bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Electromobility – challenges for structural durability
Authors: Martin D. , Hiebl A. , Krueger L. 
Published: October 2011

AbstractIn this lecture the challenges of testing the structural durability of electric vehicles are highlighted. The requirements and in particular differences in those for electric vehicles and cars with internal‐combustion engines are compared and illustrated. Current experiences with the MINI E and actual BMW hybrid cars are shown. Furthermore, testing concepts for specific electromobility components and their structural integration into the vehicle are explained. Finally an insight into possible future hybrid cars is presented.
Plant flavone apigenin inhibits HDAC and remodels chromatin to induce growth arrest and apoptosis in human prostate cancer cells: In vitro and in vivo study
Authors: Pandey Mitali , Kaur Parminder , Shukla Sanjeev , Abbas Ata , Fu Pingfu , Gupta Sanjay 
Published: October 2011

AbstractApigenin (4′,5,7,‐trihydroxyflavone), an anticancer agent, selectively toxic to cancer cells induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis through mechanisms that have not been fully elucidated. Our studies indicate that apigenin‐mediated growth inhibitory responses are due to inhibition of class I histone deacetylases (HDACs) in prostate cancer cells. Treatment of PC‐3 and 22Rv1 cells with apigenin (20–40 µM) resulted in the inhibition of HDAC enzyme activity, specifically HDAC1 and HDAC3 at the protein and message level. Apigenin‐mediated HDAC inhibition resulted in global histone H3 and H4 acetylation, as well as localized hyperacetylation of histone H3 on the p21/waf1 promoter. A corresponding increase was observed in p21/waf1 and bax protein and mRNA expression after apigenin exposure, consistent with the use of HDAC inhibitor, trichostatin A. The downstream events demonstrated cell cycle arrest and induction of apoptosis in both cancer cells. Studies of PC‐3 xenografts in athymic nude mice further demonstrated that oral intake of apigenin at doses of 20 and 50 µg/mouse/d over an 8‐wk period resulted in a marked reduction in tumor growth, HDAC activity, and HDAC1 and HDAC3 protein expression at both doses of apigenin. An increase in p21/waf1 expression was observed in apigenin‐fed mice, compared to the control group. Furthermore, apigenin intake caused a significant decrease in bcl2 expression with concomitant increase in bax, shifting the bax/bcl2 ratio in favor of apoptosis. Our findings confirm for the first time that apigenin inhibits class I HDACs, particularly HDAC1 and HDAC3 and its exposure results in reversal of aberrant epigenetic events that promote malignancy. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Assessment of three epigenotypes in colorectal cancer by combined bisulfite restriction analysis
Authors: Karpinski Pawel , Szmida Elzbieta , Misiak Blazej , Ramsey David , Leszczynski Przemyslaw , Bebenek Marek , Sedziak Tomasz , Grzebieniak Zygmunt , Jonkisz Anna , Lebioda Arleta , Sasiadek Maria M. 
Published: October 2011

AbstractRecent investigations have demonstrated the clear heterogeneity of sporadic colorectal cancer (CRC) with regard to CpG island methylation. Two unsupervised cluster analyses revealed that CRCs form three distinct DNA methylation subsets, which are referred to as the high‐, intermediate‐, and low‐methylation epigenotypes (HME, IME, and LME, respectively). A recent study by Yagi et al. found a fairly sensitive and specific identification of HME, IME, and LME using two marker panels analyzed by MALDI‐TOF mass spectrometry (MassARRAY). However, the expensive equipment required for this method substantially increases the cost and complexity of the assay. In this article, we demonstrate the assessment of HME, IME, and LME in a group of 233 sporadic CRCs using seven markers proposed by Yagi et al. The DNA methylation of each marker was quantified using combined bisulfite restriction analysis (COBRA) and analyzed along with various genetic factors associated with CRC [the BRAF and KRAS mutations, MLH1 methylation and microsatellite instability (MSI)]. The baseline methylation of each marker was generated from pooled DNA isolated from 50 normal colon tissues. We demonstrate that the correlation of HME, IME, and LME epigenotyped by COBRA using different molecular classifiers is similar to that achieved by MassARRAY. Therefore, epigenotyping CRCs using COBRA is a simple, specific, and cost‐effective method that has the potential to be widely used in CRC research. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Spectroscopic imaging using concentrically circular echo‐planar trajectories in vivo
Authors: Furuyama Jon K. , Wilson Neil E. , Thomas M. Albert 
Published: October 2011

