bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ten‐year water table recovery after clearcutting and draining boreal forested wetlands of eastern Canada
Authors: Marcotte Philippe , Roy Vincent , Plamondon André P. , Auger Isabelle
Published: April 2008

In boreal forested wetlands, the observed increase in the water table level after clearcutting (watering‐up) is often a threat to sustained ecosystem productivity. Hydrologic recovery refers to the processes by which a water table progressively drops back to its initial level after the cut. In eastern Canada, drainage is used operationally after clearcutting wet sites in order to lower the water table level and accelerate hydrologic recovery. The objective of this study was to evaluate the duration of the watering‐up caused by timber harvesting and the extent to which drainage affected the water table recovery on five peatlands and three hydromorphic mineral sites located in the St. Lawrence Lowlands of Québec (Canada). The mixed wood stands studied are dominated by balsam fir (Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.), eastern white cedar (Thuja occidentalis L.), and red maple (Acer rubrum L). Results indicate that, 10 years after clearcutting, water table levels in undrained plots are still 5 to 7 cm higher than the pre‐cut levels. The slight recovery in water table level plateaued after the third year. Rainfall interception by vegetation was also monitored, and after 10 years had reached nearly 50% of the pre‐cut rate. The immediate water table drawdown following drainage mitigated watering‐up within 40 m of a ditch. The persistent watering‐up observed in this study should encourage using sylvicultural systems adapted to boreal forested wetlands in order to prevent productivity loss and stand conversion. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Nanocomposite Ti/hydrocarbon plasma polymer films from reactive magnetron sputtering as growth support for osteoblast‐like and endothelial cells
Authors: Grinevich Andrey , Bacakova Lucie , Choukourov Andrei , Boldyryeva Hanna , Pihosh Yuriy , Slavinska Danka , Noskova Lenka , Skuciova Maria , Lisa Vera , Biederman Hynek
Published: April 2008

Nanocomposite Ti/hydrocarbon plasma polymer (Ti/ppCH) films were deposited by DC magnetron sputtering of titanium target in n‐hexane, argon, or a mixture of these two gases. The resultant films were heterogeneous, with inorganic regions of nanometer scale distributed within a plasma polymer matrix. The titanium content was controlled by adjusting the argon/n‐hexane ratio in the working gas. In the pure n‐hexane atmosphere, the Ti concentration was found to be below 1 at %, whereas in pure argon it reached 20 at %, as measured by Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy and elastic recoil detection analysis (RBS/ERDA). A high level of titanium oxidation is detected with TiO2, substoichiometric titania, and titanium carbide, composing an inorganic phase of the composite films. In addition, high hydrogen content is detected in films rich with titanium. Ti‐deficient and Ti‐rich films proved equally good substrates for adhesion and growth of cultured human osteoblast‐like MG 63 cells. In these cells, the population densities on days 1, 3, and 7 after seeding, spreading area on day 1, formation of talin‐containing focal adhesion plaques as well as concentrations of talin and osteocalcin (per mg of protein) were comparable to the values obtained in cells on the reference cell culture materials, represented by microscopic glass coverslips or a polystyrene dish. An interesting finding was made when the Ti/ppCH films were seeded with calf pulmonary artery endothelial cells of the line CPAE. The cell population densities, the spreading area and also the concentration of von Willebrand factor, a marker of endothelial cell maturation, were significantly higher on Ti‐rich than on Ti‐deficient films. On Ti‐rich films, these parameters were also higher or similar in comparison with the reference cell culture materials. Thus, both types of films could be used for coating bone implants, of which the Ti‐rich film remains effective in enhancing the endothelialization of blood contacting artificial materials. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2009
Poly(L‐lactide)‐b‐poly(ethylene oxide) copolymers with different arms: Hydrophilicity, biodegradable nanoparticles, in vitro degradation, and drug‐release behavior
Authors: Liu Qing , Cai Chen , Dong Chang‐Ming
Published: April 2008

Biodegradable and amphiphilic poly(L‐lactide)‐b‐poly(ethylene oxide) copolymers with different arms (PLLA‐b‐PEO having one, two, four, and six arms) were successfully synthesized via a two‐step synthetic strategy. The hydrophilicity–hydrophobicity balance of these copolymers was mainly controlled by both the arm number of copolymers (i.e., macromolecular architecture) and the poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) composition. Biodegradable nanoparticles could be generated by direct injection of these PLLA‐b‐PEO copolymers solutions into distilled water, and their critical micelles concentrations decreased with the increasing arm number of copolymers. Moreover, both the hydrophilic PEO composition and the arm number of copolymers controlled the average size of PLLA‐b‐PEO nanoparticles, and the nanoparticles with adjustable sizes (20–85 nm) completely meet the size prerequisite (less than 100 nm) for targeted drug delivery. In vitro degradation of PLLA‐b‐PEO nanoparticles showed that the PLLA composition gradually increased over the degradation time, and the degree of crystallinity of PLLA block within copolymers increased simultaneously. Furthermore, the nimodipine drug loading efficiency of the PLLA‐b‐PEO copolymers was apparently higher than that of PLLA homopolymers. The drug‐release experiments demonstrated that these biodegradable nanoparticles might be used for a short‐time controlled release system. Consequently, this will provide a facile method not only to design new PLLA‐based biomaterials from both the macromolecular architecture and the hydrophilicity–hydrophobicity balance, but also to fabricate biodegradable nanoparticles with adjustable sizes for drug delivery. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2009
In situ observation of surface oxide layers on medical grade Ni‐Ti alloy during straining
Authors: Undisz A. , Schrempel F. , Wesch W. , Rettenmayr M.
Published: April 2008

