bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Crush Stenting With Drug‐Eluting Stents: Relevance of Coronary Bifurcation Lesion Location on Angiographic and Clinical Outcomes
Authors: Chen Shao‐Liang , Zhang Jun‐jie , Ye Fei , Liu Zhi‐zhong , Zhu Zhong‐sheng , Lin Song , Tian Nai‐liang , Fang Wei‐yi , Chen Yun‐dai , Sun Xue‐wen , Wei Meng , Shan Shou‐jie , Kan Jing , Qian Jun , Yang Song , Yuan Zeng‐bai , Kwan Tak W. , Hu Da‐Yi
Published: September 2010

Background

Data on the relevance of the location of coronary bifurcation lesions treated by crush stenting with outcomes were limited.

Hypothesis

We hypothesized that the location of the bifurcation lesion correlated with clinical outcome.

Method

A total of 212 patients with 230 true bifurcation lesions treated by crush stenting with drug‐eluting stents (DES) were assessed prospectively. Surveillance quantitative angiographies were indexed at 8 months after procedure. Primary endpoint was major adverse cardiac events (MACE), defined as cardiac death, myocardial infarction, and target lesion revascularization (TLR).

Results

Patients in the distal right coronary artery (RCAd) group were characterized by higher proportions of prior myocardial infarction and very tortuous lesions. However, lesions in the RCAd group, compared to those of other groups, had the lowest late lumen loss, with resultant lowest incidence of MACE at a mean follow‐up of 268±35 days. Independent predictors of MACE included unsatisfied kissing (KUS; hazard ratio [HR]: 12.14, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 4.01–12.10, P = .001) and non‐RCA lesion (HR: 20.69, 95% CI: 5.05–22.38, P = .001), while those of TLR were KUS (HR: 10.21, 95% CI: 0.01–0.34, P = .002), bifurcation angle (HR: 4.728, 95% CI: 2.541–4.109, P = .001), and non‐RCA lesion (HR: 16.05, 95%CI: 1.01–4.83, P = .001).

Conclusions

Classical crush stenting with drug‐eluting stents is associated with significantly better outcomes in RCAd. Quality of kissing inflation is mandatory to improve outcome. Copyright © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
State‐of‐the‐art process for the safe synthesis of anticancer drugs
Authors: Ammoscato Vince , Wickenheiser Rebecca , Henderson John , Munk Stephen
Published: September 2010

Most cancer drugs are quite potent and represent a potential hazard to chemists conducting their synthesis. Chemical development teams must therefore integrate proper handing techniques for such compounds into their development plans. We describe the synthesis of the drug busulfan using barrier isolation technology. These systems are a general solution for the safe handling of many potent drugs, including those used to treat cancer. Drug Dev Res 71: 439–444, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Synthesis of a Chiral Palladacycle and Its Application in Asymmetric Hydrophosphanation Reactions (Eur. J. Inorg. Chem. 28/2010)
Authors: Ding Yi , Zhang Yi , Li Yongxin , Pullarkat Sumod A. , Andrews Paul , Leung Pak‐Hing
Published: September 2010

The cover picture shows a novel chiral palladacycle, which was readily prepared from p‐xylene and then resolved through the separation of its (S)‐prolinate diastereomeric derivatives. The catalytic ability of the newly synthesized palladacycle was demonstrated in the preparation of a new diester‐substituted diphosphane ligand by an asymmetric hydrophosphanation reaction, which proceeded with excellent selectivity. Details are discussed in the article by P.‐H. Leung et al. on p. 4427 ff. The key molecule is depicted as superimposed over the image of the Chinese Heritage Centre building at the Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, and is meant to represent the contributions of Asian authors/readers to the European Journal of Inorganic Chemistry.
Lab‐on‐a‐chip device for continuous particle and cell separation based on electrical properties via alternating current dielectrophoresis
Authors: Çetin Barbaros , Li Dongqing
Published: September 2010

A novel alternating current‐dielectrophoresis microfluidic chip was developed to separate particles and cells continuously by their electric properties. The flow is induced by pressure gradient. A pair of simple, 3‐D electrodes was used to achieve a localized nonuniform electric field. Dielectrophoretic force is generated in the transverse direction to the flow by inserting the electrodes along the channel side walls. The localized electric field is important to reduce the Joule heating and any adverse effects of electrical field on biological cells. Latex particles of different sizes and white blood cells (8–12 μm) were manipulated successfully and the separation of 10 μm latex particles and white blood cells based on their different electrical properties was demonstrated.
“Click” chemistry‐based surface modification of poly(dimethylsiloxane) for protein separation in a microfluidic chip
Authors: Zhang Zhaowei , Feng Xiaojun , Xu Fei , Liu Xin , Liu Bi‐Feng
Published: September 2010

“Click” chemistry‐based surface modification strategy was developed for PDMS microchips to enhance separation performance for both amino acids and proteins. Alkyne‐PEG was synthesized by a conventional procedure and then “click” grafted to azido‐PDMS. FTIR absorption by attenuated total reflection and contact angle measurements proved efficient grafting of alkyne‐PEG onto PDMS surface. Manifest EOF regulation and stability of PEG‐functionalized PDMS microchips were illustrated via EOF measurements and protein adsorption investigations. The stability of nonspecific protein adsorption resistance property was investigated up to 30 days. Separation of fluorescence‐labeled amino acids and proteins was further demonstrated with high repeatability and reproducibility. Comparison of protein separation using PDMS microchips before and after surface modification suggested greatly improved electrophoretic performance of the PEG‐functionalized PDMS microchips. We expect the “click” chemistry‐based surface modification method to have wide applications in microseparation of proteins with long‐term surface stability.
Simultaneous effects of heat and mass transfer on time‐dependent flow over a stretching surface
Authors: Hayat T. , Awais M.
Published: September 2010