AbstractAn alternative to the standard echo‐planar spectroscopic imaging technique is presented, spectroscopic imaging using concentrically circular echo‐planar trajectories (SI‐CONCEPT). In contrast to the conventional chemical shift imaging data, the sampled data from each set of concentric rings were regridded into Cartesian space. Usage of concentric k‐space trajectories has the advantage of requiring significantly reduced slew rates than echo‐planar spectroscopic imaging, allowing for the collection of higher spectral bandwidths and opening the door for high‐bandwidth echo‐planar styled spectroscopic imaging at higher magnetic fields. Before two‐dimensional spatial and one‐dimensional spectral encoding, the volume of interest was localized using the standard point‐resolved spectroscopy sequence. The feasibility of using concentric k‐space trajectories is demonstrated, and the spatial profiles and representative spectra are compared with the standard echo‐planar spectroscopic imaging technique in a gray matter phantom containing metabolites at physiological concentrations and healthy human brain in vivo. The symmetric nature of the concentric circles also reduces the number of required excitations for a given resolution by a factor of two. Possible artifacts and limitations are discussed. Magn Reson Med, 2011. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Passive trunk loading influences muscle activation during dynamic activity
Authors: Olson Michael W. 
Published: October 2011

AbstractIntroduction: Repetitive loading of the low back tissues induces tension relaxation with a corresponding variation in the myoelectric response of the neuromuscular system, which may influence low back health. The purpose of this study was to observe trunk muscle activities before and after a passive cyclic trunk flexion–extension exercise. Methods: Nineteen participants were subjected to sagittal plane loading of the low back tissues. These individuals performed toe‐touching before and over 1 hour after load termination. Results: Lumbar paraspinal activity cessation occurred significantly sooner over time during lumbar and pelvic flexion post‐loading, as compared with pre‐loading. Lumbar paraspinal activity then re‐initiated later in lumbar extension. There was no change in peak or average muscle activity during the procedures. Conclusions: It is apparent that passive loading of the viscoelastic lumbar tissues results in a prolonged neuromuscular adaptation, followed by possible neuromuscular compensation sustained within 1 hour of load termination. Muscle Nerve, 2011
Tibial motor nerve conduction studies: An investigation into the mechanism for amplitude drop of the proximal evoked response
Authors: Barkhaus Paul E. , Kincaid John C. , Nandedkar Sanjeev D. 
Published: October 2011

AbstractIntroduction:The amplitude of the compound muscle action potential (CMAP) of abductor hallucis (AH) shows the largest drop with proximal stimulation of any routinely studied motor nerves. The cause has not been established.Methods:Four experiments of tibial motor nerve conduction in several healthy control subjects were performed using far‐field recordings, collision, H‐reflex, and intramuscular recordings of foot muscles.Results:The proximal CMAP showed a mean peak–peak amplitude of 66% (range 57–79%) compared with the distal response. Collision and H‐reflex recordings in AH did not show evidence of a contribution from the tibial‐innervated calf muscle. Needle electrode recordings of CMAPs showed consistently different latencies between different foot muscles. Conclusion: Our experiments indicate that temporal dispersion and phase cancellation between the distal tibial‐innervated foot muscles recorded by the E2 (i.e., reference) electrode can explain the drop in amplitude between the proximal and distal tibial evoked CMAP. Muscle Nerve, 2011
Frontal plane hip and ankle sensorimotor function, not age, predicts unipedal stance time
Authors: Allet Lara , Kim Hogene , Ashton‐Miller James , De Mott Trina , Richardson James K. 
Published: October 2011

AbstractIntroduction: Changes occur in muscles and nerves with aging. In this study we explore the relationship between unipedal stance time (UST) and frontal plane hip and ankle sensorimotor function in subjects with diabetic neuropathy. Methods: UST, quantitative measures of frontal plane ankle proprioceptive thresholds, and ankle and hip motor function were tested in 41 subjects with a spectrum of lower limb sensorimotor function ranging from healthy to moderately severe diabetic neuropathy. Results: Frontal plane hip and ankle sensorimotor function demonstrated significant relationships with UST. Multivariate analysis identified only composite hip strength, ankle proprioceptive threshold, and age to be significant predictors of UST (R2 = 0.73), explaining 46%, 24%, and 3% of the variance, respectively. Conclusions: Frontal plane hip strength was the single best predictor of UST and appeared to compensate for less precise ankle proprioceptive thresholds. This finding is clinically relevant given the possibility of strengthening the hip, even in patients with significant peripheral neuropathy. Muscle Nerve, 2012
Estimated cost of treating myasthenia gravis in an insured U.S. population
Authors: Guptill Jeffery T. , Sharma Bal K. , Marano Alex , Soucy Alison , Krueger Andrew , Sanders Donald B. 
Published: October 2011