Medical grade Ni‐Ti alloys with shape memory or pseudo‐elastic behavior exhibit good biocompatibility because of an electrochemically passive oxide layer on the surface. In this work, the mechanical stability of surface oxide layers is investigated during reversible pseudo‐elastic deformation of commonly applied medical grade Ni‐Ti wires. Surface oxide layers with varying thickness were generated by varying annealing times under air atmosphere. The thicknesses of the surface oxide layers were determined by means of Rutherford backscattering spectrometry. In situ scanning electron microscopy investigations reveal a damage mechanism, which is assumed to have a significant influence on the biocompatibility of the material. The conditions that lead to the appearance of cracks in the surface oxide layer or to the flaking of surface oxide layer particles are identified. The influence of the thickness of the surface oxide layer on the damage mode is characterized. The possible impact of the damaged surface oxide layer on the material's biocompatibility and the potentials to reduce or avoid the damage are discussed. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2009
A new generation of bio‐derived ceramic materials for medical applications
Authors: González P. , Borrajo J. P. , Serra J. , Chiussi S. , León B. , Martínez‐Fernández J. , Varela‐Feria F. M. , de Arellano‐López A. R. , de Carlos A. , Muñoz F. M. , López M. , Singh M.
Published: April 2008

A new generation of bio‐derived ceramics can be developed as a base material for medical implants. Specific plant species are used as templates on which innovative transformation processes can modify the chemical composition maintaining the original biostructure. Building on the outstanding mechanical properties of the starting lignocellulosic templates, it is possible to develop lightweight and high‐strength scaffolds for bone substitution.In vitroandin vivoexperiments demonstrate the excellent biocompatibility of this new silicon carbide material (bioSiC) and how it gets colonized by the hosting bone tissue because of its unique interconnected hierarchic porosity, which opens the door to new biomedical applications. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2009
Inhibition of osteoblastic metalloproteinases in mice prevents bone loss induced by oestrogen deficiency
Authors: Schiltz Corinne , Marty Caroline , de Vernejoul Marie‐Christine , Geoffroy Valerie
Published: April 2008

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are key mediators in extra‐cellular matrix remodelling and implicated primarily in bone growth, and particularly in osteoclastic bone resorption. We hypothesise that MMPs have a role in the increased bone remodelling resulting from oestrogen deficiency. Transgenic (TG) mice overexpressing TIMP‐1 in their osteoblastic cells and their wild‐type (WT) littermates were ovariectomised. One month after surgery, bone mineral density (BMD) and bone microarchitecture were assessed. Primary cells from WT and TG mice were used to determine how TIMP‐1 affects osteoclast and osteoblastic cells. The reduction of BMD induced by ovariectomy in WT mice was not observed in the transgenic mice. The transgene overexpression also dampened the post‐ovariectomy increase in bone resorption in contrast to the WT mice. In vivo, osteoclastic surfaces and D‐pyridinoline were not increased in TG mice, and ex vivo, the differentiation of osteoclasts from TG bone marrow precursor cells were unaffected by in vivo oestrogen deficiency or treatment. We showed also that TIMP‐1 overexpression reduces and delays the osteoblastic proliferation and differentiation respectively, and reduced the generation of the active form of TGFβ1 in the supernatant of TG osteoblasts. Our findings support the hypothesis that in vivo inhibition of osteoblastic MMPs prevented the bone loss induced by oestrogen deficiency, with a significant decrease in bone resorption. This effect was presumably resulting from (1) a direct inhibition of osteoclastic resorption activity by the TIMP‐1 and (2) the modification in the local activation of extra‐cellular signalling factors such as TGFβ1 and the OPG/RANKL ratio. J. Cell. Biochem. 104: 1803–1817, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Inhibition of adipocyte differentiation by phytoestrogen genistein through a potential downregulation of extracellular signal‐regulated kinases 1/2 activity
Authors: Liao Qing‐Chuan , Li Ya‐Lin , Qin Yan‐Fang , Quarles L. Darryl , Xu Kang‐Kang , Li Rong , Zhou Hong‐Hao , Xiao Zhou‐Sheng
Published: April 2008

In the current study, we investigated the effects of genistein on adipogenic differentiation of mouse bone marrow‐derived mesenchymal stem cell (BMSC) cultures and its potential signaling pathway. The terminal adipogenic differentiation was assessed by western‐blotting analysis of adipogenic‐specific proteins such as PPARγ, C/EBPα, and aP2 and the formation of adipocytes. Treatment of mouse BMSC cultures with adipogenic cocktail resulted in sustained activation of extracellular signal‐regulated kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2), which are members of the mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) family, at the early phase of adipogenesis (from days 3 to 9). Inhibition of ERK1/2 activation by PD98059, a specific MEK inhibitor, reversed the induced adipogenic differentiation. Genistein dose‐dependently decreased the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 in mouse BMSC cultures. Genistein incubation for the entire culture period, as well as that applied during the early phase of the culture period, significantly inhibited the adipogenic differentiation of mouse BMSC cultures. While genistein was incubated at the late stage (after day 9), no inhibitory effect on adipogenic differentiation was observed. BMSC cultures treated with genistein in the presence of fibroblast growth factor‐2 (FGF‐2), an activator of the ERK1/2 signaling pathway, expressed normal levels of ERK1/2 activity, and, in so doing, are capable of undergoing adipogenesis. Our results suggest that activation of the ERK1/2 signaling pathway during the early phase of adipogenesis (from days 3 to 9) is essential to adipogenic differentiation of BMSC cultures, and that genistein inhibits the adipogenic differentiation through a potential downregulation of ERK1/2 activity at this early phase of adipogenesis. J. Cell. Biochem. 104: 1853–1864, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Baicalein stimulates osteoblast differentiation via coordinating activation of MAP kinases and transcription factors
Authors: Kim Jin Mi , Lee Su‐Ui , Kim Young Sup , Min Yong Ki , Kim Seong Hwan
Published: April 2008