This article deals with the combined effects of heat and mass transfer on the two‐dimensional time‐dependent flow of a second grade fluid bounded by a stretching surface. The present analysis takes into consideration the Soret and Dufour's effects in the presence of a chemical reaction. The governing equations for velocity, concentration, and temperature fields are derived. Using the homotopy analysis method, the solution of outcoming equations are computed. Graphical results for velocity, temperature, and concentration fields are reported and analyzed. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Human T cell microparticles circulate in blood of hepatitis patients and induce fibrolytic activation of hepatic stellate cells
Authors: Kornek Miroslaw , Popov Yury , Libermann Towia A. , Afdhal Nezam H. , Schuppan Detlef
Published: September 2010

Microparticles (MPs) are small cell membrane vesicles that are released from cells during apoptosis or activation. Although circulating platelet MPs have been studied in some detail, the existence and functional role of T cell MPs remain elusive. We show that blood from patients with active hepatitis C (alanine aminotransferase [ALT] level >100 IU/mL) contains elevated numbers of T cell MPs compared with patients with mild hepatitis C (ALT <40 IU/mL) and healthy controls. T cell MPs fuse with cell membranes of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), the major effector cells for excess matrix deposition in liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. MP uptake is partly intercellular adhesion molecule 1–dependent and leads to activation of nuclear factor kappa B and extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 and subsequent up-regulation of fibrolytic genes in HSCs, down-regulation of procollagen α1(I) messenger RNA, and blunting of profibrogenic activities of transforming growth factor β1.

Ex vivo

, the induced fibrolytic activity is evident in MPs derived from activated CD4+ T cells and is highest in MPs derived from activated and apoptotic CD8+ T cells. Mass spectrometry, fluorescence-activated cell sorting analysis, and function blocking antibodies revealed CD147/Emmprin as a candidate transmembrane molecule in HSC fibrolytic activation by CD8+ T cell MPs.

Conclusion:

Circulating T cell MPs are a novel diagnostic marker for inflammatory liver diseases, and

in vivo

induction of T cell MPs may be a novel strategy to induce regression of liver fibrosis. (Hepatology 2011.)
Detailed descriptions of routes traveled, but not map‐like knowledge, correlates with tests of hippocampal function in older adults
Authors: Hirshhorn Marnie , Newman Leorra , Moscovitch Morris
Published: September 2010

We examined hippocampal contribution to remote spatial memory in older adults by correlating their performance on tests sensitive to hippocampal damage with their description of routes they traversed many times or only once, and with their map‐like knowledge of downtown Toronto. We found that performance on table‐top tests of spatial location (Smith and Milner (1981) Neuropsychologia 19:781–793) and on paired‐associate learning, and the number of Internal Details on the Autobiographical Interview (Levine et al., (2002) Psychol Aging 17:677–689), all correlated significantly with the number and type of perceptual details used in describing routes one has traversed, but not with map‐like knowledge of Toronto. No significant correlations were found with performance on tests of frontal function (WCST, phonemic fluency, and backward digit span). We conclude that the hippocampus is implicated in vivid re‐experiencing of a familiar route, but not with map‐like knowledge of a large‐scale environment. These findings are interpreted as consistent with Multiple Trace Theory's prediction that it is the degree of detail of a retrieved memory that is crucially dependent on the hippocampus. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Effects of Prandtl number on three‐dimensional mixed convection in a horizontal square duct with heated and cooled side walls
Authors: Toriyama Koji , Ichimiya Koichi
Published: September 2010

We examined the effects of Prandtl number on three‐dimensional mixed convection in a horizontal square duct with heated and cooled side walls numerically. Non‐dimensional governing equations were solved for Re = 100, Pr = 0.1–10, and Ri = 36.44 by the SIMPLE method. The numerical results show that the swirl flow was generated along the flow direction, and its pitch lengthened with the increase of Pr. We also examined the strength of swirl flow using the swirl number, S, and we discuss heat transfer behavior as it corresponded to the flow. Heat transfer was promoted by the swirl flow with all Pr, and the optimum value existed within these Pr. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heat Trans Asian Res; Published online in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com). DOI 10.1002/htj.20319
Zinc deficiency activates S100A8 inflammation in the absence of COX‐2 and promotes murine oral‐esophageal tumor progression
Authors: Wan Shao‐Gui , Taccioli Cristian , Jiang Yubao , Chen Hongping , Smalley Karl J. , Huang Kun , Liu Xiu‐Ping , Farber John L. , Croce Carlo M. , Fong Louise Y. Y.
Published: September 2010