AbstractIntroduction: In this study we estimated the costs paid by U.S. health plans for treating myasthenia gravis (MG) in 2009 and determined the major cost drivers. Methods: One hundred thirteen MG patients were matched by propensity scores with 339 non‐MG patients from a comprehensive health‐care insurance database. The mean annual costs paid by the health plan for treating MG, costs by place of service, and costs for intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) and plasma exchange were determined. Results: Mean annual costs paid by the health plan per MG patient were $20,190 (SEM $4,763) and costs attributable to treating MG were $15,675. Home health services accounted for 23% of MG patient costs and represented almost exclusively IVIg infusion costs. Six MG patients had a total of 136 outpatient IVIg infusions at an average annual cost of $109,463 ± $57,303. Conclusions: The estimated annual health plan paid costs for treating MG were $15,675. Home health services represented 23% of MG patient costs, largely driven by IVIg administration. Muscle Nerve, 2012
Transformation of complex internal structures of poly(ethylene oxide)/chitosan oligosaccharide electrospun nanofibers
Authors: Zhang Jianfeng , Nie Jun 
Published: October 2011

AbstractElectrospun nanofibers with a core–shell structure or an internal microphase‐separated structure were obtained from a homogeneous solution using a conventional single‐nozzle electrospinning setup. Because of the poor miscibility of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) and chitosan oligosaccharide (CS), the two polymers will separate into a core–shell structure (PEO as core, CS as shell) or an internal microphase‐separated structure (PEO as discrete phase, CS as continuous phase) depending on the fraction of each component in the solution. Moreover, the core–shell structure transforms to the internal microphase‐separated structure with a continuous decrease of the PEO fraction. The reason for the transition of these internal structures can be attributed to the different phase separation mechanisms. For the core–shell structure, phase separation proceeds in a mechanism of nucleation and growth; however, the internal microphase‐separated structure results from spinodal decomposition. Therefore, wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry were employed to investigate PEO crystallization. Since both PEO and CS are biocompatible polymers, together with being able to control the fiber internal structure (core–shell or microphase separation), these electrospun nanofibers will have a great future in the biomedical field. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry
Shape memory segmented polyurethanes: dependence of behavior on nanocellulose addition and testing conditions
Authors: Auad María L , Richardson Tara , Hicks Marisa , Mosiewicki Mirna A , Aranguren Mirta I , Marcovich Norma E 
Published: October 2011

AbstractThe response of synthesized shape memory segmented polyurethanes (PUs) was affected by the addition of cellulose nanocrystals, as well as by the various conditions selected to carry out thermomechanical cyclic tests. The PUs were synthesized from an α‐hydro‐ω‐hydroxy‐poly(ethylene oxide), tolylene‐2,4‐diisocyanate and 1,4‐butanediol as chain extender. Nanocomposites were prepared by mixing a suspension of cellulose nanocrystals in N,N‐dimethylformamide with the thermoplastic PU dissolved in the same organic solvent. The thermal properties of the neat PU and resulting composites were examined using differential scanning calorimetry. It was found that cellulose addition increases the PU soft segment melting and crystallization temperatures and the degree of crystallinity of this phase. Shape memory behavior was studied using cyclic thermal tensile tests. Both neat PU and composites exhibit shape memory properties, with fixity and recovery values that depend on heating temperature, imposed deformation, deformation rate and nanofiller addition. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry
Synthesis and characterization of polyimide/polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane nanocomposites containing quinolyl moiety
Authors: Govindaraj Balasubramani , Sundararajan Pudupadi , Sarojadevi Muthusamy 
Published: October 2011

