bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cinnamon extract inhibits angiogenesis in zebrafish and human endothelial cells by suppressing VEGFR1, VEGFR2, and PKC‐mediated MAP kinase
Authors: Bansode Rishipal R. , Leung TinChung , Randolph Priscilla , Williams Leonard L. , Ahmedna Mohamed 
Published: December 2012

AbstractAngiogenesis is a process of new blood vessel generation and under pathological conditions, lead to tumor development, progression, and metastasis. Many bioactive components have been studied for its antiangiogenic properties as a preventive strategy against tumor development. This study is focused on the effects of cinnamon extract in modulating the pathway involved in angiogenesis. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) were treated with cinnamon extract at a concentration of 25 μg/mL for 1, 3, or 6 h followed by treatment with phorbol ester (TPA) at a concentration of 10 nmol/L to induce mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) expression. Results show that cinnamon extract inhibited TPA‐induced phosphorylation of MAPK and AKT in a dose‐dependent manner. Gene expression results in HUVEC showed that cinnamon extract treatment inhibited TPA induction of protein kinase C, PKCα and PKCη messenger RNA (mRNA) expression in a dose‐dependent manner along with suppression of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1 (VEGFR1/Flt1) and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2/KDR/Flk1) mRNA expression. Cinnamon extract was administered to zebrafish embryos during gastrulation at 6–8 h post fertilization (hpf). The embryos were observed for changes in morphology, toxicity, and blood vessel development. The intersegmental vessels in the zebrafish embryos were attenuated and underdeveloped at an effective cinnamon extract dose of 250 μg/mL compared with the DMSO‐treated control. Exposure to cinnamon extract for 36 h resulted in gross morphological deformities. The results suggest the effect of cinnamon extract on angiogenesis is mediated by PKC‐dependent phosphorylation of MAPK.
The role of activation functions 1 and 2 of estrogen receptor-α for the effects of estradiol and selective estrogen receptor modulators in male mice
Authors: Börjesson Anna E , Farman Helen H , Engdahl Cecilia , Koskela Antti , Sjögren Klara , Kindblom Jenny M , Stubelius Alexandra , Islander Ulrika , Carlsten Hans , Antal Maria Cristina , Krust Andrée , Chambon Pierre , Tuukkanen Juha , Lagerquist Marie K , Windahl Sara H , Ohlsson Claes 
Published: December 2012

Abstract
Estradiol (E2) is important for male skeletal health and the effect of E2 is mediated via estrogen receptor (ER)-α. This was demonstrated by the findings that men with an inactivating mutation in aromatase or a nonfunctional ERα had osteopenia and continued longitudinal growth after sexual maturation. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the role of different domains of ERα for the effects of E2 and selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) on bone mass in males. Three mouse models lacking either ERαAF-1 (ERαAF-10), ERαAF-2 (ERαAF-20), or the total ERα (ERα−/−) were orchidectomized (orx) and treated with E2 or placebo. E2 treatment increased the trabecular and cortical bone mass and bone strength, whereas it reduced the thymus weight and bone marrow cellularity in orx wild type (WT) mice. These parameters did not respond to E2 treatment in orx ERα−/− or ERαAF-20 mirx ERαAF-10 mice were tissue-dependent, with a clear response in cortical bone parameters and bone marrow cellularity, but no response in trabecular bone. To determine the role of ERαAF-1 for the effects of SERMs, we treated orx WT and ERαAF-10 mice with raloxifene (Ral), lasofoxifene (Las), bazedoxifene (Bza), or vehicle. These SERMs increased total body areal bone mineral density (BMD) and trabecular volumetric BMD to a similar extent in orx WT mice. Furthermore, only Las increased cortical thickness significantly and only Bza increased bone strength significantly. However, all SERMs showed a tendency toward increased cortical bone parameters. Importantly, all SERM effects were absent in the orx ERαAF-10 mice. In conclusion, ERαAF-2 is required for the estrogenic effects on all evaluated parameters, whereas the role of ERαAF-1 is tissue-specific. All evaluated effects of Ral, Las and Bza are dependent on a functional ERαAF-1. Our findings might contribute to the development of bone-specific SERMs in males. © 2013 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Direct Determination of Arsenic in Beet Sugar Molasses Using Nickel as Chemical Modifier by Electrothermal Atomic Absorption Spectrommetry
Authors: Pourhossein Alireza , Shahlaei Mohsen 
Published: December 2012