Zinc (Zn)‐deficiency (ZD) is implicated in the pathogenesis of human oral‐esophageal cancers. Previously, we showed that in ZD mice genetic deletion of cyclooxygenase‐2 (Cox‐2) enhances N‐nitrosomethylbenzylamine‐induced forestomach carcinogenesis. By contrast, Cox‐2 deletion offers protection in Zn‐sufficient (ZS) mice. We hypothesize that ZD activates pathways insensitive to COX‐2 inhibition, thereby promoting carcinogenesis. This hypothesis is tested in a Cox‐2−/− mouse tongue cancer model that mimics pharmacologic blockade of COX‐2 by firstly examining transcriptome profiles of forestomach mucosa from Cox‐2−/− and wild‐type mice on a ZD vs. ZS diet, and secondly investigating the roles of identified markers in mouse forestomach/tongue preneoplasia and carcinomas. In Cox‐2−/− mice exposed to the tongue carcinogen 4‐nitroquinoline 1‐oxide, dietary ZD elicited tongue/esophagus/forestomach carcinomas that were prevented by ZS. The precancerous ZD:Cox‐2−/−vs. ZS:Cox‐2−/− forestomach had an inflammatory signature with upregulation of the proinflammation genes S100a8 and S100a9. Bioinformatics analysis revealed overrepresentation of inflammation processes comprising S100a8/a9 and an nuclear factor (NF)‐κB network with connectivity to S100A8. Immunohistochemistry revealed co‐overexpression of S100A8, its heterodimeric partner S100A9, the receptor for advanced glycation end‐products (RAGE), NF‐κB p65, and cyclin D1, in ZD:Cox‐2−/− forestomach/tongue preneoplasia and carcinomas, evidence for the activation of a RAGE‐S100A8/A9 inflammatory pathway. Accumulation of p53 in these carcinomas indicated activation of additional inflammatory pathways. Zn‐replenishment in ZD:Cox‐2−/−mice reversed the inflammation and inhibited carcinogenesis. Thus, ZD activates alternative inflammation‐associated cancer pathways that fuel tumor progression and bypass the antitumor effect of Cox‐2 ablation. These findings have important clinical implications, as combination cancer therapy that includes Zn may improve efficacy.
Characterization of metastatic breast cancer patients with nondetectable circulating tumor cells
Authors: Mego Michal , De Giorgi Ugo , Dawood Shahenaah , Wang Xuemei , Valero Vicente , Andreopoulou Eleni , Handy Beverly , Ueno Naoto T. , Reuben James M. , Cristofanilli Massimo
Published: September 2010

Circulating tumor cells (CTC) are an independent prognostic factor in metastatic breast cancer patients (MBC). However, CTC are undetectable in one third of patients. The aim of this study was to assess the prognostic factors in MBC patients without detectable CTC. This retrospective study included 292 MBC patients evaluated between January 2004 and December 2007. CTC were enumerated before patients started a new line of treatment using the CellSearch™. Overall survival (OS) was calculated from the date of CTC measurement and estimated by the Kaplan‐Meier product limit method. CTC were not detected in 35.96% patients, whereas 40.75% patients had CTC ≥ 5. Undetectable CTC status was positively correlated with presence of brain metastasis (OR: 6.17, 95%CI = 2.14–17.79; p = 0.001), and inversely correlated with bone metastasis (OR: 0.47; 95%CI = 0.27–0.80; p = 0.01). In multivariate analysis, hormone receptors, number of metastatic sites and lines of therapy were independent prognostic factors for OS in patients without detectable CTC. Patients without detectable CTC before starting of a new line of therapy comprise a heterogeneous group with substantially different prognosis. We showed that some important metastatic disease characteristics are predictive of undetectable CTC status in MBC.
Transient arrest in a quiescent state allows ovarian cancer cells to survive suboptimal growth conditions and is mediated by both Mirk/dyrk1b and p130/Rb2
Authors: Hu Jing , Nakhla Hassan , Friedman Eileen
Published: September 2010

Some ovarian cancer cells in vivo are in a reversible quiescent state where they can contribute to cancer spread under favorable growth conditions. The serine/threonine kinase Mirk/dyrk1B was expressed in each of seven ovarian cancer cell lines and in 21 of 28 resected human ovarian cancers, and upregulated in 60% of the cancers. Some ovarian cancer cells were found in a G0 quiescent state, with the highest fraction in a line with an amplified Mirk gene. Suboptimal culture conditions increased the G0 fraction in SKOV3 and TOV21G, but not OVCAR4 cultures. Less than half as many OVCAR4 cells survived under suboptimal culture conditions as shown by total cell numbers, dye exclusion viability studies, and assay of cleaved apoptotic marker proteins. G0 arrest in TOV21G and SKOV3 cells led to increased levels of Mirk, the CDK inhibitor p27, p130/Rb2, and p130/Rb2 complexed with E2F4. The G0 arrest was transient, and cells exited G0 when fresh nutrients were supplied. Depletion of p130/Rb2 reduced the G0 fraction, increased cell sensitivity to serum‐free culture and to cisplatin, and reduced Mirk levels. Mirk contributed to G0 arrest by destabilization of cyclin D1. In TOV21G cells, but not in normal diploid fibroblasts, Mirk depletion led to increased apoptosis and loss of viability. Because Mirk is expressed at low levels in most normal adult tissues, the elevated Mirk protein levels in ovarian cancers may present a novel therapeutic target, in particular for quiescent tumor cells which are difficult to eradicate by conventional therapies targeting dividing cells.
MYBL2, a link between proliferation and differentiation in maturing colon epithelial cells
Authors: Papetti Michael , Augenlicht Leonard H.
Published: September 2010