The identification of anabolic agents that directly stimulate bone formation has recently attracted greater interest. Here, baicalein was identified as a natural compound that stimulates the differentiation of mouse osteoblastic MC3T3‐E1 subclone 4 cells. Baicalein induced the activation of NF‐κB in the initiation stage of osteoblast differentiation, and it activated the MAP kinase/NF‐κB signaling pathway and induced the expression of osteoblast differentiation markers in the early stage. In the late stage, baicalein stimulated the calcium deposition with the activation of MAP kinases and AP‐1 family members such as Fra‐1 and Fra‐2. Another transcription factor, NFATc1, was slightly induced by baicalein in the late stage. Thus, baicalein could stimulate the osteoblast differentiation via the activation of complexly coordinated signaling pathways that include MAP kinases and transcription factors such as NF‐κB, AP‐1, and NFATc1. J. Cell. Biochem. 104: 1906–1917, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Can assessors and therapists predict the outcome of long‐term psychotherapy in borderline personality disorder?
Authors: Spinhoven Philip , Giesen‐Bloo Josephine , van Dyck Richard , Arntz Arnoud
Published: April 2008

Surprisingly few studies have investigated the accuracy of prognostic assessments of therapy outcome by clinicians. The objective of the present study was to investigate the relationship between clinicians' prognostic assessments and patient characteristics and treatment outcome. Seventy‐one patients with a borderline personality disorder randomly allocated to schema‐focused therapy (SFT) or transference‐focused psychotherapy (TFP) were assessed every 3 months for 3 years. Prognostic assessments proved to be unrelated to patients' biographical (i.e., age, gender, education level, and employment level) and clinical characteristics (i.e., number of Axis I and Axis II diagnoses, and severity of psychiatric symptoms or borderline personality pathology). Clinical assessors as well as therapists rated the probability of success for SFT to be higher than for TFP. Prospective assessments of assessors and therapists accurately predicted different indices of outcome above and independent of patient characteristics. The prediction of outcome in the TFP condition in particular proved to be valid. Identifying prognostic markers of treatment outcome as used by clinicians in their prognostic assessments may improve current prediction models and patient‐treatment matching. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol: 64: 1–20, 2008.
Ethical challenges in mental health services to children and families
Authors: Koocher Gerald P.
Published: April 2008

Mental health practitioners working with children and families must attend to several ethical concerns that do not typically come into play with adult clients. The challenges for practitioners usually involve attention to four subsets of concerns that all begin with the letter c: competence, consent, confidentiality, and competing interests. Using the 4‐C model, this article focuses on ethical aspects of practitioner competence, consent and assent, confidentiality, and the incongruence of interests that occurs when different people organize and set goals for psychological services. After explicating these issues, I provide recommendations for addressing them in the course of clinical practice. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol:In Session 64 : 1–12, 2008.
Temperament, character, and dissociation among detoxified male inpatients with alcohol dependency
Authors: Evren Cuneyt , Sar Vedat , Dalbudak Ercan
Published: April 2008

The aim of this study was to determine possible relationships of pathological dissociation with temperament, character, and concurrent psychopathological features in a consecutive series of male alcohol‐dependent patients. Fifty‐eight patients with pathological dissociation were compared with 118 nondissociative patients classified by dissociative taxon membership. Beside higher scores on anxiety, depression, and alcoholism scales, a larger proportion of dissociative group reported childhood abuse, suicide attempts, and self‐mutilation than did the nondissociative group. They also had higher scores of novelty seeking and harm avoidance, but lower scores of persistence, self‐directedness, and cooperativeness. Trait anxiety, depression, and severity of alcoholism predicted dissociative experiences; however, none of the temperament or character measures did. Rather than being a derivative of temperament or character features, dissociative experiences of male alcohol‐dependent patients are associated with overall concurrent psychopathology. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol 64:717–727, 2008.
Improving the capacity to respond: examining the experiences of short‐term tsunami relief staff
Authors: Murray Suellen , Clarke Matthew
Published: April 2008

This paper reports the experiences of staff from one international NGO who undertook short‐term deployments to tsunami‐affected areas in 2005. This qualitative analysis finds three major issues that impacted upon the capacity of these staff to respond effectively to the tsunami. These issues are (1) effective management, (2) infrastructure and systems and (3) preparation and support of staff. It is argued that the experiences of these staff are not peculiar to the international NGO. Therefore, the lessons distilled from these qualitative interviews will be relevant to other NGOs. Based on these lessons, a number of general recommendations are provided in order to improve the capacity of NGO staff to respond to future emergencies. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A chemometric study of pesto sauce appearance and of its relation to pigment concentration
Authors: Masino Francesca , Foca Giorgia , Ulrici Alessandro , Arru Laura , Antonelli Andrea
Published: April 2008

BACKGROUND: Pesto sauce is a typical example of a food matrix in which aspect is of key importance to the final judgment of the consumer, and whose color strongly depends on the production process and on the ingredients. In view of this, the aim of the present work is to evaluate the possibility of quantifying the variability of visual aspect of different brands of pesto sauce, and its relation to the concentration of the main pigments.