AbstractA simple electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometric (ETAAS) method is described for direct determination of arsenic in sugar beet molasses samples. Pyrolytic graphite tubes were used as atomizers. The compression between modifiers such as nickel nitrate, palladium nitrate and the mixture of palladium and magnesium nitrate were performed and nickel nitrate selected as the best chemical modifier. The effects of pyrolysis and atomization temperature were also studied and the pyrolysis temperature of 900 °C and atomization temperature of 2300 °C have been chosen for temperature program. The detection limit of the method was 1 ng/mL As in sugar beet molasses samples. The relative standard deviation for ten determination of a spiked sample with concentration of 50 ng/mL As was 2.4%. The accuracy of the method was confirmed by the analysis of spiked samples. The linear rang of calibration is in the range of 1‐100 ng/mL of arsenic.
Ionic liquids and deep eutectic solvents for biodiesel synthesis: a review
Authors: Zhao Hua , Baker Gary A. 
Published: December 2012

AbstractDuring the past decade, ionic liquids (ILs) have gained tremendous attention in nearly every branch of the chemical and physical sciences as designer (task‐driven) and budding ‘green’ solvent alternatives to conventional volatile organics. In particular, with a more in‐depth understanding of their physicochemical properties, the active exploration of ILs as alternative solvents and/or catalysts in the chemical or enzymatic (biocatalytic) production of biodiesel has gained momentum. Most excitingly, very recent developments in the science of deep eutectic solvents (DESs) have initiated potentially more cost‐effective approaches to biodiesel synthesis. At this stage, there is sufficient research completed to provide an important opportunity to stand back and assess the progress in the field, critically examining the strengths and limitations for IL and DES technology in biodiesel synthesis. No such comprehensive evaluation exists. This work, therefore, seeks to bridge this gap by systematically reviewing the reported methods for biodiesel production which make use of ILs, either as (co)solvent components or catalysts, highlighting existing problems and limitations, with an emphasis placed on the future research required to bypass the hurdles to employing ILs in commercial biodiesel production. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Synthesis and characterization of TiO2 nanotube photoanode and its application in photoelectrocatalytic degradation of model environmental pharmaceuticals
Authors: Nie Xin , Chen Jiangyao , Li Guiying , Shi Huixian , Zhao Huijun , Wong Po‐Keung , An Taicheng 
Published: December 2012

AbstractBACKGROUNDIn this study, highly ordered titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanotube arrays with tunable inner‐diameter and morphology were synthesized by an anodizing method from titanium (Ti) foil by optimizing different preparation parameters, and acyclovir was degraded to test the photoelectrocatalytic activity of prepared nanotubes in a thin layer reactor.RESULTSThe results indicated that anodization time, the concentrations of NH4F and HAc had significant effect on the surface morphology and inner‐diameter of TiO2 nanotubes. Various morphologies including honeycomb films and nanotube arrays were obtained under given conditions. Photoelectrocatalysis showed higher degradation efficiency than that of photocatalysis or electrolysis due to TiO2 nanotubes regular nanotubular effectively reducing the recombination of photo‐generated electron–hole pairs. The photoelectrochemical responses and degradation efficiencies of acyclovir were well related to the TiO2 crystallinity and morphology of TiO2 nanotube photoanodes. Regular nanotube array photoanodes displayed better crystallinity, higher photoelectrochemical response and higher photoelectrocatalytic activity than those of nanopore photoanodes. The best TiO2 nanotube photoanode was prepared at 30 V for 24 h in the ethylene glycol solution containing 0.20 mol L−1 NH4F and 0.50 mol L−1 HAc.CONCLUSIONTiO2 nanotube photoelectrocatalysis technology is an effective way to decontaminate organic contaminants in water. © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Assessment of hydrogen isotopic compositions of n‐fatty acids as paleoclimate proxies in Lake Biwa sediments
Authors: Seki Osamu , Kawamura Kimitaka , Ishiwatari Ryoshi 
Published: December 2012