Multiple signals, controlling both proliferation and differentiation, must be integrated in the reprogramming of intestinal epithelial cells during maturation along the crypt‐luminal axis. The v‐myb family member Mybl2, a molecule implicated in the development and maintenance of the stem cell phenotype, has been suggested to play an important role in proliferation and differentiation of several cell types and is a gene we have found is commonly regulated in several systems of colon cell maturation both in vitro and in vivo. Here we show that siRNA silencing of Mybl2 in proliferating Caco‐2 cells increases expression of the cell‐cycle regulators cdk2, cyclin D2, and c‐myc and decreases expression of cdc25B and cyclin B2 with a consequent 10% increase of cells in G2/M and a complementary 10% decrease in G1. Mybl2 occupies sequences upstream of transcriptional start sites of cyclin D2, c‐myc, cyclin B2, and cdc25B and regulates reporter activity driven by upstream regions of cdk2, cyclin D2, and c‐myc. These data suggest that Mybl2 plays a subtle but key role in linking specific aspects of cell‐cycle progression with generation of signals for differentiation and may therefore be fundamental in commitment of intestinal epithelial cells to differentiation pathways during their maturation. J. Cell. Physiol. 226: 785–791, 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
T cell suppression by osteoclasts in vitro
Authors: Grassi Francesco , Manferdini Cristina , Cattini Luca , Piacentini Anna , Gabusi Elena , Facchini Andrea , Lisignoli Gina
Published: September 2010

T cells are critical regulators of osteoclast differentiation and function in bone, but whether osteoclasts can, in turn, regulate T cell homing, and response to stimuli is unclear. To investigate whether osteoclasts are immune competent cells, the expression of HLA Class II and costimulatory receptors was evaluated by RT‐PCR and immunohistochemistry by comparing osteoclast precursors and mature osteoclasts. T‐cell‐attracting chemokines were measured in the supernatants of confluent cultures of osteoclasts and compared with mesenchymal stromal cells and osteoblasts. T cell proliferation, cytokine production, and apoptosis were assayed in co‐cultures with osteoclasts in the presence or absence of mitogenic stimuli. To define the mechanism of action of osteoclasts, cytokine‐blocking experiments were performed. Our findings revealed that mature osteoclasts constitutively expressed Class II HLA in the membrane and upregulate the expression of CD40 and CD80 during differentiation. Osteoclasts secreted high levels of most T cell chemoattractants and effectively retained T cells in adhesion assays. Moreover, the osteoclasts potently blunted T cell response to PHA and CD3/CD28 stimulation, thus inhibiting proliferation, suppressing T cell TNFα and IFNγ production and decreasing T cell apoptosis by a mostly cell‐contact independent mechanism. In conclusion, osteoclasts are immune‐competent cells which can retain T cells and suppress in vitro T cell response to proliferative stimuli. J. Cell. Physiol. 226: 982–990, 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Comparative genomics of NAD(P) biosynthesis and novel antibiotic drug targets
Authors: Bi Jicai , Wang Honghai , Xie Jianping
Published: September 2010

NAD(P) is an indispensable cofactor for all organisms and its biosynthetic pathways are proposed as promising novel antibiotics targets against pathogens such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Six NAD(P) biosynthetic pathways were reconstructed by comparative genomics: de novo pathway (Asp), de novo pathway (Try), NmR pathway I (RNK‐dependent), NmR pathway II (RNK‐independent), Niacin salvage, and Niacin recycling. Three enzymes pivotal to the key reactions of NAD(P) biosynthesis are shared by almost all organisms, that is, NMN/NaMN adenylyltransferase (NMN/NaMNAT), NAD synthetase (NADS), and NAD kinase (NADK). They might serve as ideal broad spectrum antibiotic targets. Studies in M. tuberculosis have in part tested such hypothesis. Three regulatory factors NadR, NiaR, and NrtR, which regulate NAD biosynthesis, have been identified. M. tuberculosis NAD(P) metabolism and regulation thereof, potential drug targets and drug development are summarized in this paper. J. Cell. Physiol. 226: 331–340, 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Voltage‐gated K+ channels play a role in cAMP‐stimulated neuritogenesis in mouse neuroblastoma N2A cells
Authors: Leung Yuk‐Man , Huang Chien‐Fang , Chao Chia‐Chia , Lu Dah‐Yuu , Kuo Chang‐Shin , Cheng Tzu‐Hurng , Chang Li‐Yun , Chou Chun‐Hsiao
Published: September 2010

Neuritogenesis is essential in establishing the neuronal circuitry. An important intracellular signal causing neuritogenesis is cAMP. In this report, we showed that an increase in intracellular cAMP stimulated neuritogenesis in neuroblastoma N2A cells via a PKA‐dependent pathway. Two voltage‐gated K+ (Kv) channel blockers, 4‐aminopyridine (4‐AP) and tetraethylammonium (TEA), inhibited cAMP‐stimulated neuritogenesis in N2A cells in a concentration‐dependent manner that remarkably matched their ability to inhibit Kv currents in these cells. Consistently, siRNA knock down of Kv1.1, Kv1.4, and Kv2.1 expression reduced Kv currents and inhibited cAMP‐stimulated neuritogenesis. Kv1.1, Kv1.4, and Kv2.1 channels were expressed in the cell bodies and neurites as shown by immunohistochemistry. Microfluorimetric imaging of intracellular [K+] demonstrated that [K+] in neurites was lower than that in the cell body. We also showed that cAMP‐stimulated neuritogenesis may not involve voltage‐gated Ca2+ or Na+ channels. Taken together, the results suggest a role of Kv channels and enhanced K+ efflux in cAMP/PKA‐stimulated neuritogenesis in N2A cells. J. Cell. Physiol. 226: 1090–1098, 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Accumulation of protein carbonyls within cerebellar astrocytes in murine experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis
Authors: Zheng Jianzheng , Bizzozero Oscar A.
Published: September 2010

