bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Survey of long‐term follow‐up programs in the United States for survivors of childhood brain tumors
Authors: Bowers Daniel C. , Adhikari Soumya , El‐Khashab Yasmin M. , Gargan Lynn , Oeffinger Kevin C. 
Published: August 2009

AbstractIntroductionDespite recognition that childhood brain tumor survivors often suffer multiple late effects following therapy, little is known regarding the long‐term follow‐up (LTFU) programs for these patients.MethodsA 16‐question survey was mailed to member institutions of the Children's Oncology Group in the United States. Institutions were asked about the size of their brain tumor program, activities of the LTFU programs and perceived barriers to follow‐up.ResultsOne hundred forty‐five (74%) of 197 institutions returned surveys. Care for patients <21 years old at diagnosis who are >2 years following completion of therapy was provided at a designated neuro‐oncology LTFU clinic (31.2%), a general LTFU program for childhood cancer survivors (30.4%), or a general pediatric oncology program (29.7%). Institutions with a neuro‐oncology LTFU clinic were more likely to use neuro‐psychological testing following radiation therapy (P = 0.001), have longer duration of continued surveillance imaging (P = 0.02), use growth hormone replacement for medulloblastoma survivors (P < 0.001) and continue the use of growth hormone into adulthood (P = 0.05) than those with a general pediatric oncology program. Perceived barriers to care of brain tumor survivors included limited access and lack of insurance (32.1%), lack of funding or dedicated time for providers (22.9%), patients' uncertainty about need to follow‐up (20.6%), and patients' desire to not be followed in a pediatric cancer program (12.2%).ConclusionsConsiderable variation exists across institutions in the United States in the delivery of follow‐up care for survivors of childhood brain tumors. We encourage additional investigation to better define and implement optimal follow‐up care for childhood brain tumor survivors. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2009; 53:1295–1301. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Defects detection using a smart ultrasound pulse‐echo technique
Authors: Lee Wan Jae , Chang Wenji Victor , Yang Wei , Kim Byungsoo 
Published: August 2009

AbstractThe objective of this article is to demonstrate the practical usefulness of a simple but smart ultrasound pulse‐echo technique as a quality assurance tool to composite processors. The ultrasound pulse‐echo technique was applied to four composite slabs; two sheets for each type of fiberglass reinforced plastics, phenolic and polyester, manufactured under different processing conditions: one was made by the normal procedures and the other with deliberate flaws. The experiment was conducted under the double blind test protocol. After systematically analyzing the data and taking care of beam divergence effect, we are able to determine true properties of materials which allows to easily and accurately distinguish defects from controls and simultaneously define different types of defects involved. POLYM. COMPOS., 2010. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers
Effect of fiber orientation angle on thermal degradation and ablative properties of short‐fiber reinforced EPDM/NBR rubber composites
Authors: Gao Guoxin , Zhang Zhicheng , Zheng Yuansuo , Jin Zhihao 
Published: August 2009

AbstractA series of short aramid fibers reinforced ethylene‐ propylene‐diene terpolymer (EPDM)/acrylonitrile‐butadiene rubber (NBR) composites with designed fiber orientation angle (β) between the short fibers orientation and the ablative surface have been prepared in this work. The influence of β on the thermal degradation and ablation resistance properties of the composites under the oxyacetylene flame is carefully discussed. With the increasing of β, the porosity of the char layer is reduced, whereas its hardness is improved. As a result, the pyrolysis rate (Rp) and the carbonization rate (Rc) are accelerated since the thermal conductivity of the char layer is enlarged after the composites were carbonized. The acceleration of the thermal degradation results in an increasing mass loss during the pyrolysis reaction. However, the erosion rate (RL), mainly caused by the mechanical ablation of the high speed heat flux, is reduced gradually as β increases due to the improved hardness of the char layer. Dominated by the two kinds of ablation methods oppositely as β increases, the mass loss rates (Rm) decreases firstly and then increases gradually. POLYM. COMPOS., 31:1223–1231, 2010. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers
An investigation of particle deposition mechanisms during impregnation of dual‐scale fabrics with micro particle image velocimetry
Authors: Nordlund Markus , Lundström T. Staffan 
Published: August 2009