RESULTS: Sensory evaluation of the appearance of 12 commercial pesto samples was carried out by a panel of 16 assessors who evaluated quantitatively six visual attributes, suitably defined for the description of pesto aspect. A quantitative estimate of the performance of the panel was carried out by means of both univariate and multivariate–multiway chemometric tools (parallel factor analysis, PARAFAC). In addition, the relationship between the mean sensory scores values and the concentrations of chlorophylls, pheophytins and carotenoids was investigated by principal components analysis (PCA). Both PCA and PARAFAC showed good clustering of the samples and a satisfactory degree of homogeneity of the assessors.

CONCLUSION: Data analysis showed that assessors fundamentally agree about the main visual characteristics of pesto sauces, which are partly correlated with the concentration values of the main pigments. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Multi‐targeted therapy by curcumin: how spicy is it?
Authors: Goel Ajay , Jhurani Sonia , Aggarwal Bharat B.
Published: April 2008

Although traditional medicines have been used for thousands of years, for most such medicines neither the active component nor their molecular targets have been very well identified. Curcumin, a yellow component of turmeric or curry powder, however, is an exception. Although inhibitors of cyclooxygenase‐2, HER2, tumor necrosis factor, EGFR, Bcr‐abl, proteosome, and vascular endothelial cell growth factor have been approved for human use by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), curcumin as a single agent can down‐regulate all these targets. Curcumin can also activate apoptosis, down‐regulate cell survival gene products, and up‐regulate p53, p21, and p27. Although curcumin is poorly absorbed after ingestion, multiple studies have suggested that even low levels of physiologically achievable concentrations of curcumin may be sufficient for its chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic activity. Thus, curcumin regulates multiple targets (multitargeted therapy), which is needed for treatment of most diseases, and it is inexpensive and has been found to be safe in human clinical trials. The present article reviews the key molecular mechanisms of curcumin action and compares this to some of the single‐targeted therapies currently available for human cancer.
Fibroblast growth factor 7 stimulates in vitro growth of oocytes originating from bovine early antral follicles
Authors: Cho Joon‐Ho , Itoh Takehiro , Sendai Yutaka , Hoshi Hiroyoshi
Published: April 2008

Essential factors required for growing oocytes derived from bovine early antral follicles and their mechanisms of action are poorly understood. Fibroblast growth factor 7 (FGF7) is a member of the heparin‐binding FGF family with a distinctive pattern of target‐cell specificity. The effect of FGF7 on the stimulation of oocyte growth in a culture of cumulus–oocyte complexes with granulosa cells (COCGs, oocyte diameter; 90–100 µm) was investigated. The oocyte diameter of COCGs was increased significantly in the FGF7‐containing medium (10 ng/ml; 117.2 ± 3.2 µm, 50 ng/ml; 116.5 ± 3.5 µm) compared to the control (0 ng/ml; 110.5 ± 2.8 µm) after 16 days. However, there was no stimulatory effect of FGF7 on the proliferation of cumulus‐granulosa cells. The FGF7 receptor, fibroblast growth factor receptor 2IIIb (FGFR2IIIb), was detected in cumulus‐granulosa cells from COCGs. Messenger RNA expression of FGFR2IIIb was induced to cumulus‐granulosa cells by FGF7. The mRNA expression levels of KIT ligand (KITLG), KIT (KIT), growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF9), and bone morphogenetic protein 15 (BMP15) in the cultured COCGs were determined in FGF7‐treated (10 ng/ml) cultures using real time RT‐PCR analysis. The levels of KITLG and KIT, but not GDF9 and BMP15 mRNA expression were stimulated by FGF7. Furthermore, neutralizing antibody for KIT attenuated the stimulatory action of FGF7 on the oocyte growth. These results strongly suggest that FGF7 may be an important regulator for oocyte growth and its action is mediated via the KIT/KITLG signaling pathway. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 75: 1736–1743, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Regulation of cap‐dependent translation initiation in the early stage porcine parthenotes
Authors: Šušor Andrej , Jelínková Lucie , Karabínová Pavla , Torner Helmut , Tomek Wolfgang , Kovářová Hana , Kubelka Michal
Published: April 2008