Recent work from our laboratory has implicated protein carbonylation in the pathophysiology of multiple sclerosis (MS) and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). The present study was designed to determine the changes in protein carbonylation during disease progression and to identify the target cells and modified proteins in the cerebellum of EAE animals, prepared by active immunization of C57/BL6 mice with MOG35–55 peptide. In this model, protein carbonylation was maximal at the peak of the disease (acute phase), to decrease thereafter (chronic phase). Double‐immunofluorescence microscopy of affected cerebella showed that carbonyls accumulate in white matter astrocytes and to a lesser extent in microglia/macrophages, in both the acute and the chronic phase. Surprisingly, T cells, oligodendrocytes, and neurons were barely stained. By 2D oxyblot and mass spectrometry, β‐actin, β‐tubulin, GFAP, and HSC‐71 were identified as the major targets of carbonylation throughout the disease. Using a pull‐down/Western blot method, we found a significant increase in the proportion of carbonylated β‐actin, β‐tubulin, and GFAP in the chronic phase but not in the acute phase. These results suggest that as disease progresses from the inflammatory to the neurodegenerative phase there may be an inappropriate removal of oxidized cytoskeletal proteins. Additionally, the extensive accumulation of carbonylated GFAP in the chronic phase of EAE may be responsible for the abnormal shape of astrocytes observed at this stage. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Homozygous inactivation of theLGI1gene results in hypomyelination in the peripheral and central nervous systems
Authors: Silva Jeane , Sharma Suash , Hughes Bernard , Yu Y. Eugene , Cowell John K.
Published: September 2010

Mutations in theLGI1gene in humans predispose to the development of autosomal dominant partial epilepsy with auditory features (ADPEAF). Homozygous inactivation of theLgi1gene in mice results in an epilepsy phenotype characterized by clonic seizures within 2–3 weeks after birth. Before onset of seizures, the 2–3‐week‐old null mutant mice show poor locomotor activity and neuromuscular strength. EM analysis of the sciatic nerve demonstrates impaired myelination of axons in the peripheral nervous system. Although heterozygous mutant mice do not show any locomotor phenotypes, they also demonstrate an intermediate level of hypomyelination compared with the wild‐type mice. Hypomyelination was also observed in the central nervous system, which, although relatively mild, was still significantly different from that of the wild‐type mice. These data suggest a role for LGI1 in the myelination functions of Schwann cells and oligodendrocytes. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Overexpression of Wlds or Nmnat2 in mauthner cells by single‐cell electroporation delays axon degeneration in live zebrafish
Authors: Feng Yan , Yan Tingting , Zheng Jin , Ge Xinjian , Mu Yu , Zhang Yi , Wu Dongmei , Du Jiu‐lin , Zhai Qiwei
Published: September 2010

Axon degeneration is supposed to be a therapeutic target for treating neurodegenerative diseases. Mauthner cells (M‐cells) are ideal for studying axons in vivo because of their limited numbers, large size, and long axons. In this study, we labeled M‐cells by single‐cell electroporation with plasmids expressing DsRed2 or EGFP. Injury‐induced axon degeneration in labeled M‐cell was imaged under a confocal microscope, and we found that the Mauthner axons started to degenerate about 24 hr after lesion. The WldS protein containing full‐length Nmnat1 is well‐known for its axon‐protective function in many systems. Overexpression of WldS in M‐cells also greatly delayed axon degeneration in live zebrafish. Nmnat2 is the only Nmnat highly expressed in brain. Here we demonstrated that overexpression of Nmnat2 in M‐cells significantly delayed axon degeneration in vivo, and disruption of the NAD synthesis activity of Nmnat2 markedly attenuated its axon‐protective function. All these data show that injury‐induced axon degeneration of M‐cell has a mechanism similar to that in mammalians and would be a valuable model for studying axon degeneration in vivo. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Fluoxetine promotes gliogenesis during neural differentiation in mouse embryonic stem cells
Authors: Kusakawa Shinji , Nakamura Kazuaki , Miyamoto Yuki , Sanbe Atsushi , Torii Tomohiro , Yamauchi Junji , Tanoue Akito
Published: September 2010

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are commonly prescribed for treatment of mood disorders and depression, even during pregnancy and lactation. SSRIs are thought to be much safer than tricyclic antidepressants, with a low risk of embryonic toxicity. Several recent studies, however, have reported that fetal exposure to SSRIs increases the risk of adverse effects during fetal and neonatal development. This is consistent with our previous finding that fluoxetine, a prototypical SSRI, profoundly affected the viability of cultured embryonic stem (ES) cells as well as their ability to differentiate into cardiomyocytes. Furthermore, we found that fluoxetine induced fluctuations in ectodermal marker gene expression during ES cell differentiation, which suggests that fluoxetine may affect neural development. In the present study, we investigated the effects of fluoxetine on the process of differentiation from ES cells into neural cells using the stromal cell‐derived inducing activity (SDIA) method. Fluoxetine treatment was found to enhance the expression of glial marker genes following neural differentiation, as observed by immunocytochemical analysis or quantitative RT‐PCR. The promoter activity of glial marker genes was also significantly enhanced when cells were treated with fluoxetine, as observed by luciferase reporter assay. The expression of neuronal markers during ES cell differentiation into neural cells, on the other hand, was inhibited by fluoxetine treatment. In addition, FACS analysis revealed an increased population of glial cells in the differentiating ES cells treated with fluoxetine. These results suggest that fluoxetine could facilitate the differentiation of mouse ES cells into glial cell lineage, which may affect fetal neural development. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Battlefield visitor motivations: explorations in the Great War town of Ieper, Belgium
Authors: Winter Caroline
Published: September 2010