AbstractInjection moulding processing of composite materials most often includes infiltration of a thermoset resin into a multi‐scale porous fabric. Controlling the fluid flow within the multi‐scale fabric is essential for the quality of the final composite material, since the transport of fluid between regions with different scales is of importance for phenomena such as void formation and filtration of particle doped resins. Hence, the transient flow behaviour in dual scale porous media is investigated in detail with Micro Particle Image Velocimetry. These experiments show that the fluid transport between the two scales can be controlled by the injection velocity. Validation of the measured velocity fields furthermore shows excellent agreement with theory and that transport between the two scales can be substantial at the flow front but negligible up‐stream it. POLYM. COMPOS., 31:1232–1240, 2010. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers
Toughening effects of titanium dioxide nanoparticles on TiO2/epoxy resin nanocomposites
Authors: Carballeira Pablo , Haupert Frank 
Published: August 2009

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of adding different volume concentrations of titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles to an Araldite LY 564 epoxy resin. In order to characterize the nanoparticles toughening effects, compact tension specimens were used to determine the plane strain fracture toughness (KIC). Additionally, elastic modulus, tensile strength, and maximum sustained strain were measured in mechanical tensile tests. Composites were analyzed by means of electronic microscopy, both TEM and SEM, to check the dispersion quality of the nanoparticles in thepolymer matrix and to study the observed toughening mechanisms of the fillers. Addition of TiO2 nanoparticles could simultaneously improve the stiffness and the toughness of the epoxy resin. POLYM. COMPOS., 31:1241–1246, 2010. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers
Prenatal diagnosis and postnatal outcome of fetal spinal defects without Arnold–Chiari II malformation
Authors: Hüsler Margaret R. , Danzer Enrico , Johnson Mark P. , Bebbington Michael , Sutton Leslie , Adzick N. Scott , Wilson R. Douglas 
Published: August 2009

AbstractObjectiveTo determine the prenatal evolution/natural history and postnatal outcome of fetuses diagnosed with a neural tube defect (NTD) lacking the Arnold–Chiari‐II malformation (ACM II).Material and MethodsThis retrospective study reviewed 16 fetuses evaluated with ultrasound (US) and MRI at a single referral center from 1/2000 to 8/2007. Follow‐up studies and available postnatal outcomes were reviewed.ResultsPostpartum diagnosis was terminal myelocystoceles 7/16 (44%); myelomeningoceles (MMCs) 3/16 (19%); lipomyelomeningoceles 2/16(13%); and thoracic myelocystocele 1/16 (6%). Three patients (19%) were lost to follow‐up or termination of pregnancy. Two prenatally diagnosed ‘closed’ NTD were postnatally found to be MMCs. Three of the myelocystoceles had additional omphalocele, bladder extrophy, imperforate anus and spinal defect (OEIS complex). For the total cohort, impaired lower extremity function was seen in 38%, impaired bladder function in 64%, and ventriculoperitoneal shunting in 8%. Four fetuses with a myelocystocele developed hindbrain herniation in the third trimester of pregnancy. The preterm delivery rate was 38%. Five of eight (63%) neonates with postnatally diagnosed myelocystoceles had mothers with a body mass index over 30.ConclusionPrenatal differentiation between closed and open NTD is not always possible. Postnatal outcome of isolated myelocystocele and MMC seems to be more favorable than for an NTD with ACM II (shunt requirement). Incontinence is the major childhood morbidity. Maternal obesity may be a risk factor for closed NTDs. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Gender differences in the use of anxiolytics and antidepressants: a population based study
Authors: Van der Heyden J.H.A. , Gisle L. , Hesse E. , Demarest S. , Drieskens S. , Tafforeau J. 
Published: August 2009