The binding of mRNAs to ribosomes is mediated by the protein complex eIF4F in conjunction with eIF4B (eukaryotic initiation factor 4F and 4B). EIF4F is a three subunit complex consisting of eIF4A (RNA helicase), eIF4E (mRNA cap binding protein), and eIF4G (bridging protein). The crucial role is played by eIF4E, which directly binds the 5′‐cap structure of the mRNA and facilitates the recruitment to the mRNA of other translation factors and the 40S ribosomal subunit. EIF4E binding to mRNA and to other initiation factors is regulated on several levels, including its phosphorylation on Ser‐209, and association with its regulatory protein 4E‐binding protein (4E‐BP1). In this study we document that both the translation initiation factor eIF4E and its regulator 4E‐BP1 become dephosphorylated in the early stage porcine zygotes already 8 hr post‐activation. Similarly, the activities of ERK1/2 MAP and Mnk1 kinases, which are both involved in eIF4E phosphorylation, gradually decrease during this period with the timing similar to that of eIF4E dephosphorylation. The formation of an active eIF4F complex is also diminished after 9–15 hr post‐activation, although substantial amounts of this complex have been detected also 24 hr post‐activation (2‐cell stage). The overall protein synthesis in the parthenotes decreases gradually from 12 hr post‐activation reaching a minimum after 48 hr (4‐cell stage). Although the translation is gradually decreasing during early preimplantation development, the eIF4F complex, which is temporarily formed, might be a premise for the translation of a small subset of mRNAs at this period of development. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 75: 1716–1725, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Use of combined in silico expression data and phylogenetic analysis to identify new oocyte genes encoding RNA binding proteins in the mouse
Authors: Drouilhet Laurence , Paillisson Amélie , Bontoux Martine , Jeanpierre Eric , Mazerbourg Sabine , Monget Philippe
Published: April 2008

During folliculogenesis, oocytes accumulate maternal mRNAs in preparation for the first steps of early embryogenesis. The processing of oocyte mRNAs is ensured by heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoproteins (hnRNPs) genes that encode RNA binding proteins implied in mRNA biogenesis, translation, alternative splicing, nuclear exportation, and degradation. In the present work, by combining phylogenetic analyses and, when available, in silico expression data, we have identified three new oocyte‐expressed genes encoding RNA binding proteins by using two strategies. Firstly, we have identified mouse orthologs of the Car1 gene, known to be involved in regulation of germ cell apoptosis in C. elegans, and of the Squid gene, required for the establishment of anteroposterior polarity in the Drosophila oocyte. Secondly, we have identified, among genes whose ESTs are highly represented in oocyte libraries, a paralog of Poly(A) binding protein—Interacting Protein 2 (Paip2) gene, known to inhibit the interaction of the Poly(A)‐Binding Protein with Poly(A) tails of mRNAs. For all of these genes, the expression in oocyte was verified by in situ hybridization. Overall, this work underlines the efficiency of in silico methodologies to identify new genes involved in biological processes such as oogenesis. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 75: 1691–1700, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Lifestyle physical activity of older rural women
Authors: Plonczynski Donna J. , Wilbur JoEllen , Larson Janet L. , Thiede Keith
Published: April 2008

The purpose of this study was to describe and examine the lifestyle physical activity behaviors (household, leisure, occupational) of older rural women. Background characteristics included demographics, environment, social support, and health. Intrapersonal characteristics included motivation and self‐efficacy. The majority of the women's energy expenditure was in the household dimension. Social support was positively associated with household activities. A higher level of leisure physical activity was associated with living within the two small cities and reporting lower levels of health and lower motivation. This research highlights the importance of household physical activity and the contribution of social support for household physical activity, both of which may be important in developing interventions to promote physical activity in older rural women. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Res Nurs Health 31:501–513, 2008
A new intumescent flame‐retardant: preparation, surface modification, and its application in polypropylene
Authors: Wang Xingyi , Li Yuan , Liao Weiwei , Gu Jing , Li Dao
Published: April 2008

Melamine salt of tripentaerythriol phosphate (MTP), as a new intumescent flame‐retardant, was prepared from tripentaerythritol (TPE), polyphosphoric acid, phosphoric pentoxide, and melamine, and then incorporated into polypropylene (PP) to obtain flame‐retarded PP‐MTP. FT‐IR analysis showed that MTP was in the form of cage structure. The flammability, combustion behavior, and thermal degradation and stability of flame‐retarded PP were characterized by using LOI, UL‐94 test, cone calorimetry, and TGA, respectively. By SEM, the char structure of PP‐MTP was analyzed. XRD diffraction tests showed that PP‐matrix of PP‐MTP presented better crystallized phases, when MTP was modified by methyl hydrogen siloxane. The relations of the dispersion of MTP in PP matrix to the compatibility between PP and MTP, and to the flame retardancy were discussed. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Poly(thiaheterohelicene) derived from the long‐alkylated polysulfonium precursor
Authors: Takemura Ichiro , Sone Risa , Nishide Hiroyuki
Published: April 2008

Poly[4,6‐bis(dodecylthio)‐1,3‐phenylene‐alt‐2‐methyl‐1,3‐phenylene] (Poly‐S) was synthesized via Suzuki–Miyaura coupling of 1,3‐dibromo‐2,6‐bis(dodecylthio)benzene and 2‐methyl‐1,3‐phenylenebis(pinacol borate). After quantitative oxidation of the pendant sulfide moiety to the sulfoxide derivative (Poly‐SO), the m‐linked benzene rings were fused via intramolecular ring‐closing condensation with excess triflic acid to form the corresponding poly(sulfonium cation) (Poly‐S+) with a helical structure. Poly‐S+ was quite soluble in non‐polar solvents due to the long alkyl dodecyl chain. The Poly‐S+ film, especially the film cast from its acetone solution, gave a polarized optical micrograph, suggesting an oriented structure of the helical poly(sulfonium) derivative. The X‐ray diffraction pattern of the film supported a hexagonal columnar packing of the polymer. The polysulfonium derivative in the film state was converted to the corresponding poly(thiaheterohelicene) (Poly‐TH) via the dealkylation with a basic potassium hydroxide methanol solution or pyridine. The Poly‐TH film was doped with iodine. Its conductivity was enhanced about 30 times when compared to that of the undoped film. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Transparent and flame retardant PMMA nanocomposites
Authors: Kim Seogjun , Wilkie Charles A.
Published: April 2008

Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) nanocomposites containing an organoclay and triphenyl phosphate (TPP) were prepared by solution blending using a PMMA solution in methyl methacrylate (MMA) solvent. Exfoliated nanostructures were shown by X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The optical transmittance of the PMMA nanocomposites decreased with an increase in the clay content. The improvement in the thermal stability of the PMMA nanocomposites was greater in air than in nitrogen. Nanocomposite formation brought about reductions of the peak heat release rate (PHRR), as measured by cone calorimetry. The combination of the nanoclay and TPP brought about a further decrease in the PHRR and an increase in the average specific extinction area (ASEA, related to smoke production). Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Design and synthesis of graded index plastic optical fibers by copolymeric system
Authors: Koike Kotaro , Mikeš František , Koike Yasuhiro , Okamoto Yoshiyuki
Published: April 2008

Graded index plastic optical fibers (GI POF) based on the copolymer of 2,3,5,6‐tetrafluorophenyl methacrylate (TFPMA) and methyl methacrylate (MMA) were prepared. The copolymers of 10 wt% and 20 wt% of TFPMA with MMA were prepared in bulk using di‐tert‐butyl peroxide as the radical initiator at 90–120°C for 48 hr. The glass transition temperatures (Tg) of the copolymers were 115 and 118°C, and the refractive indexes were 1.4912 and 1.4901 at 589 nm, respectively. The transmittances of the copolymers were a slightly higher than that of pure PMMA. Copolymer tubes (diameter 18 mm, length 600 mm) were prepared by the copolymerization of TFPMA (10 and 20 wt%) with MMA (90 and 80 wt%) as the cladding of the optical fiber. In order to prepare GI POF based on these copolymers, a high refractive index compound, diphenyl sulfide (DPS) $\left( {n_{\rm D}^{20} \, = \,1.6330} \right)$, was added to the mixture of the monomers in the tube (as a core material) and then copolymerized by an interfacial gel polymerization technique. The material dispersion and optimum index exponent g were calculated and found to be very close to that of GI POF prepared from pure PMMA. The obtained copolymer preforms were drawn by heating at 220–250°C with controlling of drawing velocity. The resulting fiber diameter was 0.75 mm and the length was 50–150 m. The attenuation spectra of the fibers were measured and found to be similar to GI POF prepared using pure PMMA. The results indicate that the core material of GI POF can be prepared by a copolymer system in which the refractive indexes of homopolymers are very close to each other and the monomers yield a random copolymer. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Preparation and characterization of sulfonated polyimide ionomers via post‐sulfonation method for fuel cell applications
Authors: Deligöz Hüseyin , Vatansever Sibel , Öksüzömer Faruk , Koç S. Naci , Özgümüş Saadet , Gürkaynak M. Ali
Published: April 2008

This paper describes our work on the synthesis of a series of sulfonated homo‐/co‐polyimides (SPI) which were obtained by post‐sulfonation method over three steps. In the first step, 4,4′‐oxydianiline (ODA) and 4,4′‐diaminodiphenylsulfone (DDS) dissolved in N‐methyl pyrrolidone (NMP) were reacted with benzophenonetetracarboxylic dianhydride (BTDA) in order to yield poly(amic acid) (PAA). Secondly, precipitated PAA was sulfonated via concentrated sulfuric acid (95–98%) at room temperature to give post‐sulfonated PAA (PSPAA). Finally, PSPAA was converted into post‐sulfonated PI (PSPI) by the thermal imidization method. PSPIs with ion exchange capacity (IEC) ranging from 0.20 to 0.67 meq/g were prepared. The thermal properties of the PSPIs were evaluated and high desulfonation temperature was found in the range of 190–350°C, suggesting the high stability of sulfonic acid groups. In water, PSPI‐5 membrane displayed similar proton conductivity to Nafion®117, whereas this membrane showed poor conductivity in dry state. All PSPIs displayed good solubility in common polar aprotic solvents such as NMP and dimethylacetamide (DMAc). Furthermore, the effects of post‐sulfonation reaction on chemical structure, thermal oxidative behavior, and physical properties of the PSPI membranes such as membrane quality/stability and water uptake were discussed. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Nitroxide‐mediated radical polymerization of N‐ethyl‐2‐vinylcarbazole
Authors: Quinn Jeffrey D. , Register Richard A.
Published: April 2008

The hole‐transporting ability of carbazole‐containing polymers makes them attractive for applications in organic electronics. Nitroxide‐mediated radical polymerization (NMRP) offers the potential to create complex macromolecular architectures, including block copolymers, but N‐vinylcarbazole, the simplest and most widely studied carbazole monomer, is known to polymerize poorly by NMRP. Here, we investigate the NMRP of N‐ethyl‐2‐vinylcarbazole (2 VK), a monomer structurally more similar to the styrenes which are known to polymerize well by NMRP, and whose polymer offers a hole mobility an order of magnitude higher than poly(N‐vinylcarbazole). Polymerization of 2 VK from a unimolecular alkoxyamine shows a molecular weight which increases steadily with time, though termination or decomposition of the “living” radical ends is clearly evident from the progressive formation of a low‐molecular‐weight tail as conversion increases. However, a sufficient fraction of the chains remain living that P2VK‐PS diblock copolymer can be formed by chain extension of the P2VK macroinitiator with styrene. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Electrical conductivity, photoconductivity, and optical properties of poly(1,4‐diaminoanthraquinone) organic semiconductor for optoelectronic applications
Authors: Yakuphanoglu Fahrettin , Şenkal B. Filiz
Published: April 2008