In this study a quantitative method was used to measure the motivations for education, holiday and remembrance for an international sample of visitors to the Great War town of Ieper in Belgium. Three clusters could be formed based upon different structure and intensity of their motivations. A small number of visitors could be identified as pilgrims, while the remainder were tourists, and they evidenced most of the characteristics of the pilgrims. The theory of thanatourism provides a framework through which the motivations and experiences of battlefield tourists for remembrance and education as well as leisure can be better understood. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Studies on the Atom Transfer Radical Branching Copolymerization of Styrene and Acrylonitrile with Divinyl Benzene as the Branching Agent
Authors: Huang Wenyan , Zheng Yiliang , Jiang Bibiao , Zhang Dongliang , Chen Jianhai , Yang Yang , Liu Chunlin , Zhai Guangqun , Kong Lizhi , Gong Fanghong
Published: September 2010

The branching copolymerization of styrene and acrylonitrile with divinyl benzene as the branching agent was carried out using atom transfer radical polymerization. Nuclear magnetic resonance and triple detection size exclusion chromatography were used to analyze the reaction. The results suggest that the coupling reaction mainly takes place between the primary chains, forming slightly branched chains in the early stages. The coupling reaction between the branched chains becomes significant at the middle stages, forming highly branched chains. The reaction system consists of primary chains, slightly branched chains containing two primary chains and highly branched chains comprised of more than three primary chains. The weight fraction of the branched chains increases expectedly with monomer conversion.

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Poly[2,6‐(1,4‐phenylene)‐benzobisimidazole] Nanofiber Networks
Authors: Gong Jin , Uchida Tetsuya , Yamazaki Shinichi , Kimura Kunio
Published: September 2010

The preparation of poly[2,6‐(1,4‐phenylene)‐benzobisimidazole] (PPBI) nanofibers was examined using the crystallization of oligomers during isothermal polymerization of self‐polymerizable 2‐(1,4‐carbophenoxyphenyl)‐5,6‐diaminobenzimidazole. The polymerization was carried out at 350 °C at a concentration of 1wt.‐% for 6 h in three kinds of solvent. The solvent influenced the morphology of PPBI precipitates significantly, and PPBI nanofiber networks were successfully formed in DBT, of which the width ranged from 30 to 110 nm. Molecules were aligned along the long axis of nanofibers. A fibrillar morphology with molecular orientation is ideal for high performance materials such as reinforcements, non‐woven fabrics and so on. The nanofiber networks exhibit the highest thermal stability.

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Interpolation of Herz Spaces and Applications
Authors: Hernández Eugenio , Yang Dachun
Published: September 2010

C. Herz introduced in [Hr] some new spaces to study properties of functions. An Interesting account, with many applications, of some particular cases of the generalized Herz spaces is given in [BS]. In this paper we first identify the duals of the generalized Herz spaces. Then, we characterize their intermediate spaces when the complex method of interpolation for families of spaces Is used. Applications are given that show the bounded ness of many operators on the generalized Herz spaces.
A Road Less Traveled to Functional Polymers: Epoxide Termination in Living Carbanionic Polymer Synthesis
Authors: Tonhauser Christoph , Frey Holger
Published: September 2010

Functional polymers possess tremendous potential both in academia and in industry. In particular, oxiranes offer manifold possibilities for the introduction of single hydroxyl or multiple orthogonal functionalities in carbanionic polymerization. Here, we present a brief overview of the fascinating possibilities arising from the employment of common as well as individually designed epoxide derivatives for the synthesis of end‐functional polymers. Continuous flow techniques can be utilized for the rapid generation and screening of precisely defined hydroxyl‐modified polymers. The utilization of functionalized polymers as precursors for the formation of complex macromolecular architectures (e.g., miktoarm star polymers) is summarized and potential applications as well as future perspectives are discussed.

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Acoustic propagation in a random saturated medium: The monophasic case
Authors: Gilbert Robert P. , Panchenko Alexander , Vasilic Ana
Published: September 2010

We study the problem of derivation of an effective model of acoustic wave propagation in a two‐phase, non‐periodic medium modeling a fine mixture of linear elastic solid and a viscous Newtonian fluid. Bone tissue is an important example of a composite material that can be modeled in this fashion. We extend known homogenization results for periodic geometries to the case of a stationary random, scale‐separated microstructure. The ratio ε of the macroscopic length scale and a typical size of the microstructural inhomogeneity is a small parameter of the problem. We employ stochastic two‐scale convergence in the mean to pass to the limit ε→0 in the governing equations. The effective model is a single‐phase viscoelastic material with long‐time history dependence. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The actions of in ovo cortisol on egg fertility, embryo development and the expression of growth‐related genes in rainbow trout embryos, and the growth performance of juveniles
Authors: Li Mao , Bureau Dominique P. , King W. Allan , Leatherland John F.
Published: September 2010

Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) oocytes were incubated for 3 hr in ovarian fluid alone (CC), or cortisol‐enriched ovarian fluid [100 or 1,000 ng ml−1 (CL and CH, respectively)], after which they were fertilized; the growth and development of the embryos reared from these oocytes was monitored until first feed, and the juveniles were monitored for 9 months. The hatching rates of the CH group were significantly reduced, but the overall survival as measured at 40‐week post‐fertilization was similar in the three treatment groups. In addition, significant apparently biphasic changes relative to the CC group were found in the expression of some key growth‐related genes in the CL and CH treatment groups, particularly IGF‐1, IGF‐2, GH1, GH2, GH receptors, and thyroid hormone receptors (TRα and TRβ). Moreover, the juveniles of the CL (but not the CH treatment group) exhibited enhanced growth; the enhanced growth could not be explained on the basis of increased feed conversion efficiency or changes in serum GH levels at the juvenile stage. Additionally, relative growth rates from the three treatment groups were similar, suggesting that the biphasic growth‐enhancing effects of cortisol occurred very early in embryogenesis. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 77:922–931, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Molecular structures and physical properties of heat‐drawn conjugate fibers
Authors: Oh Tae Hwan , Han Sung Soo , Lyoo Won Seok , Jeon Han‐Yong
Published: September 2010