AbstractCompound specific hydrogen isotopic compositions (δD) of free and bound forms of n‐fatty acids (FA) were measured throughout a 200 m sediment core taken from Lake Biwa to assess application of biomarker δD values to paleoclimate study in this central Japan lake. The results of our study suggest that the sources of the C16 n‐FA in the two forms are different, whereas both free and bound C28 n‐FA originate from terrestrial plants. The δD of combined (free plus bound) C28 n‐FA in the 200 m sediment core shows a large variability, with relatively low and high values during the glacial and interglacial periods, respectively. Based on comparison of our record with other marine and lacustrine paleoclimate data, we found that the sedimentary record of C28 n‐FA δD likely reflects the temperature‐induced change in δD of summer precipitation. This finding suggests that δD values of C28 n‐FA could be used as a proxy for summer paleotemperatures in the sediments of Lake Biwa and other lakes. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Equisetumarvense hydro‐alcoholic extract: phenolic composition and antifungal and antimycotoxigenic effect against Aspergillusflavus and Fusariumverticillioides in stored maize
Authors: Garcia Daiana , Ramos Antonio J. , Sanchis Vicente , Marín Sonia 
Published: December 2012

AbstractBackgroundMaize is a very important cereal for human and animal diet, but it can be contaminated by moulds and their mycotoxins. On the other hand, natural plant products with antimicrobial properties could possibly used to control mycotoxigenic fungi in foods and feeds. In this study, Equisetum arvense extract was tested for the efficacy on Aspergillus section Flavi and Fusarium section Liseola growth. Natural contaminated maize was used in this study and extract was added under different water activities (aw) – 0.90 and 0.95 – for Aspergillus section Flavi and Fusarium section Liseola, respectively. Moulds were inoculated in maize and incubated during 30 days.ResultsWe confirm that E. arvense extract may be effective for the inhibition of Aspergillus section Flavi in maize with high levels of this mould. Moreover, this extract showed a good inhibition of growth on Fusarium section Liseola levels. Aflatoxin and fumonisin production was not affected by the extract.ConclusionsE. arvense extract could be an alternative to synthetic fungicides to control maize mycobiota level in moist grain. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry
Pancreatic lipase–colipase binds strongly to the thylakoid membrane surface
Authors: Emek Sinan Cem , Åkerlund Hans‐Erik , Erlanson‐Albertsson Charlotte , Albertsson Per‐Åke 
Published: December 2012

AbstractBackgroundIsolated thylakoid membranes, i.e. the photosynthetic membranes of green leaves, inhibit the activity of pancreatic lipase and colipase during hydrolysis of fat in vitro. This inhibition has been demonstrated to cause reduced food intake and improved hormonal and lipid profile in vivo. One of the reasons suggested for the inhibiting effect is binding of lipase–colipase to the thylakoid membrane surface. This prompted a study of the binding of lipase and colipase to thylakoids.ResultsThe results showed that lipase and colipase strongly bind to the thylakoid membrane surface. The dissociation constant was determined at 1.2 × 10−8 mol L−1; binding decreased after treatment of thylakoids with pepsin/trypsin to 1.0 × 10−7 and to 0.6 × 10−7 mol L−1 after treatment with pancreatic juice. Similarly, delipidation of thylakoids caused a decrease in binding, the dissociation constant being 2.0 × 10−7 mol L−1.ConclusionThe binding of pancreatic lipase–colipase to the thylakoid membrane is strong and may explain the inhibition of lipase–colipase activity by thylakoids. After treatment with proteases to mimic intestinal digestion binding is decreased, but is still high enough to explain the observed metabolic effects of thylakoids in vivo. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry
Dietary adjustability of grizzly bears and American black bears in Yellowstone National Park
Authors: Fortin Jennifer K. , Schwartz Charles C. , Gunther Kerry A. , Teisberg Justin E. , Haroldson Mark A. , Evans Marc A. , Robbins Charles T. 
Published: December 2012