The electrical conductivity and optical properties of the poly(1,4‐diaminoanthraquinone) [poly(1,4‐DAAQ)] have been investigated. The electrical conductivity of the polymer increases with temperature and room temperature conductivity was found to be 2.68  10−5 S cm−1. The optical band gap of the polymer is 1.87 eV due to the direct optical transitions. The photoconductivity of the polymer is higher than that of dark conductivity. When the light is switched on, the resistance decreases abruptly and when it is switched off, the resistance increases. This confirms that the polymer is a photoconductive material. The obtained results indicate that the poly(1,4‐DAAQ) is a photoconducting organic semiconductor with photovoltaic and dark current properties. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis and preparation of biodegradable and visible light crosslinkable unsaturated fumarate‐based networks for biomedical applications
Authors: Doulabi Azadeh S. Hashemi , Mirzadeh Hamid , Imani Mohammad , Sharifi Shahriar , Atai Mohammad , Mehdipour‐Ataei Shahram
Published: April 2008

Biodegradable polymers have currently attracted high interest as ideal carriers in drug delivery and tissue engineering applications. In situ forming devices based on these materials will synergistically provide the advantages of the customary prefabricated devices as well as ease of administration. To acheive these objectives, optically transparent and biodegradable macromers based on poly(ethylene glycol) and fumaric acid copolymers were synthesized using propylene oxide as a different proton scavenger to enhance in situ photocrosslinking capability. The macromers in different compositions were then photocured for 300 sec in the presence of a visible light initiator/accelerator couple and also a reactive diluent. Characterization of the macromers and the resulting networks were performed using different spectroscopic, chromatographic, physical, and thermal analysis techniques. The resulted shrinkage strain of the macromers upon photocuring was studied using the bounded disk technique, and initial shrinkage strain rates were obtained by numerical differentiation. Our results suggest that the compositions based on these unsaturated aliphatic polyesters are potentially useful to develop injectable, in situ photocrosslinkable carriers for drug and cell delivery applications. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Wilms tumour in Sudan
Authors: Abuidris Dafalla O. , Elimam Mohammed E. , Nugud Faisal M. , Elgaili Elgaili M. , Ahmed Mohamed E. , Arora Ramandeep S.
Published: April 2008

Background

Wilms tumour is one of the commonest childhood solid tumours which has an excellent outlook in the developed world with 5‐year overall survival exceeding 90%. There is little information from Sudan regarding Wilms tumour.

Procedure

Records of patients with Wilms tumour diagnosed and treated at Institute of Nuclear Medicine, Molecular Biology and Oncology (INMO) in the University of Gezira from May 1999 to June 2007 were reviewed.

Results

Thirty‐seven children presented at a mean age of 4.1 years (range 2 months–13 years). The male to female ratio was 0.9–1. Abdominal swelling or mass was the commonest symptom. There was 1 child with Stage I (2.7%), 7 with stage II (18.9%), 25 with Stage III (67.6%) and 4 with Stage IV (10.8%). Following diagnosis 27% of children did not receive further treatment (5.4% died prior to treatment, 5.4% were not able to finance treatment and for the rest 16.2% no cause was identified). More than half of the children did not have a nephrectomy and only 4 (11%) completed treatment.

Conclusions

The poor outlook is related to several factors. Delayed presentation, poor awareness of treatment options, lack of finances, no provision of food, lodging and transport, absence of paediatric trained staff are the obstacles to better outcomes. Empowering parents with information, giving chemotherapy prior to nephrectomy, training staff and establishing links with a tertiary cancer centre in the developed world are some of the options to improve survival. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2008;50:1135–1137. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The potential role of purine‐rich element binding protein (PUR) α as a novel treatment target for hormone‐refractory prostate cancer
Authors: Inoue Takahiro , Leman Eddy S. , Yeater David B. , Getzenberg Robert H.
Published: April 2008

BACKGROUND

Hormonal therapy for advanced prostate cancer is typically effective at first, but almost all men suffer refractory disease which often is life threatening. The nuclear matrix comprises not only of the structural elements of the nucleus, but is associated with many components of the molecular machinery. Our aim is to find novel targets for the treatment of hormone‐refractory prostate cancer (HRPC) by focusing on the composition of the nuclear matrix proteins (NMPs).

METHODS

LN96 cells were established at our Institution after long‐term culturing of LNCaP cells under androgen deprived conditions. The composition of NMPs of LNCaP cells and LN96 cells were analyzed by two‐dimensional (2D) electrophoresis and spots differentially expressed were investigated by mass spectrometry for identification. Among the spots identified, we analyzed the potential functional role of the identified proteins in prostate cancer cells by establishing stable overexpressed cells.

RESULTS

We found that purine‐rich element binding protein (PUR)α was significantly repressed not only in NMPs but also in total protein and mRNA levels of LN96 cells in comparison to LNCaP cells under the same steroid deprived conditions. Moreover, PURα was decreased in its expression both at the protein and mRNA levels in the androgen‐independent prostate cancer cell lines, PC3 and DU145 in comparison to LNCaP cells. Stably overexpressing PURα in PC3 and DU145 cells negatively regulates cell proliferation, resulting in decreases in PCNA expression.

