bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Multiple trauma and mental health in former Ugandan child soldiers
Authors: Klasen Fionna , Oettingen Gabriele , Daniels Judith , Adam Hubertus 
Published: September 2010

AbstractThe present study examines the effect of war and domestic violence on the mental health of child soldiers in a sample consisting of 330 former Ugandan child soldiers (age: 11–17 years, female: 49%). All children had experienced at least 1 war‐related event and 78% were additionally exposed to at least 1 incident of domestic violence. Prevalences of posttraumatic stress disorder and major depressive disorder were 33%, and 36%, respectively. Behavioral and emotional problems above clinical cutoff were measured in 61%. No gender differences were found regarding mental health outcomes. War experience and domestic violence were significantly associated with all mental health outcomes. The authors' findings point to the detrimental effects of domestic violence in addition to traumatizing war experiences in child soldiers.
Synthesis, Characterization and Field‐Effect Transistor Performance of Poly[2,6‐bis(3‐alkylthiophen‐2‐yl)benzo[1,2‐b;4,5‐b′]diselenophene]s
Authors: Leenen Mark A.M. , Vian Fiona , Cucinotta Fabio , Pisula Wojciech , Thiem Heiko , Anselmann Ralf , De Cola Luisa 
Published: September 2010

AbstractBenzo[1,2‐b:4,5‐b′]diselenophene (BDS) has been incorporated for the first time in a polymer. bis(Stannyl)‐functionalized BDS was copolymerized with 3,3′‐bis(alkyl)‐5,5′‐bithiophenes (dodecyl and tetradecyl side chains) through Stille copolymerization, to yield p‐type polymer semiconductors for organic field‐effect transistor application. The electronic and structural effect of the selenium atoms, compared to sulphur atoms in analogous copolymers, is described. The molecular weight has a decisive influence on the photophysical properties and supramolecular ordering, expressed in field‐effect transistor measurements. Saturation mobilities around 10−2 cm2 · V−1s−1 are obtained on standard silicon substrates. magnified image
Disulfide‐Crosslinked Biomimetic Micelles: Formation, Thiol Reactivity and Cytotoxicity Behavior
Authors: Lv Li‐Ping , Xu Jian‐Ping , Liu Xiang‐Sheng , Liu Gong‐Yan , Yang Xuan , Ji Jian 
Published: September 2010

AbstractA series of amphiphilic random copolymers with MPC as the hydrophilic segment, SMA as the hydrophobic segment and GMA as the reactive segment were synthesized. Polymeric micelles with different sizes were obtained through tuning the hydrophilic/hydrophobic segment ratios in the copolymers. The formation and properties of these micelles were investigated using 1H NMR spectroscopy, fluorescence probe techniques and DLS. The reactive polymeric micelles were crosslinked with a di‐functional reagent. The crosslinked micelles showed improved stability and thiol reactivity. Cell viability tests indicated that the bioinspired phosphorylcholine‐based micelles showed excellent biocompatibility, thus promising great potential for applications in the field of nanocarrier systems. magnified image
A New Halogen‐Free Flame Retardant Based on 9,10‐Dihydro‐9‐oxa‐10‐phosphaphenanthrene‐10‐oxide for Epoxy Resins and their Carbon Fiber Composites for the Automotive and Aviation Industries
Authors: Perret Birgit , Schartel Bernhard , Stöß Kai , Ciesielski Michael , Diederichs Jan , Döring Manfred , Krämer Johannes , Altstädt Volker 
Published: September 2010

AbstractThe pyrolysis and fire behavior of halogen‐free flame‐retarded DGEBA/DMC, RTM6 and their corresponding 60 vol.‐% carbon fibers (CF) composites were investigated. A novel phosphorous compound (DOPI) was used. Its action is dependent on the epoxy matrix. DGEBA/DMC and DOPI decompose independently of each other. Only flame inhibition occurs in the gas phase. RTM6 shows flame inhibition and a condensed phase interaction increasing charring. Both mechanisms decrease with increasing irradiance, whereas in RTM6‐CF charring is suppressed at low ones. RTM6 + DOPI shows a higher LOI (34.2%) than DGEBA/DMC + DOPI and a V‐0 classification in UL 94. Adding CF only enhances the LOI, DOPI + CF leads to a superposition in LOI for DGEBA/DMC‐CF + DOPI (31.8%, V‐0) and a synergism for RTM6‐CF + DOPI (47.7%, V‐0). magnified image
Graphene Nanocomposites Prepared From Blends of Polymer Latex with Chemically Reduced Graphite Oxide Dispersions
Authors: Wissert Rainer , Steurer Peter , Schopp Stephanie , Thomann Ralf , Mülhaupt Rolf 
Published: September 2010