AbstractA series of functional polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS)/polyimide (PI) nanocomposites were prepared using a two‐step approach. First, octa(aminophenyl)silsesquioxane (OAPS) was mixed with poly(amic acid) (PAA) prepared by reacting bis(4‐amino‐3,5‐dimethylphenyl)‐3‐quinolylmethane and 3,3′,4,4′‐benzophenonetetracarboxylic dianhydride. Second, the resulting solution was subjected to thermal imidization. The well‐defined ‘hard particles’ (POSS) and the strong covalent bonds in the amide linkage between the carbon atom of the carboxyl side group in PAA and the nitrogen atom of the amino group in POSS lead to a significant improvement in the thermal and mechanical properties. Homogeneous dispersion of POSS cages in the PI is evident from scanning electron microscopy, which further confirms that the POSS molecule becomes an integral part of the organic‐inorganic inter‐crosslinked network system. Differential scanning calorimetry and dynamic mechanical analysis show that the glass transition temperatures of the POSS‐containing nanocomposites are higher than that of the corresponding neat PI system, owing to the significant increase of the crosslinking density in the PI/POSS nanocomposites. Increasing the concentration of OAPS in the PI networks decreases the dielectric constant. Pure PI and PI/POSS systems have good antimicrobial activity. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry
Preventing and troubleshooting artefacts in saturation labelled fluorescence 2‐D difference gel electrophoresis (saturation DiGE)
Authors: McNamara Laura E. , Kantawong Fahsai A. , Dalby Matthew J. , Riehle Mathis O. , Burchmore Richard 
Published: October 2011

AbstractSaturation DiGE is a powerful but challenging technique for the characterisation of changes in protein expression between two or more scarce samples. In this paper, measures to prevent and troubleshoot artefacts in the saturation DiGE workflow are discussed, with illustration of some examples as they may be encountered in gel images or analysis.
Optimization of cell lysis and protein digestion protocols for the analysis of HeLa S3 cells by LC‐MS/MS
Authors: Winter Dominic , Steen Hanno 
Published: October 2011

AbstractIn order to maximize the number of proteins identified from Hela S3 cell lysate we tested various cell lysis, protein precipitation and digestion protocols. First, we compared three different lysis buffers, two mechanical cell disruption methods and two precipitation methods. Then, we tested six different in‐solution digestion protocols, three different in‐gel digestion protocols and ten different peptide extraction protocols. The result is a proposal for an optimized protocol to prepare the whole cell lysate samples from HeLa S3 cells.
Identification of differentially expressed proteins in soybean nodules under phosphorus deficiency through proteomic analysis
Authors: Chen Zhijian , Cui Qiangqiang , Liang Cuiyue , Sun Lili , Tian Jiang , Liao Hong 
Published: October 2011

AbstractSymbiotic nitrogen fixation is a high‐phosphorus demand process. Proteomic analysis was performed to identify the differentially expressed proteins in soybean nodules under phosphate starvation, and qRT‐PCR was subsequently conducted to examine the expression patterns of the genes encoding the identified proteins. There were 44 phosphate‐starvation responsive proteins identified from soybean nodules. Among them, 14 plant and 3 rhizobial proteins were up‐regulated, whereas 13 plant and 14 rhizobial proteins were down‐regulated by phosphate starvation. The qRT‐PCR assays verified that gene expression correlated with 11 of the 14 up‐regulated proteins from plants, but only 4 of 13 down‐regulated proteins were correlated to the expression of the corresponding genes, suggesting that most up‐regulated proteins may be controlled at the transcriptional level, whereas down‐regulated proteins were controlled at the post‐transcriptional level. Furthermore, a group of genes exhibited differential responses to phosphate starvation in nodules versus roots, suggesting that different adaptive responses might occur between roots and nodules. To our best knowledge, this is the first study to reveal differential protein profiles of nodules responding to phosphate starvation through proteomic analysis, which could result in a relatively comprehensive understanding of molecular mechanisms through which soybean nodules adapt to phosphorus stress.
Synthesis and optoelectronic properties of novel organosoluble polynorbornenes containing asymmetric pyrenyl and electroactive substituents via ring‐opening metathesis polymerization
Authors: Lian Wei‐Ren , Ho Crystal , Huang Ying‐Chi , Liao Yi‐An , Wang Kun‐Li , Liaw Der‐Jang , Lee Kueir‐Rarn , Lai Juin‐Yih 
Published: October 2011