As‐spun poly(trimethylene terephthalate) (PTT)/poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) side‐by‐side conjugate fibers were drawn to investigate the effects of drawing conditions on structure development and physical properties. Effects of draw ratio and heat‐set temperature were observed. In the state of an as‐spun fiber, the molecular orientation of PTT was higher than PET, whereas PET molecular orientation increased remarkably over PTT with increasing draw ratio. Crimp contraction increased sharply at a draw ratio over 2.0, where the crystalline structure of the PET developed sufficiently. A heat‐set temperature of at least 140°C was required to develop sufficient crimp contraction. The crystallinity and orientation of the PET were attributed mainly to the crimp contraction of the drawn fiber. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2011. © 2010 Society of Plastics Engineers
Effects of nanoclay and coupling agent on the physico‐mechanical, morphological, and thermal properties of wood flour/polypropylene composites
Authors: Tabari Hasan Ziaei , Nourbakhsh Amir , Ashori Alireza
Published: September 2010

This article presents the effects of coupling agent and nanoclay (NC) on some properties of wood flour/polypropylene composites. The composites with different NC and maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (MAPP) contents were fabricated by melt compounding in a twin‐screw extruder and then by injection molding. The mass ratio of the wood flour to polymer was 40/60 (w/w). Results showed that applying MAPP on the surface of the wood flour can promote filler polymer interaction, which, in turn, would improve mechanical properties of the composite as well as its water uptake and thermal stability. Composite voids and the lumens of the fibers were filled with NC, which prevented the penetration of water by the capillary action into the deeper parts of composite. Therefore, the water absorption in composites fabricated using NC was significantly reduced. Scanning electron microscopy has shown that the treatment of composites with 5 wt% MAPP, promotes better fiber–matrix interaction, resulting in a few numbers of pull‐out traces. In all cases, the degradation temperatures shifted to higher values after using MAPP. The largest improvement on the thermal stability of composites was achieved when NC was added. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2011. © 2010 Society of Plastics Engineers
Improvement of mechanical properties of polycaprolactone scaffolds by applying piezoelectric vibration system based on a dispensing process: A new concept
Authors: Kang Dong‐Oan , Yoon Hyeon , Kim GeunHyung
Published: September 2010

The mechanical properties of biomedical scaffolds are important for applications in tissue regeneration. The dispensing system described herein, which is based on a solid free‐form fabrication technique, enables the production of design‐based scaffolds with controllable pore structures. Although current plotting systems can easily fabricate a variety of three‐dimensional scaffolds, the mechanical properties of these constructs are difficult to control because of low processing speed. To overcome this limitation, a new dispensing method, which uses a piezoelectric vibration system to improve mechanical properties, has been developed. Polycaprolactone (PCL) strands fabricated using this technique were roughly 70% stronger than normal PCL strands. To explain this increase in mechanical strength, the combined effects of the piezoelectric system and the melt‐dispensing process on the crystalline morphology and molecular orientation of PCL strands were investigated. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2011. © 2010 Society of Plastics Engineers
Synthesis of fluorinated polybenzoxazoles with low dielectric constants
Authors: Tao Liming , Yang Haixia , Liu Jingang , Fan Lin , Yang Shiyong
Published: September 2010

Two fluorinated aromatic bis(o‐aminophenol)s, 1,1‐bis(3′‐amino‐4′‐hydroxyphenyl)‐1‐(3′‐trifluoromethylphenyl)‐2,2,2‐trifluoroethane (6FAP) and 1,1‐bis(3′‐amino‐4′‐hydroxyphenyl)‐1‐(3′,5′‐ditrifluoromethylphenyl)‐2,2,2‐trifluoroethane (9FAP) were synthesized, which were allowed to polycondense with aromatic diacyl chlorides to afford the fluorinated aromatic polybenzoxazoles (PBOs) via a conventional two‐step procedure in which the low‐temperature solution polycondensation process was first performed to yield poly(o‐hydroxyamide)s (PHAs) followed by the thermal cyclodehydration to give the PBOs. Experimental results indicated that the PHAs had inherent viscosities in the range of 0.29–0.68 dL/g, showing excellent solubility in organic solvents. The PHAs could be thermally cyclodehydrated into the corresponding PBOs at 260–370 °C. The obtained PBOs exhibited enhanced glass‐transition temperature but decreased solubility with respect to the PHAs. The PBOs showed glass‐transition temperatures in the range of 315–337 °C and excellent thermal stabilities with 5% original weight‐loss temperatures (T5) of >513 °C. Additionally, the PBO films had average refractive index of 1.5298–1.5656, birefringence of 0.0051–0.0092, and low dielectric constants of 2.57–2.70. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2010
Red, green, and blue electrochromism in ambipolar poly(amine–amide–imide)s based on electroactive tetraphenyl‐p‐phenylenediamine units
Authors: Huang Li‐Ting , Yen Hung‐Ju , Chang Cha‐Wen , Liou Guey‐Sheng
Published: September 2010