AbstractGraphene nanocomposites are prepared by chemical reduction of graphite oxide (GO) dispersion with vitamin C in the presence of SAN latex followed by melt compounding. In this process, GO is well dispersed in an aqueous SAN emulsion before reduction. During reduction the SAN latex is adsorbed on the graphene sheets of the chemically reduced GO (CRGO). After melt compounding of such hybrid particles with SAN, the nanocomposites show uniform dispersion of CRGO in SAN resulting in improved stiffness with respect to SAN/graphite. The reduction of GO in the presence of polymer latex represents a versatile route to graphene masterbatches and does not require either drying of GO or thermal GO expansion at high temperatures. magnified image
Dynamic in vivo changes in the activities of gelatinases, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) in buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) uterine luminal fluid during estrous cycle and early pregnancy
Authors: Roy Sudhir C. , Ghosh Jyotirmoy 
Published: September 2010

AbstractIn ruminants, the phenomenon of endometrial tissue remodeling during the estrous cycle and early pregnancy is not fully understood. In this report, the occurrence of tissue remodeling, if any, in buffalo endometrium was studied by detecting gelatinases, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs); the key regulators of tissue remodeling, in uterine luminal fluids (ULF) of cycling and early pregnant (approx. 43–65 days) buffaloes. Each stage of the estrous cycle and pregnant ULF demonstrated a unique profile of gelatinase activities compared to serum/follicular fluid, with a major gelatinase band of 60 kDa with highest activity in early‐luteal stage. In addition to a 32 kDa uterus‐specific gelatinase band detected in both non‐pregnant and pregnant ULFs, the pregnant ULF displayed three new gelatinase bands of 86, 78, and 57 kDa. Western blot technique confirmed the presence of MMP‐2 (54 kDa), MMP‐9 (76/73 kDa), TIMP‐1 (32 kDa), TIMP‐2(20 kDa), and two molecular weight forms (31 and 22 kDa) of TIMP‐3 in buffalo ULF with varying band intensities. Highest MMP‐2 and MMP‐9 activities were observed in follicular and early‐luteal stage ULFs, respectively. Highest TIMP‐1 activity was observed in early‐luteal ULF. Interestingly, TIMP‐2 activity was only detected in mid‐luteal, late‐luteal, and follicular stage ULFs with significantly increasing intensities. Highest activities of 31 and 22 kDa TIMP‐3 were associated with late‐luteal and early‐luteal stage ULFs, respectively. The varied activities of MMPs and TIMPs in buffalo ULF during the estrous cycle and early pregnancy might be a reflection of dynamic structural remodeling of the endometrium and/or developing conceptus. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 77:944–953, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Rapid three‐dimensional multicomponent relaxation imaging of the cervical spinal cord
Authors: Kolind Shannon H. , Deoni Sean C. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractCurrently, little is known about the pathology of myelin in spinal cord disease due to the technical challenges of specifically measuring myelin content noninvasively. Multicomponent relaxometry allows estimation of the myelin water fraction, which is related to myelin content. However, conventional multiple‐echo spin–echo‐based multicomponent relaxometry techniques require prohibitively long acquisition times, lack spatial coverage, and are sensitive to artifacts common in spinal cord imaging. Multicomponent driven equilibrium single pulse observation of T1 and T2 (mcDESPOT) offers a promising alternative to conventional multicomponent relaxometry techniques. The goal of this pilot study was to assess the efficacy of mcDESPOT for obtaining high spatial resolution spinal cord myelin water fraction data covering the entire cervical spinal cord. Myelin water fraction values were found to be highly reproducible between subjects and over time but varied considerably along the length of the cord. Other relaxation characteristics that relate to tissue structure and health were also reliably measured. Magn Reson Med, 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A randomized trial of coenzyme Q10 in mitochondrial disorders
Authors: Glover Elisa I. , Martin Joan , Maher Amy , Thornhill Rebecca E. , Moran Gerald R. , Tarnopolsky Mark A. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractCase reports and open‐label studies suggest that coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) treatment may have beneficial effects in mitochondrial disease patients; however, controlled trials are warranted to clinically prove its effectiveness. Thirty patients with mitochondrial cytopathy received 1200 mg/day CoQ10 for 60 days in a randomized, double‐blind, cross‐over trial. Blood lactate, urinary markers of oxidative stress, body composition, activities of daily living, quality of life, forearm handgrip strength and oxygen desaturation, cycle exercise cardiorespiratory variables, and brain metabolites were measured. CoQ10 treatment attenuated the rise in lactate after cycle ergometry, increased (∽1.93 ml) VO2/kg lean mass after 5 minutes of cycling (P < 0.005), and decreased gray matter choline‐containing compounds (P < 0.05). Sixty days of moderate‐ to high‐dose CoQ10 treatment had minor effects on cycle exercise aerobic capacity and post‐exercise lactate but did not affect other clinically relevant variables such as strength or resting lactate. Muscle Nerve, 2010
Properties of extensor digitorum longus muscle and skinned fibers from adult and aged male and female Actn3 knockout mice