AbstractPurposeIn the majority of studies on determinants of use of anxiolytics and antidepressants a substantially higher consumption is observed among women than among men. We investigated gender differences in the association between the use of anxiolytics and antidepressants and mental health and explored if there are indications of gender differences in inappropriate use of these medicines.MethodsData were from the 2004 Belgian Health Interview Survey, a nationally representative sample of the Belgian population. The analysis was restricted to the population of 15 years and older (n = 11,220). The probability of use of anxiolytics and antidepressants was assessed through logistic regression models by gender and through models including the interaction between gender and mental health.ResultsThe association between the use of antidepressants and mental health did not vary substantially between men and women. Among men the use of anxiolytics showed a strong association with sleeping problems, but not with depressive disorders. Among women the use of anxiolytics was significantly associated with the three mental health conditions that were investigated: depressive disorder, anxiety, and sleeping problems.ConclusionsThe link between mental health and use of anxiolytics differs by gender. Some indications exist for gender differences in inappropriate use of anxiolytics, whereas this does not hold true for the use of antidepressants. Further efforts are needed to increase the awareness of prescribers, policy makers, and the general public on the appropriate use of anxiolytics, especially among women and in the older population. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Alterations of the podocyte proteome in response to high glucose concentrations
Authors: Schordan Sandra , Schordan Eric , Endlich Nicole , Lindenmeyer Maja T. , Meyer‐Schwesinger Catherine , Meyer Tobias N. , Giebel Jürgen , Cohen Clemens D. , Endlich Karlhans , Maurer Martin H. 
Published: August 2009

AbstractDiabetic nephropathy is one of the most common complications of diabetes mellitus and the leading cause of end‐stage renal disease. A reduction in podocyte number has been documented in the kidneys of these patients. To identify the molecular changes in podocytes that are primarily caused by high glucose (HG) concentrations and not by secondary alterations (e.g. glomerular hypertension), we investigated the protein expression profiles in a podocyte cell line under long‐term HG exposure (30 versus 10 mM for 2 wk). Proteins were separated by 2‐DE, and we identified 39 different proteins in 48 spots that were differentially regulated by more than twofold in response to HG concentrations using MALDI‐TOF MS and MASCOT software. These proteins belong to several protein classes, including cytoskeletal proteins and specific annexins (annexins III and VI). Downregulation of annexins III and VI by HG concentrations was confirmed by qRT‐PCR, Western blot, and immunostaining, and was also observed in glomeruli of kidney biopsies from patients with diabetic nephropathy. Our data demonstrate that HG concentrations per se are sufficient to strongly modify the protein expression profile of podocytes, the analysis of which contributes to the identification of novel targets involved in diabetic nephropathy.
Short‐term effects of salt exposure on the maize chloroplast protein pattern
Authors: Zörb Christian , Herbst Ramona , Forreiter Christoph , Schubert Sven 
Published: August 2009

AbstractIt is of fundamental importance to understand the physiological differences leading to salt resistance and to get access to the molecular mechanisms underlying this physiological response. The aim of this work was to investigate the effects of short‐term salt exposure on the proteome of maize chloroplasts in the initial phase of salt stress (up to 4 h). It could be shown that sodium ions accumulate quickly and excessively in chloroplasts in the initial phase of moderate salt stress. A change in the chloroplast protein pattern was observed without a change in water potential of the leaves. 2‐DE revealed that 12 salt‐responsive chloroplast proteins increased while eight chloroplast proteins decreased. Some of the maize chloroplast proteins such as CF1e and a Ca2+‐sensing receptor show a rather transient response for the first 4 h of salt exposure. The enhanced abundance of the ferredoxin NADPH reductase, the 23 kDa polypeptide of the photosystem II, and the FtsH‐like protein might reflect mechanism to attenuate the detrimental effects of Na+ on the photosynthetic machinery. The observed transient increase and subsequent decrease of selected proteins may exhibit a counterbalancing effect of target proteins in this context. Intriguingly, several subunits of the CF1–CF0 complex are unequally affected, whereas others do not respond at all.
Proteomic investigation of the impact of oxygen on the protein profiles of hyaluronic acid‐producing Streptococcus zooepidemicus
Authors: Wu Ting‐Feng , Huang Wei‐Chih , Chen Yi‐Chun , Tsay Yeou‐Guang , Chang Chun‐Sheng 
Published: August 2009