AbstractGrizzly bears (Ursus arctos) and American black bears (U. americanus) are sympatric in much of Yellowstone National Park. Three primary bear foods, cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarki), whitebark pine (Pinus albicaulis) nuts, and elk (Cervus elaphus), have declined in recent years. Because park managers and the public are concerned about the impact created by reductions in these foods, we quantified bear diets to determine how bears living near Yellowstone Lake are adjusting. We estimated diets using: 1) stable isotope and mercury analyses of hair samples collected from captured bears and from hair collection sites established along cutthroat trout spawning streams and 2) visits to recent locations occupied by bears wearing Global Positioning System collars to identify signs of feeding behavior and to collect scats for macroscopic identification of residues. Approximately 45 ± 22% (${\bar {x}}$ ± SD) of the assimilated nitrogen consumed by male grizzly bears, 38 ± 20% by female grizzly bears, and 23 ± 7% by male and female black bears came from animal matter. These assimilated dietary proportions for female grizzly bears were the same as 10 years earlier in the Lake area and 30 years earlier in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. However, the proportion of meat in the assimilated diet of male grizzly bears decreased over both time frames. The estimated biomass of cutthroat trout consumed by grizzly bears and black bears declined 70% and 95%, respectively, in the decade between 1997–2000 and 2007–2009. Grizzly bears killed an elk calf every 4.3 ± 2.7 days and black bears every 8.0 ± 4.0 days during June. Elk accounted for 84% of all ungulates consumed by both bear species. Whitebark pine nuts continue to be a primary food source for both grizzly bears and black bears when abundant, but are replaced by false‐truffles (Rhizopogon spp.) in the diets of female grizzly bears and black bears when nut crops are minimal. Thus, both grizzly bears and black bears continue to adjust to changing resources, with larger grizzly bears continuing to occupy a more carnivorous niche than the smaller, more herbivorous black bear. © 2012 The Wildlife Society.
Robust and Adhesive Hydrogels from Cross‐Linked Poly(ethylene glycol) and Silicate for Biomedical Use
Authors: Wu Chia‐Jung , Wilker Jonathan J. , Schmidt Gudrun 
Published: December 2012

AbstractA systematic approach to develop robust and adhesive hydrogels by photopolymerizing poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)‐diacrylate and methoxy‐PEG‐acrylate in the presence of charged silicate nanoparticles (Laponite) is presented. PEG‐diacrylate and silicate are used for covalent and physical cross‐linking, thus providing the hydrogel with mechanical and adhesive strengths. Methoxy‐PEG‐acrylate is used as a softening agent. The resulting hydrogels can be extensively elongated and the hydrogels readily adhere to tissue even in the elongated state. These hydrogels may aid the development of adhesive tissue engineering matrixes, wound dressings, sealants, and the adhesive components of biomedical devices. magnified image
Utility of respiratory‐navigator‐rejected k‐space lines for improved signal‐to‐noise ratio in three‐dimensional cardiac MR
Authors: Akçakaya Mehmet , Shaw Jaime L. , Hauser Thomas H. , Nezafat Reza 
Published: December 2012

PurposeTo develop and evaluate a technique that uses the k‐space lines rejected by prospective respiratory navigator (NAV) to improve the signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) without increasing the scan time.MethodsIn conventional image reconstruction, the motion‐corrupted k‐space lines rejected by the NAV are not used. In this study, a set of translational motion parameters for the NAV‐rejected lines and a phase‐corrected average for the k‐space line are estimated jointly using a maximum‐likelihood approach and the information from the corresponding accepted k‐space lines. Left coronary artery images were acquired in 10 healthy adult subjects, and the proposed approach incorporating the NAV‐rejected lines was compared with the conventional dataset with NAV‐accepted lines only, as well as a simple average of all k‐space lines, in terms of SNR, normalized vessel sharpness and qualitative image scores on a four‐point scale (1 = poor, 4 = excellent). Late gadolinium enhancement images of the left atrium were also acquired in 21 patients with atrial fibrillation pre‐ or post‐pulmonary vein isolation. Images reconstructed with the proposed, conventional, and simple averaging methods were compared in terms of SNR, and subjective image quality on a four‐point scale.ResultsFor coronary MRI, there was a significant improvement in SNR with the proposed technique, but no significant difference in normalized vessel sharpness or qualitative image scores were observed with respect to the conventional method. Simple averaging resulted in an SNR gain, but significant loss in vessel sharpness and image quality. For late gadolinium enhancement, there was a significant increase in SNR, but no significant differences were observed in subjective image quality scores between the proposed and conventional methods. There was an SNR gain, but image quality loss for simple averaging, when compared with the conventional technique. In both coronary MRI and late gadolinium enhancement, the SNR gain of the proposed method was not significantly different than the maximum theoretical SNR gain.ConclusionThe proposed technique improves SNR using the additional information from NAV‐rejected k‐space lines, while providing similar image quality to standard reconstruction using motion‐free k‐space data only, with no increase in scan time. Magn Reson Med 70:1332–1339, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Voxel spread function method for correction of magnetic field inhomogeneity effects in quantitative gradient‐echo‐based MRI
Authors: Yablonskiy Dmitriy A. , Sukstanskii Alexander L. , Luo Jie , Wang Xiaoqi 
Published: December 2012