Authors: Chan Stephen , Seto Jane T. , Houweling Peter J. , Yang Nan , North Kathryn N. , Head Stewart I. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractAbsence of α‐actinin‐3, encoded by the ACTN3 “speed gene,” is associated with poorer sprinting performance in athletes and a slowing of relaxation in fast‐twitch muscles of Actn3 knockout (KO) mice. Our first aim was to investigate, at the individual‐fiber level, possible mechanisms for this slowed relaxation. Our second aim was to characterize the contractile properties of whole extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscles from KO mice by age and gender. We examined caffeine‐induced Ca2+ release in mechanically skinned EDL fibers from KO mice, and measured isolated whole EDL contractile properties. The sarcoplasmic reticulum of KO muscle fibers loaded Ca2+ more slowly than that of wild‐types (WTs). Whole KO EDL muscles had longer twitch and tetanus relaxation times than WTs, and reduced mass and cross‐sectional area. These effects occurred in both male and female mice, but they diminished with age. These changes in KO muscles and fibers help to explain the effects of α‐actinin‐3 deficiency observed in athletes. Muscle Nerve, 2011
Muscle ultrasound quantifies the rate of reduction of muscle thickness in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: Lee Christopher D. , Song Yanna , Peltier Amanda C. , Jarquin‐Valdivia Adrian A. , Donofrio Peter D. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractSensitive biomarkers are lacking in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Muscle ultrasound (MUS) can quantify muscle thickness and echointensity (EI). We evaluated the rate of muscle atrophy in ALS using MUS. Ten patients had serial unilateral MUS examination of biceps, wrist flexors, and tibialis anterior over 6 months. The rates of change of muscle thickness and EI were determined. Muscle thickness declined at a mean rate of −0.663 mm/month (P = 0.0014), greatest in biceps. Muscle thickness correlated moderately with ALSFRS‐R, grip dynamometry, and body weight. There was no change in EI. MUS can quantify the rate of reduction in muscle thickness in ALS patients. The lack of strong correlation between muscle thickness and standard ALS measures may reflect limited sensitivity in these conventional measures. The rate of change of muscle thickness merits further study as a potential biomarker in ALS, particularly when considering biceps brachii as a candidate. Muscle Nerve, 2010
Monte Carlo study of a two‐compartment exchange model of diffusion
Authors: Fieremans Els , Novikov Dmitry S. , Jensen Jens H. , Helpern Joseph A. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractMultisite exchange models have been applied frequently to quantify measurements of transverse relaxation and diffusion in living tissues. Although the simplicity of such models is attractive, the precise relationship of the model parameters to tissue properties may be difficult to ascertain. Here, we investigate numerically a two‐compartment exchange (Kärger) model as applied to diffusion in a system of randomly packed identical parallel cylinders with permeable walls, representing cells with permeable membranes, that may serve particularly as a model for axons in the white matter of the brain. By performing Monte Carlo simulations of restricted diffusion, we show that the Kärger model may provide a reasonable coarse‐grained description of the diffusion‐weighted signal in the long time limit, as long as the cell membranes are sufficiently impermeable, i.e. whenever the residence time in a cell is much longer than the time it takes to diffuse across it. For larger permeabilities, the exchange time obtained from fitting to the Kärger model overestimates the actual exchange time, leading to an underestimated value of cell membrane permeability. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A system and mathematical framework to model shear flow effects in biomedical DW‐imaging and spectroscopy
Authors: Nevo Uri , Özarslan Evren , Komlosh Michal E. , Koay Cheng Guan , Sarlls Joelle E. , Basser Peter J. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractThe pulsed‐field gradient (PFG) MR experiment enables one to measure particle displacements, velocities, and even higher moments of complex fluid motions. In diffusion‐weighted MRI (DWI) in living tissue, where the PFG MRI experiment is used to measure diffusion, Brownian motion is assumed to dominate the displacements causing the observed signal loss. However, motions of water molecules caused by various active biological processes occurring at different length and time scales may also cause additional dephasing of magnetization and signal loss. To help understand their relative effects on the DWI signal attenuation, we used an integrated experimental and theoretical framework: a Rheo‐NMR, which served as an experimental model system to precisely prescribe a microscopic velocity distribution; and a mathematical model that relates the DW signal intensity in the Rheo‐NMR to experimental parameters that characterize the impressed velocity field. A technical innovation reported here is our use of ‘natural’ (in this case, polar) coordinates both to simplify the description the fluid motion within the Couette cell of the Rheo‐NMR, as well as to acquire and reconstruct magnitude and phase MR images obtained within it. We use this integrated model system to demonstrate how shear flows appears as pseudo‐diffusion in magnitude DW MR signals obtained using PFG spin‐echo (PGSE) NMR and MRI sequences. Our results lead us to reinterpret the possible causes of signal loss in DWI in vivo, in particular to revise and generalize the previous notion of intra‐voxel incoherent motion (IVIM) in order to describe activity driven flows that appear as pseudo‐diffusion over multiple length and time scales in living tissues. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
TNF‐related apoptosis‐inducing ligand cooperates with NSAIDs via activated Wnt signalling in (pre)malignant colon cells
Authors: Heijink Dianne M , Jalving Mathilde , Oosterhuis Dorenda , Sloots Ineke A , Koster Roelof , Hollema Harry , Kleibeuker Jan H , Koornstra Jan J , de Vries Elisabeth GE , de Jong Steven 
Published: September 2010