AbstractHyaluronic acid (HA) is a linear and negatively charged polysaccharide regularly used in medicine and cosmetics. Recently Streptococcus zooepidemicus has been exploited in the fermentation industry to produce HA. Many studies showed that higher amounts of HA were produced under aerobic condition compared to anaerobic conditions. To explore the effect of oxygen on the HA synthesis in S. zooepidemicus, 2‐DE was used to compare the proteomes of aerobically and anaerobically fermented bacteria to identify proteins, which might be associated with the influence of oxygen on the HA synthesis. Totally nine pairs of 2‐DE gels collected from three batches were compared and nine overexpressed proteins were observed in aerobically fermented bacteria. These proteins were identified by LC/tandem MS as dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase, UDP‐acetyl‐glucosamine pyrophosphoylase, dihydrolipoamide‐S‐acetyltransferase and acetoin dehydrogenase α and β chains, respectively. These upregulated proteins were involved in acetoin dissimilation, the central carbon metabolism and the HA anabolic pathway, implicating that oxygen might augment the expression of genes that are involved in central energy metabolism, acetoin reutilization and HA biosynthesis to enhance the amount of acetyl‐CoA as such that more acetyl‐CoA can be diverged from the central carbon metabolism to replenish acetyl‐CoA for the HA synthesis.
A close look at human IgG sialylation and subclass distribution after lectin fractionation
Authors: Stadlmann Johannes , Weber Alfred , Pabst Martin , Anderle Heinz , Kunert Renate , J. Ehrlich Hartmut , Peter Schwarz Hans , Altmann Friedrich 
Published: August 2009

AbstractPolyspecific human IgG preparations are indicated for the treatment of primary immunodeficiency disorders associated with defects in humoral immunity. In addition, intraveneous IgG (IVIG) is used to treat patients with autoimmune and systemic inflammatory diseases. Lectin chromatography on Sambucus nigra agglutinin stood at the cradle of the hypothesis that the anti‐inflammatory properties depend on sialylation of the N‐glycans in the Fc region of IgG. A detailed analysis of fractions obtained by lectin chromatography revealed that binding of IVIG is essentially mediated by Fab glycosylation. Moreover, experiments with a monoclonal antibody from a human cell line and IVIG Fc fragments indicated that at least two sialic acids in the Fc region of an antibody are required for lectin binding. Such glycoforms contain either two monosialylated glycans or a disialylated glycan and constitute 1% or less of the total human IgG. Arguably this small proportion holds the entire anti‐inflammatory potency. A new mass spectrometric quantification method of IgG subclass ratio revealed that the IVIG Fc preparation essentially consists of IgG1. This observation may be relevant when studying the effect of human Fc in murine models of inflammation because mouse IgG subclasses differ substantially in their interaction with receptors.
Comparison of two genetically related Entamoeba histolytica cell lines derived from the same isolate with different pathogenic properties
Authors: Biller Laura , Schmidt Hendrik , Krause Eberhard , Gelhaus Christoph , Matthiesen Jenny , Handal Ghassan , Lotter Hannelore , Janssen Ottmar , Tannich Egbert , Bruchhaus Iris 
Published: August 2009

AbstractEntamoeba histolytica is known for its extraordinary capacity to destroy human tissues, leading to invasive diseases such as ulcerative colitis or extra‐intestinal abscesses. In order to identify the virulence factors of this parasite phenotypes and proteomes of two recently identified genetically related cell lines (A and B), derived from the laboratory E. histolytica isolate HM‐1:IMSS, were compared. Both cell lines are indistinguishable on the basis of highly polymorphic tandem repeat DNA sequences. However, cell line A is incapable to induce liver abscesses in experimentally infected rodents, whereas cell line B provokes considerable abscesses. Phenotypic analyses revealed increased hemolytic activity, lower growth rate, smaller cell size, reduced cysteine peptidase activity and lower resistance to nitric oxide stress for cell line A. In contrast, no differences between the two cell lines were found for cytopathic activity, erythrophagocytosis, digestion of erythrocytes or resistance to complement, hydrogen peroxide and superoxide radical anions. Proteomic comparison by 2‐D DIGE followed by MS, identified a total of 21 proteins with higher abundance in cell line A and ten proteins with higher abundance in cell line B. Remarkably, three differentially up‐regulated antioxidants were exclusively found in the pathogenic cell line B. Notably, only for two differentially regulated proteins, namely a Fe‐hydrogenase and a C2 domain protein, a similar type was found at the level of transcription. Summarized, a defined set of different proteins could be identified between cell lines A and B. These molecules may have an important role in amoeba pathogenicity.
A survey of the Arabidopsis thaliana mitochondrial phosphoproteome
Authors: Ito Jun , Taylor Nicolas L. , Castleden Ian , Weckwerth Wolfram , Millar A. Harvey , Heazlewood Joshua L. 
Published: August 2009