PurposeMacroscopic magnetic field inhomogeneities adversely affect different aspects of MRI images. In quantitative MRI when the goal is to quantify biological tissue parameters, they bias and often corrupt such measurements. The goal of this article is to develop a method for correction of macroscopic field inhomogeneities that can be applied to a variety of quantitative gradient‐echo‐based MRI techniques.MethodsWe have reanalyzed a basic theory of gradient echo MRI signal formation in the presence of background field inhomogeneities and derived equations that allow for correction of magnetic field inhomogeneity effects based on the phase and magnitude of gradient echo data. We verified our theory by mapping effective transverse relaxation rate in computer simulated, phantom, and in vivo human data collected with multigradient echo sequences.ResultsThe proposed technique takes into account voxel spread function effects and allowed obtaining virtually free from artifacts effective transverse relaxation rate maps for all simulated, phantom and in vivo data except of the edge areas with very steep field gradients.ConclusionThe voxel spread function method, allowing quantification of tissue specific effective transverse relaxation rate‐related tissue properties, has a potential to breed new MRI biomarkers serving as surrogates for tissue biological properties similar to longitudinal and transverse relaxation rate constants widely used in clinical and research MRI. Magn Reson Med 70:1283–1292, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Holographic recording characteristics and physical mechanism of zinc methacrylate/nitroaniline‐co‐doped poly(methyl methacrylate)/9,10‐phenanthrenequinone photopolymers
Authors: Ko Cheng‐Jung , Chen Po‐Lin , Hsiao Yi‐Nan , Lin Shiuan‐Huei , Whang Wha‐Tzong , Hsu Ken Y. , Huang Kuo‐Jung , Chen Chun‐Chao , Tseng I‐Hsiang , Tsai Mei‐Hui 
Published: December 2012

AbstractIn this study we developed an approach to improve the characteristics of photopolymers for holographic data storage. Through codoping different compounds, N,N‐dimethyl‐4‐nitroaniline (DMNA) and zinc methylacrylate (Zn(MA)2), into 9,10‐phenanthrenequinone (PQ) doped poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), the diffraction efficiency and the value of dynamic range (M#) have been progressed. We enhanced the diffraction efficiency (from 36.1 to 86.2%) and the dynamic range (M#, from 2.9 to 10.7) of PQ‐doped PMMA through codoping with DMNA and Zn(MA)2. Using mass spectrometry and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, we investigated the mechanism behind the improvements in optical storage induced by the presence of Zn(MA)2 and DMNA in PMMA/PQ. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2013. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers
A New Method to Determine the Upper Boundary Condition for a Permafrost Thermal Model: An Example from the Qinghai‐Tibet Plateau
Authors: Zhang Mingyi , Min Ki‐Hong , Wu Qingbai , Zhang Jianming , Harbor Jon 
Published: December 2012

ABSTRACTAssessing possible permafrost degradation related to engineering projects, climate change and land use change is of critical importance for protecting the environment and in developing sustainable designs for vital infrastructure in cold regions. A major challenge in modelling the future degradation of permafrost is finding ways to constrain changes in the upper thermal boundary condition over time and space at appropriate scales. Here, we report on an approach designed to predict time series of air, ground surface and shallow ground temperatures at a spatial scale on the order of 102 m2 for engineering design of a railway or highway project. The approach uses a regional‐scale atmospheric model to downscale global climate model output, and then stepwise multiple regression to develop an equation that provides a best‐fit prediction of site‐specific observational data using bilinearly interpolated output from the atmospheric model. This approach bridges the scale difference between atmospheric climate models and permafrost thermal models, and allows for a wider range of factors to be used in predicting the thermal boundary condition. For a research site located in Beiluhe, China, close to the Qinghai‐Tibet Railway, a comparison of model predictions with observational data not used in the construction of the model shows that this method can be used with a high degree of accuracy to determine the upper boundary condition for a permafrost thermal model. Once a model is constructed, it can be used to predict future changes in boundary condition parameters under different greenhouse emission scenarios for climate change. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.