharmaceutical preparations. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.