AbstractPlant mitochondria play central roles in cellular energy production, metabolism and stress responses. Recent phosphoproteomic studies in mammalian and yeast mitochondria have presented evidence indicating that protein phosphorylation is a likely regulatory mechanism across a broad range of important mitochondrial processes. This study investigated protein phosphorylation in purified mitochondria from cell suspensions of the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana using affinity enrichment and proteomic tools. Eighteen putative phosphoproteins consisting of mitochondrial metabolic enzymes, HSPs, a protease and several proteins of unknown function were detected on 2‐DE separations of Arabidopsis mitochondrial proteins and affinity‐enriched phosphoproteins using the Pro‐Q Diamond phospho‐specific in‐gel dye. Comparisons with mitochondrial phosphoproteomes of yeast and mouse indicate that these three species share few validated phosphoproteins. Phosphorylation sites for seven of the eighteen mitochondrial proteins were characterized by titanium dioxide enrichment and MS/MS. In the process, 71 phosphopeptides from Arabidopsis proteins which are not present in mitochondria but found as contaminants in various types of mitochondrial preparations were also identified, indicating the low level of phosphorylation of mitochondrial components compared with other cellular components in Arabidopsis. Information gained from this study provides a better understanding of protein phosphorylation at both the subcellular and the cellular level in Arabidopsis.
Regulation of stathmin phosphorylation in mouse liver progenitor‐29 cells during proteasome inhibition
Authors: Santamaría Enrique , Mora Maria I. , Muñoz Javier , Sánchez‐Quiles Virginia , Fernández‐Irigoyen Joaquín , Prieto Jesús , Corrales Fernando J. 
Published: August 2009

AbstractProteasome inhibitors are potential therapeutic agents in the treatment of hepatocarcinoma and other liver diseases. The analysis of alternative protein phosphorylation states might contribute to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of proteasome inhibitor‐induced apoptosis. We have investigated the response of mouse liver progenitor‐29 (MLP‐29) cells to MG132 using a combination of phosphoprotein affinity chromatography, DIGE, and nano LC‐MS/MS. Thirteen unique deregulated phosphoproteins involved in chaperone activity, stress response, mRNA processing and cell cycle control were unambiguously identified. Alterations in NDRG1 and stathmin suggest new mechanisms associated to proteasome inhibitor‐induced apoptosis in MLP‐29 cells. Particularly, a transient modification of the phosphorylation state of Ser16, Ser25 and Ser38, which are involved in the regulation of stathmin activity, was detected in three distinct isoforms upon proteasome inhibition. The parallel deregulation of calcium/calmodulin‐activated protein kinase II, extracellular regulated kinase‐1/2 and cyclin‐dependent kinase‐2, might explain the modified phosphorylation pattern of stathmin. Interestingly, stathmin phosphorylation profile was also modified in response to epoxomicin treatment, a more specific proteasome inhibitor. In summary, we report here data supporting that regulation of NDRG1 and stathmin by phosphorylation at specific Ser/Thr residues may participate in the cellular response induced by proteasome inhibitors.
Assessing the use of thermal treatment to preserve the intact proteomes of post‐mortem heart and brain tissue
Authors: Robinson Aisling A. , Westbrook Jules A. , English Jane A. , Borén Mats , Dunn Michael J. 
Published: August 2009

AbstractProtein degradation that occurs in tissue during post‐mortem interval or sample preparation is problematic in quantitative analyses as confounding variables may arise. Ideally, such artefacts should be prevented by preserving the native proteome during sample preparation. We assessed the efficacy of thermal treatment (TT) to preserve the intact proteome of mouse heart and brain tissue in comparison to standard snap‐freezing with liquid nitrogen (LN). Tissue samples were collected, either snap frozen (LN), subjected to TT, or snap frozen followed by thermal treatment, and subsequently analysed by 2‐DE. In heart tissue, following quantitative image analysis, we observed 77 proteins that were significantly altered across the three treatment groups (ANOVA, p<0.05). Principal component and clustering analyses revealed LN and TT to be equally beneficial. These findings were confirmed by MS identification of the significantly altered proteins. In brain tissue, 189 proteins were significantly differentially expressed across the three treatment groups (ANOVA, p<0.05). Brain tissue appeared to be more responsive to TT than heart and distinct clusters of differentially expressed proteins were observed across treatments. Overall, TT of brain tissue appears to have beneficial effects on protein stabilisation during sample preparation with preservation of high‐molecular‐weight proteins and reduction in protein fragmentation.