AbstractTNF‐related apoptosis‐inducing ligand (TRAIL) receptor agonistic agents and non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are interesting agents for the chemoprevention and treatment of colorectal cancer. We investigated whether NSAIDs sensitize colon cancer and adenoma cell lines and ex vivo cultured human adenomas to recombinant human (rh)TRAIL. Involvement of the crucial Wnt signalling pathway in the sensitization of colon cancer cells was examined. Five colon cancer and two adenoma cell lines, human ex vivo adenomas and normal colonic epithelium were treated with aspirin or sulindac combined with rhTRAIL. Apoptosis levels, expression of intracellular proteins and TRAIL receptor membrane expression were assessed. Ls174T cells stably transfected with an inducible dominant negative TCF‐4 (dnTCF‐4) construct served to analyse the role of Wnt pathway activation. Both rhTRAIL‐sensitive and ‐resistant colon cancer cell lines were strongly sensitized to rhTRAIL by aspirin (maximum enhancement ratio, 7.1). Remarkably, in adenoma cell lines sulindac enhanced rhTRAIL‐induced apoptosis most effectively (maximum enhancement ratio, 2.5). Although membrane TRAIL receptor expression was not affected by NSAIDs, caspase‐8 activation was enhanced by combinational treatment. Several proteins from different biological pathways were affected by NSAIDs, indicating complex mechanisms of sensitization. Elimination of TCF‐4 completely blocked the sensitizing effect in colon cancer cells. In ex vivo adenomas the combination of sulindac and rhTRAIL increased apoptosis from 18.4% (sulindac) and 17.8% (rhTRAIL) to 28.0% (p = 0.003 and p = 0.005, respectively). It was concluded that NSAID‐induced sensitization to rhTRAIL requires TCF‐4 activity. Thus, the combination of TRAIL‐receptor agonistic agents and NSAIDs is a potentially attractive treatment option for (pre)malignant tumours with constitutively active Wnt signalling, such as colorectal tumours. Copyright © 2010 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The GIST paradigm: lessons for other kinase‐driven cancers
Authors: Antonescu Cristina R 
Published: September 2010