CONCLUSION

Further dissection of the role of PURα in cell growth regulation may reveal a novel target for HRPC. Prostate 68:1048–1056, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Protease‐activated receptor‐1 upregulates fibroblast growth factor 7 in stroma of benign prostatic hyperplasia
Authors: Wang Wenbin , Zhang Xiaotun , Mize Gregory J. , Takayama Thomas K.
Published: April 2008

BACKGROUND

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is characterized by abnormal epithelial and stromal proliferation causing urinary obstruction. Prostate growth is regulated by a variety of growth factors secreted from the stroma, including fibroblast growth factor 7 (FGF‐7), a potent epithelial‐specific growth factor which is increased in hyperplastic prostate. However, the mediator(s) of FGF‐7 over‐expression is unclear. Protease‐activated receptor‐1 (PAR‐1) is a G‐protein coupled receptor known to induce multiple biological processes, but its effect on BPH pathogenesis is mostly unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of PAR‐1 as a mediator of BPH development.

METHODS

PAR‐1 expression was investigated in BPH and normal prostate tissues by immunohistochemistry. Prostate stromal cells were isolated from BPH specimens, cultured and immunohistochemically characterized. Cultured stromal cells were stimulated with PAR‐1 agonists, and extracellular‐signal regulated kinase (ERK1/2) activation and cell proliferation were examined. PAR‐1 mediated FGF‐7 production by cultured stromal cells was assessed by RT‐PCR and immunoassays, and verified by small interfering RNA (siRNA).

RESULTS

PAR‐1 expression was increased in BPH stroma. In stromal cells isolated from BPH tissues, PAR‐1 agonists activated ERK1/2 in a time‐ and concentration‐dependent manner and with resultant enhanced cell proliferation. Pertussis toxin‐sensitive G protein/(βγ‐subunits)‐phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase and protein kinase C pathways were involved in ERK1/2 phosphorylation. PAR‐1 activation strikingly induced FGF‐7 production from cultured stromal cells mediated predominantly via ERK1/2 signaling pathway, and PAR‐1 siRNA decreased the elicited FGF‐7 upregulation.

CONCLUSIONS

The expression and function of PAR‐1 in BPH stroma indicate PAR‐1 may play important roles in BPH pathogenesis. Prostate 68:1064–1075, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
X‐ray structures of Sap1 and Sap5: Structural comparison of the secreted aspartic proteinases from Candida albicans
Authors: Borelli Claudia , Ruge Elisabeth , Lee Jung Hoon , Schaller Martin , Vogelsang Alexandra , Monod Michel , Korting Hans Christian , Huber Robert , Maskos Klaus
Published: April 2008

Proteolytic activity is an important virulence factor for Candida albicans (C. albicans). It is attributed to the family of the secreted aspartic proteinases (Saps) from C. albicans with a minimum of 10 members. Saps show controlled expression and regulation for the individual stages of the infection process. Distinct isoenzymes can be responsible for adherence and tissue damage of local infections, while others cause systemic diseases. Earlier, only the structures of Sap2 and Sap3 were known. In our research, we have now succeeded in solving the X‐ray crystal structures of the apoenzyme of Sap1 and Sap5 in complex with pepstatin A at 2.05 and 2.5 Å resolution, respectively. With the structure of Sap1, we have completed the set of structures of isoenzyme subgroup Sap1‐3. Of subgroup Sap4‐6, the structure of the enzyme Sap5 is the first structure that has been described up to now. This facilitates comparison of structural details as well as inhibitor binding modes among the different subgroup members. Structural analysis reveals a highly conserved overall secondary structure of Sap1‐3 and Sap5. However, Sap5 clearly differs from Sap1‐3 by its electrostatic overall charge as well as through structural conformation of its entrance to the active site cleft. Design of inhibitors specific for Sap5 should concentrate on the S4 and S3 pockets, which significantly differ from Sap1‐3 in size and electrostatic charge. Both Sap1 and Sap5 seem to play a major part in superficial Candida infections. Determination of the isoenzymes' structures can contribute to the development of new Sap‐specific inhibitors for the treatment of superficial infections with a structure‐based drug design program. Proteins 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Structure‐based tailoring of compound libraries for high‐throughput screening: Discovery of novel EphB4 kinase inhibitors
Authors: Kolb Peter , Kipouros Catherine Berset , Huang Danzhi , Caflisch Amedeo
Published: April 2008

High‐throughput docking is a computational tool frequently used to discover small‐molecule inhibitors of enzymes or receptors of known three‐dimensional structure. Because of the large number of molecules in chemical libraries, automatic procedures to prune multimillion compound collections are useful for high‐throughput docking and necessary for in vitro screening. Here, we propose an anchor‐based library tailoring approach (termed ALTA) to focus a chemical library by docking and prioritizing molecular fragments according to their binding energy which includes continuum electrostatics solvation. In principle, ALTA does not require prior knowledge of known inhibitors, but receptor‐based pharmacophore information (hydrogen bonds with the hinge region) is additionally used here to identify molecules with optimal anchor fragments for the ATP‐binding site of the EphB4 receptor tyrosine kinase. The 21,418 molecules of the focused library (from an initial collection of about 730,000) are docked into EphB4 and ranked by force‐field‐based energy including electrostatic solvation. Among the 43 compounds tested in vitro, eight molecules originating from two different anchors show low‐micromolar activity in a fluorescence‐based enzymatic assay. Four of them are active in a cell‐based assay and are potential anti‐angiogenic compounds. Proteins 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.