AbstractNovel polynorbornenes, poly(NBPYTPA), and poly(HNBPYTPA), containing chromophoric and electroactive groups were synthesized by ring‐opening metathesis polymerization using Grubbs' catalysts and followed hydrogenation, respectively. The glass transition temperatures (Tg) of poly(NBPYTPA) and hydrogenated poly(HNBPYTPA) were 195 and 165 °C, respectively. The 10% weight‐loss temperatures of hydrogenated poly(HNBPYTPA) and poly(NBPYTPA) were up to 465 and 420 °C, respectively. The photoluminescence emission spectra of poly(HNBPYTPA) showed strong solvatochromic property, revealing that poly(HNBPYTPA) underwent remarkable bathochromic shifts with an increase in solvent polarity. The cyclic voltammogram of poly(HNBPYTPA) film cast onto an indium tin oxide (ITO)‐coated glass substrate exhibited two reversible oxidation redox couples at 0.8 and 1.2 V versus Ag/Ag+ in acetonitrile solution. The electrochromic characteristics of poly(HNBPYTPA) showed reversibility, with color changes from yellow to blue and then to red upon the application of potentials from 0 to 1.3 V. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 000: 000–000, 2011
Chemical modification of poly(ethylene‐co‐methyl acrylate‐co‐maleic anhydride) for cathodic electrodepositions
Authors: Percec Simona , Howe Laurie , Li Jing , Bair Stephen 
Published: October 2011

AbstractThis study is concerned with the development of new polymers that could be deposited via cathodic electrocoating methods on metal surfaces. The synthetic strategy is based on the incorporation of cationic functionalities into commercial polymers. Polyalkyl acrylic or methacrylic ester copolymers were reacted with primary or secondary amines and aminoalkanols or their mixtures. Depending on the proportion of the acrylic or methacrylic ester in the starting material and the extent of the chemical modification, the resulting amide functionalized polymers are soluble or dispersible in water and could be used as aqueous dispersions for cathodic electrodepositions. Hindered amine catalysts, such as diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane, accelerate the chemical transformation leading to higher level of functionalization. Among different amines screened, mixtures of oleylamine and ethanolamine proved to produce the best results. A poly(ethylene‐co‐methyl acrylate‐co‐maleic anhydride) [poly(E‐co‐MA‐co‐MAH)] was aminolyzed in solution with a mixture of 50/50 (mol % ratio) of oleylamine/ethanolamine and used to generate aqueous dispersions via phase inversion from methyl isobutyl ketone solutions. These dispersions exhibit particle sizes in the submicron range and zeta potential values indicating a good stability. They could be electrodeposited to give films of high elasticity according to the nanomechanical tests. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012
Relevance of Surface Modification of Polyamide 6.6 Fibers by Air Plasma Treatment on the Release of Caffeine
Authors: Labay Cédric , Canal José Mª , Canal Cristina 
Published: October 2011

AbstractPolymer fabrics are used in different areas of pharmaceutical technology as sanitary materials or implants, which make them an interesting support for drug delivery. Low pressure plasma allows modifying the first nanometers on the surface of polymers without altering their bulk properties. The aim of the present work was to evaluate the use of plasma technology as an efficient tool to modify polyamide 6.6 fibers and its relevance on the incorporation and release of an active principle, in this case caffeine, from the materials. Therefore, surface modification of polyamide 6.6 (PA 66) fiber properties (wettability, chemical, and topographical properties) was evaluated under different plasma working conditions. It was shown that the thickness of a PDMS coating layer on the fibers was reduced as a function of plasma working conditions (increased air flow rate), and that surface functionalization of polyamide took place by oxygen‐containing moieties without any degradation or alteration in fiber topography. In vitro caffeine release showed that plasma gas flow increase improves significantly (up to 90% after 24 h) the delivery of active principle from the fabrics without altering the release mechanism from the PA 66 fabrics.magnified image
Control of Wettability of Plasma Polymers by Application of Ti Nano‐Clusters
Authors: Kylián Ondřej , Polonskyi Oleksandr , Kratochvíl Jiří , Artemenko Anna , Choukourov Andrei , Drábik Martin , Solař Pavel , Slavínská Danka , Biederman Hynek 
Published: October 2011

AbstractTwo‐step process that allows controlling independently roughness and chemical composition of plasma polymers, i.e., two parameters determining the wettability of such materials, is presented. In the first step a film composed of Ti nano‐clusters is deposited on a smooth substrate. Nano‐cluster films of different roughness can be obtained depending on deposition time. In the second step the nano‐cluster films are overlaid by a thin layer of plasma polymer having the desired chemical structure. This approach allows the tuning of wettability of the deposited films to as much as 50% of the wettability of the films having the same chemical structure but deposited on a smooth substrate.magnified image