AbstractGastrointestinal stromal tumour (GIST) is the most common sarcoma of the intestinal tract, known to be notoriously refractory to conventional chemotherapy or radiation. It is an ideal solid tumour model to apply our understanding from aberrant signal transduction to drug development, since nearly all tumours have a mutation in the KIT or, less often, the PDGFRA or BRAF genes. The constitutively activated KIT and PDGFRA oncoproteins serve as crucial diagnostic and therapeutic targets. The discovery of oncogenic KIT activation as a central mechanism of GIST pathogenesis suggested that inhibiting or blocking KIT signalling might be the milestone in the targeted therapy of GISTs. Indeed, imatinib mesylate inhibits KIT kinase activity and represents the front‐line drug for the treatment of unresectable and advanced GISTs, achieving a partial response or stable disease in about 80% of patients with metastatic GIST. KIT mutation status has a significant impact on treatment response, emerging in recent years as a leading paradigm for genotype‐driven targeted therapy. In this review, parallels with other models in oncology that share their addiction to a particular mutationally activated kinase are contrasted. A better understanding of oncogene addiction as a common theme across tumours of diverse histologies underlies the clinical success of targeting such kinases with several selective kinase inhibitors. Also remarkable is the similarity displayed in the mechanisms of drug failure after a successful but temporary clinical response to kinase inhibition. Reactivation of the same oncogenic kinase, often by acquisition of second site mutations, is another emerging paradigm of secondary resistance in these tumour models. The complexity of polyclonal resistance in imatinib‐resistant patients argues that single next‐generation kinase inhibitors will not be beneficial in all mutant clones. Other broad therapeutic strategies could include combination of kinase inhibitors with targeting KIT downstream targets, such as PI3‐K or MAPK/MEK inhibitors. Copyright © 2010 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Origin of the bubble defect in the extrusion coating process
Authors: Sollogoub C. , Montmitonnet P. , Demay Y. , Agassant J.F. , Deparis P. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractDuring the extrusion coating process, a polymer film is extruded through a flat die, stretched in air, then coated on a substrate (steel sheet in our case) in a laminator consisting of a chill roll and a flexible pressure roll. The nip, i.e., the area formed by the contact between the pressure and the chill rolls, constitutes the very heart of the extrusion coating process. Indeed, in this region, some of the most critical properties, such as adhesion, barrier properties, optical properties, are achieved. The thermomechanical analysis of Sollogoub et al., Polym. Eng. Sci., 48, 1634 (2008), was used to study the origin of the bubble defect appearing during the extrusion coating process. First, we investigate the influence of process parameters on the bubble defect. Then, we compute the thermomechanical parameters of the process, and finally, we derive a realistic bubble defect appearance criterion. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2011. © 2010 Society of Plastics Engineers
Cold‐cured epoxy‐silica hybrids: Effects of large variation in specimen thickness on the evolution of the Tg and related properties
Authors: Lettieri M. , Lionetto F. , Frigione M. , Prezzi L. , Mascia L. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractExperimental organic–inorganic hybrid systems, based on silane functionalized difunctional and trifunctional epoxy resins and an alkoxysilane precursor mixture, containing small amounts of ammonium molybdate, are evaluated for potential use as adhesives cured at ambient temperatures. The precursor resin mixtures are found to exhibit a large increase in viscosity with a pseudoplastic behavior. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis shows the existence of siloxane domains with nanometric dimensions, except for the presence of microscopic molybdate particles. By monitoring the evolution of the glass transition temperature (Tg) during curing, varying the thickness of the specimens between 0.2 and 4.5 mm, it is found that the organic–inorganic hybrids display a significant increase in the final Tg over the parent unmodified epoxy resins, particularly in thin specimens and when ammonium molybdate is added. Small‐angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS) spectra show that the dimensions and typographic features of thick and thin specimens are similar, both containing an agglomeration of primary particles of 5–6 nm. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2011. © 2010 Society of Plastics Engineers
Improving the sensitivity of MASCOT search results validation by combining new features with Bayesian nonparametric model
Authors: Ma Jie , Zhang Jiyang , Wu Songfeng , Li Dong , Zhu Yunping , He Fuchu 
Published: September 2010

AbstractThe probability‐based search engine MASCOT has been widely used to identify peptides and proteins in shotgun proteomic research. Most subsequent quality control methods filter out ambiguous assignments according to the ion score and thresholds provided by MASCOT. On the basis of target‐decoy database search strategy, we evaluated the performance of several filter methods on MASCOT search results and demonstrated that using filter boundaries on two‐dimensional feature spaces, the MASCOT ion score and its relative score can improve the sensitivity of the filter process. Furthermore, using a linear combination of several characteristics of the assigned peptides, including the MASCOT scores, 15 previously employed features, and some newly introduced features, we applied a Bayesian nonparametric model to MASCOT search results and validated more correctly identified peptides in control and complex data sets than those could be validated by empirical score thresholds.