A series of novel poly(amine–amide–imide)s (PAAIs) based on tetraphenyl‐p‐phenylenediamine (TPPA) units showing anodically/cathodically electrochromic characteristic with three primary colors [red, green, and blue (RGB)] were prepared from the direct polycondensation of the TPPA‐based diamine monomer with various aromatic bis(trimellitimide)s. These multicolored electrochromic polymers were readily soluble in polar organic solvents and showed excellent thermal stability associated with high glass‐transition temperatures (288–314 °C) and high‐char yield (higher than 60% at 800 °C in nitrogen). The PAAI films revealed electrochemical oxidation and reduction accompanied with high contrast of optical transmittance color changes from the pale yellow neutral state to the green/blue oxidized state and red reduced state, respectively. The electrochromic films had high‐coloration efficiency (CE = 178 and 242 cm2/C at the first and the second stages, respectively), low‐switching time, and good redox stability, which still retained a high electroactivity after long‐term redox cycles. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2010
Anionic polymerization of cyclic ester and amide in miniemulsion: Synthesis and characterization of poly(ε‐caprolactone) and poly(ε‐caprolactone‐co‐ε‐caprolactam) nanoparticles
Authors: Ruppert Marcel , Landfester Katharina , Ziener Ulrich
Published: September 2010

For the first time, poly(ε‐caprolactone) and poly(ε‐caprolactone‐co‐ε‐caprolactam) nanoparticles were successfully obtained by anionic polymerization of ε‐caprolactone and anionic copolymerization of ε‐caprolactone with ε‐caprolactam, respectively, in heterophase by the miniemulsion technique. After polymerization the resulting dispersions are stable for hours in case of the pure polyester and days for the copolymer. The syntheses were carried out with different continuous phases, amounts of surfactant, initiator, and monomers. The influence of the reaction parameters on the molecular weight of the polymers and on colloidal characteristics like size and morphology of the nanoparticles were studied by dynamic light scattering, gel permeation chromatography, differential scanning calorimetry, nuclear magnetic resonance, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2010
Synthesis of well‐defined polymer brushes on the surface of zinc antimonate nanoparticles through surface‐initiated atom transfer radical polymerization
Authors: Shanmugharaj A. M. , Choi Won Seok , Ryu Sung Hun
Published: September 2010

Zinc antimonate nanoparticles consisting of antimony and zinc oxide were surface modified in a methanol solvent medium using triethoxysilane‐based atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) initiating group (i.e.,) 6‐(2‐bromo‐2‐methyl) propionyloxy hexyl triethoxysilane. Successful grafting of ATRP initiator on the surface of nanoparticles was confirmed by thermogravimetric analysis that shows a significant weight loss at around 250–410 °C. Grafting of ATRP initiator onto the surface was further corroborated using Fourier transform Infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR) and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The surface‐initiated ATRP of methyl methacrylate (MMA) mediated by a copper complex was carried out with the initiator‐fixed zinc antimonate nanoparticles in the presence of a sacrificial (free) initiator. The polymerization was preceded in a living manner in all examined cases; producing nanoparticles coated with well defined poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) brushes with molecular weight in the range of 35–48K. Furthermore, PMMA‐grafted zinc antimonate nanoparticles were characterized using Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) that exhibit significant weight loss in the temperature range of 300–410 °C confirming the formation of polymer brushes on the surface with the graft density as high as 0.26–0.27 chains/nm2. The improvement in the dispersibility of PMMA‐grafted zinc antimonate nanoparticles was verified using ultraviolet‐visible spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2010
Influence on fluorescence properties of hyperbranched poly(amidoamine)s by nano golds
Authors: Jiang Guohua , Wang Yin , Sun Xinke
Published: September 2010

The influence of gold nanoparticles (GNPs) and gold nanodots (GNDs) on fluorescence properties of hyperbranched poly(amidoamine)s (HPAMAMs) which were synthesized by Michael addition of 1‐(2‐aminoethyl) piperazine (AEPZ) and methyl acrylate (MA) was investigated in this study. It was found that GNPs with definite surface plasma absorption can quench the fluorescence of HPAMAMs. With the increasing of the concentration of GNPs, the fluorescence intensity of HPAMAMs decreased correspondingly, and varied linearly at low concentration of GNPs. This phenomenon was owing to the fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) between the HPAMAMs and GNPs. In contrast, the complex with smaller GNDs encapsulated in the interior of the HPAMAMs presented greatly enhanced emission. Those results show that the size of nano golds may be used to adjust the fluorescence properties of HPAMAMs and may extend potential applications of HPAMAMs and GNPs. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys, 2010
Layer of clay platelets in a peptide matrix: Binding, encapsulation, and morphology
Authors: Pandey Ras B. , Heinz Hendrik , Farmer Barry L. , Drummy Lawrence F. , Jones Sharon E. , Vaia Richard A. , Naik Rajesh R.
Published: September 2010

Monte Carlo simulations are performed to study the binding of peptides (M1:1H2G3I4N5T6T7K8P9F10K11S12V) to a stack of mobile clay platelets and evaluate the morphological responses on a cubic lattice. A coarse‐grained description is used to model both platelets and peptides capturing the specificity of each residue. Mobility profiles of residues and their proximity to platelets (i.e., the local structural profile) suggest that the peptide binding is anchored by7Lys and10Lys. Correlation between the density profiles of platelets and peptides aided by the visual analysis shows that (i) the layered morphology is maintained due to peptide binding, (ii) the interstitial spacing between platelets, that is, the gallery width decreases on increasing the peptide concentration (consistent with recent experiments), (iii) relatively smaller amplitude of oscillations in peptide density profile around the inner clay galleries suggests that the peptides are more likely to bind at the layer boundaries and exterior surface of the platelets than intercalate. The radius of gyration (Rg) of the peptide shows nonmonotonic dependence on the peptide concentration (Cp). © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys, 2010